Interpretation #: SBCD-2023-29 [2014 IBC-304.1]

Building or Fire Safety Law Interpreted

675 IAC 13-2.6 2014 Indiana Building Code, Section 304.1 Business Group B. Business Group B occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for office, professional or service-type transactions, including storage of records and accounts. Business occupancies shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Issue

Whether a building or structure in Business Group B that is utilized for "training and skill development" that is "not within a school or academic program" is limited by the age of the occupants?

Interpretation of the State Building Commissioner

No, a building or structure in Business Group B that is utilized for "training and skill development" that is "not within a school or academic program" is not limited by the age of the occupants.

Rationale

Within Section 304.1, there is a non-exhaustive list of "business occupancies" that are provided. Among others, a building or structure that is utilized for "training and skill development" – not within a school or academic program – is contained in the list. As with any interpretative analysis of the code, it is important to note what language is not included. Here, the enumerated business occupancy at issue has no reference to age – or any limitation related to the age of the occupants.

To further reinforce the code's intent regarding the lack of an age restriction in a structure that is utilized for training and skill development,¹ it should be noted that the enumerated list accounts for age in other buildings and structures (i.e., educational occupancies for students above the 12^th grade).

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¹ That is not located within a school or academic program.