What is the prohibition for occupancy combinations in Group C buildings?

In Group C buildings, which are primarily associated with residential occupancies, specific pairing restrictions exist to ensure the safety and functionality of the spaces. The prohibition against certain occupancy combinations is driven by the need to reduce potential hazards and ensure that the building’s design accommodates the intended use effectively.

The correct answer highlights that Group C buildings cannot include certain major occupancies like A1 (assembly with fixed seats), A3 (assembly without fixed seats), B1-3 (business and personal services), F2 (medium hazard industrial), and F3 (high hazard industrial). These occupancies pose greater risks due to their nature, such as larger gatherings of people, higher fire loads, or other safety concerns that could significantly impact residents. By restricting these combinations, the building code seeks to prevent the potential for unsafe conditions, particularly in residential settings where the occupancy is expected to provide a safe living environment.

Other choices do not align with the established regulations. For example, stating that Group C can contain any major occupancy disregards the specific safety protocols the code enforces. Restricting only to Group D occupancies would be too limiting and not reflective of the code’s allowances for other residential adjacent uses. Finally, allowing any occupancy as long as it is below grade ignores