Finger Lakes Building Officials, Inc.

An Affiliated Member of the New York State Building Officials Conference

DATE: June 2, 2003

FROM: Cheryl A. Fischer, P.E.
Asst. Dir. for Code Interpretation

NOTE: Fire separation requirements between a motor vehicle repair shop and the sales office

This is in response to your questions regarding the fire separation requirements between a motor vehicle repair shop, S-1 occupancy and the sales office, B occupancy.

Building Code of New York State (BCNYS) section 406.6, Repair garages, is applicable as follows:
Section 406.6.2, Mixed occupancy, provides that a repair garage shall not be located within, or attached to, a building occupied for any other purpose, unless separated from the other occupancies as prescribed in section 302.3.3. Such separation shall be continuous and unpierced, except for doors leading to salesrooms, or offices, operated in connection with such garages, and provided such openings are equipped with self-closing fire doors conforming to the requirements of Chapter 7. Section 302.3.3, Separated uses, refers to Table 302.3.3, which requires a three (3) hour fire separation between the garage and the office. Footnote b, applicable to the B occupancy states that:
Occupancy separation need not be provided for incidental storage areas within Groups B and M if the:
1. Area is less than 10 percent of the floor area, or
2. Area is provided with an automatic fire-extinguishing system and is less than 3,000 square feet, or
3. Area is less than 1,000 square feet.

Please note that section 406.6 is applicable in its entirety.

This advisory opinion is rendered based upon the information provided. Administration and enforcement of the code are within the jurisdiction of the local authority. If you have questions regarding this advisory, please call me at (518) 474-4073.

Al03-128

Finger Lakes Building Officials Association, Inc.
3100 Atlantic Ave.
Penfield, NY 14526
info@flboa.com