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National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act No. 103 of 1977)

Regulations

Part A : Administration

A20. Classification and designation of occupancies

 

(1) The occupancy of any building shall be classified and designated according to the appropriate occupancy class given in column 1 of Table 1 and such classification shall reflect the primary function of such building: Provided that, in any building divided into two or more areas not having the same primary function, the occupancy of each such area shall be separately classified.

 

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of subregulation (1), any area in any building which is used for any purpose ancillary to that of any occupancy classification contemplated in subregulation (1) shall, subject to adequate facilities and safety measures being provided, not be classified as a separate occupancy.

 

(3) Any room or space used for the storage or processing of flammable liquids shall not be deemed to be a J1 occupancy as herein defined if—
(a) such liquid is stored in the fuel tank of any engine, motor vehicle, boat or lawnmower;
(b) the quantity of liquid to be stored or handled in such room does not exceed 40 litres; or
(c) the quantity contemplated in paragraph (b) exceeds 40 litres but does not exceed 200 litres and the closed cup flash point of such liquid is above 40 °C.

 

TABLE 1 - OCCUPANCY OR BUILDING CLASSIFICATION

1

2

Class of occupancy of building

Occupancy

A1

Entertainment and public assembly

Occupancy where persons gather to eat, drink, dance or participate in other recretion.

A2

Theatrical and indoor sport

Occupancy where persons gather for the viewing of theatrical, operatic, orchestral, choral, cinematographical or sport performances

A3

Places of instruction

Occupancy where school children, students or other persons assemble for the purpose of tuition or learning

A4

Worship

Occupancy where persons assemble for the purpose of worshipping

A5

Outdoor sport

Occupancy where persons view outdoor sport events

B1

High risk commercial service

Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where either the material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions.

B2

Moderate risk commercial service

Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where either the material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause explosions.

B3

Low risk commercial service

Occupancy where a non-industrial process is carried out and where neither the material handled nor the process carried out falls into the high or moderate risk caregory

C1

Exhibition hall

Occupancy where goods are displayed primarily for viewing by the public.

C2

Museum

Occupancy comprising a museum, art gallery or library.

D1

High risk industrial

Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where either the material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions.

D2

Moderate risk industrial

Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where either the material handled or the process carried out is liable, in the event of fire, to cause combustion with moderate rapidity but is not likely to give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions.

D3

Low risk industrial

Occupancy where an industrial process is carried out and where neither the material handled nor the process carried out falls into the high or moderate risk category.

D4

Plant room

Occupancy comprising usually unattended mechanical or electrical services necessary for the running or a building.

E1

Place of detention

Occupancy where people are detained for punitive or corrective reasons or because of their mental condition.

E2

Hospital

Occupancy where people are cared for or treated because of physical or mental disabilities and where they are generally bed-ridden.

E3

Other institutional (residential)

Occupancy where groups of people who either are not fully fit, or who are restricted in their movements or their ability to make decisions, reside and are cared for

E4

Health care

Occupancy which is a common place of long term or transient living for a number of unrelated persons consisting of a single unit on its own site who, due to varying degrees of incapacity, are provided with personal care services or are undergoing medical treatment.

F1

Large shop

Occupancy where merchandise is displayed and offered for sale to the public and the floor area exceeds 250m2 .

F2

Small shop

Occupancy where merchandise is displayed and offered for sale to the public and the floor area does not exceed 250m2.

F3

Wholesaler's store

Occupancy where goods are displayed and stored and where only a limited selected group of persons is present at any one time.

G1

Offices

Occupancy comprising offices, banks, consulting rooms and other similar usage.

H1

Hotel

Occupancy where persons rent furnished rooms, not being dwelling units.

H2

Dormitory

Occupancy where groups of people are accommodated in one room.

H3

Domestic residence

Occupancy consisting of two or more dwelling units on a single site.

H4

Dwelling house

Occupancy consisting of a dwelling unit on its own site, including a garage and other domestic outbuildings, if any.

H5

Hospitality

Occupancy where unrelated persons rent furnished rooms on a transient basis within a dwelling house or domestic residence with sleeping accommodation for not more than 16 persons within a dwelling unit.

J1

High risk storage

Occupancy where material is stored and where the stored material is liable, in the event of fire, to cause combustion with extreme rapidity or give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions.

J2

Moderate risk storage

Occupancy where material is stored and where the stored material is liable, in the event of fire, to cause combustion with moderate rapidity but is not likely to give rise to poisonous fumes, or cause explosions.

J3

Low risk storage

Occupancy where material is stored does not fall into the high or moderate risk category.

J4

Parking garage

Occupancy used for storing or parking of more than 10 motor vehicles.

 

[Regulation A20 Table 1 amended by regulation 71 of Notice No. R. 574 of 2008)]