International Building Codes:

Occupancy Group: Sprinklers: Approved sprinkler system required:

o o o

M Mercantile

with floor area exceeding 12,000 sq. feet More than three stories in height When the combined area of all floors and mezzanines exceed 24,000 sq. feet

o where storage or merchandise is in high-piled or rack storage arrays o A floor having an occupant load of 30 or more located more than 55 ft. above grade o Any story or basement greater than 1500 sq. feet in area without openings to the exterior o Most underground portions where occupancy occurs more than 30 feet below the lowest level of exit discharge Unlimited area when:
o

sprinklered throughout and surrounded on all sides by public ways or yards not less than 60 feet in width

o non-combustible construction used for rack storage facilities and that do not have access by the public Basements: o a single-story basement is not included in area calculations, provided that the basement area does not exceed the area permitted for a one-story building Excess Frontage:
o

If more than 25% of the building perimeter fronts on a street or open space at least 20 feet wide that is accessible to firefighting vehicles, the tabulated area limitations below may be increased according to the following table: Width of Frontage Percent Area Increase for Each

20 22 24 26 28 30 or wider Height and Area Table:

1% of Frontage in Excess of 25% 0.67% 0.73% 0.80% 0.87% 0.93% 1.00%

Allen, E., & Iano, J. (2002). The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design". New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.