The IBC (International Building Code) Mandates allowable areas for buildings, adopted through a majority of the US. It tells us maximum square footage, height, and stories.
Here we will give an overview of some of the common requirements that occur for a distillery type of building.
F-1 Occupancy
You’re distillery, or a portion of your distillery may be an F-1 (Moderate Hazard Factory) occupancy, if remaining under the MAQ (Maximum Allowable quantities) in a sprinklered building. Under 2021 IBC and newer codes, it also may be an F-1 occupancy even when exceeding MAQ’s, if the AHJ chooses to utilize the newer IBC distillery exceptions (2021 IBC 307.1.1 #18) and override the IFC.
If it is determined to be an F-1 occupancy, the following allowable areas apply:
These allowable areas mentioned are all for a type V-B construction type, which is the least restrictive building type, meaning it can be built out of any material, steel, or wood, without any fire protection of structural members (like fireproofing spray, etc). Another common construction type we often see for distilleries is type II-B, which is all steel construction, but not fire protected steel, for example a pre-engineered metal warehouse type of building.
H-3 Occupancy
If you exceed the MAQs of 240 gal., or under 2021 and newer IBC, if the AHJ determines you to be H-3 based on the IFC mentioning that it should be H-3 (High Hazard Occupancy) when exceeding MAQ’s, then you’ll have an H-3 occupancy.
In a type V-B building, you’ll have an allowable area of 5,000 sf for the H-3 occupancy, regardless if its 1 story or multistory. Non sprinklered doesn’t apply because you cannot have an H-3 occupancy w/o sprinklers.
A-2 or B Occupancy
You’re tasting room/ bar/ event space will either be an A-2 or B occupancy. It will be A-2 (Assembly occupancy) if exceeding 49 occupants, and can be B (business occupancy) if remaining 49 and under within the space.
A sprinklered A-2 occupancy, type V-B, single story will be 24,000 sf max, and a sprinklered B occupancy, type V-B single story will be 36,000 sf max.
S-1 (Barrel Storage)
Under 2021 and newer IBC, Buildings, or portions of buildings solely for the purpose of storing alcohol in casks/barrels are classified as an S-1 occupancy. Under pre-21, if you have a barrel storage area/ facility, which would easily exceed MAQ’s, it would be an H-3 occupancy.
A single story, sprinklered, type V-B barrel storage building would have an allowable area of 36,000 sf.
Mixed Use
Many buildings, especially distilleries have multiple occupancies within them. The code does allow provisions for mixed use buildings, to be separated or non separated.
In many cases, we can utilize the non-separated approach, meaning that there is no fire separation needed between occupancies. In order to do this, we must simply demonstrate that the combined area of the multiple occupancies meet the most restrictive of those occupancies.
For example, if you have a B occupancy (36,000 sf allowable area), and an F-1 occupancy (34,000 sf allowable area) next to eachother, you can be compliant with no separation between them as long as the combined actual square footage is under 34,000 sf. Height, stories and alarm requirements also must meet most restrictive.
For H-3, though, you are prohibited from being non-separated and must have a fire separation between H-3 and all other occupancies.
For more information, check out the IBC, or contact [email protected] for code consulting questions and more!
