Which term describes occupancy types such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories?

Which term describes occupancy types such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories?

• A. Light Hazard Occupancy
• B. Ordinary Hazard (Group 1)
• C. Ordinary Hazard (Group 2)
• D. Residential Occupancies

Answer: (D)

In NFPA 13R, how a space is used drives the sprinkler design. Occupancies are grouped to reflect both how a space is used and the needs of the occupants. Spaces where people live or sleep—such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories—fall under Residential Occupancies. This label signals that the design focuses on protecting occupants in living/sleeping areas and aligns with the residential-specific requirements of 13R. The other terms describe the fire hazard level of contents (light hazard, ordinary hazard Group 1, Group 2) rather than the occupancy type, so they don’t describe living quarters in the way “Residential Occupancies” does.

In NFPA 13R, how a space is used drives the sprinkler design. Occupancies are grouped to reflect both how a space is used and the needs of the occupants. Spaces where people live or sleep—such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories—fall under Residential Occupancies. This label signals that the design focuses on protecting occupants in living/sleeping areas and aligns with the residential-specific requirements of 13R. The other terms describe the fire hazard level of contents (light hazard, ordinary hazard Group 1, Group 2) rather than the occupancy type, so they don’t describe living quarters in the way “Residential Occupancies” does.