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National Building Regulations
Part A. Administration

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A20. Classification and Designation of Occupancies

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.
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.
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 -
1. such liquid is stored in the fuel tank of any engine, motor vehicle, boat or lawnmower;
2. the quantity of liquid to be stored or handled in such room does not exceed 40 litres; or
3. 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^oC.
Table 1 - Occupancy or Building Classification

Class of occupancy of building	Occupancy
A1	Entertainment and public assembly Occupancy where persons gather to eat, drink, dance or participate in other recreation.
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 combustion with moderate rapidity but is not likely to give rise to poisonous fumes, or 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 category.

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 comprising usually unattended mechanical or electrical services necessary for the running of a building.
D4	Plant room Occupancy comprising usually unattended mechanical or electrical services necessary for the running of 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 250 m².
F2	Small shop Occupancy where merchandise is displayed and offered for sale to the public and the floor area does not exceed 250 m².
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 outbuilding, 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 the material 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.