SERVICES

An architect is generally needed for designing and working on specific types of buildings, which include:

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• Post-Disaster Buildings: Any building designed to be used after a disaster.

• Assembly Spaces:

  • Group A, divisions 1, 3, and 4:

    • A1: Assembly occupancies intended for the production and viewing of the performing arts​

    • A3: Assembly occupancies of the arena type

    • A4: Assembly occupancies in which occupants are gathered in the open air

  • Group A, division 2: This category includes buildings and spaces that are used for gathering and social activities such as art galleries, auditoriums, bowling alleys, churches, community halls, courtrooms, dance halls, daycare facilities for children, exhibition halls, gyms, lecture halls, libraries, bars, museums, passenger stations, recreational piers, restaurants, non-residential schools and colleges, and funeral homes.

    • A space that falls under Group A, Division 2 can be classified as a Group D (business and personal services) occupancy under certain conditions: ​

      • Limited Occupancy: The number of people in the space must not exceed 30.

      • Fire Separation: The space must be separated from the rest of the building by a wall or partition that can resist fire for at least 1 hour. However, this fire-resistant separation is not needed if the entire building is equipped with sprinklers.

      • Signage Requirement: A permanent sign must be posted near the main entrance, clearly indicating the maximum number of people allowed in the space, which should be 30 or fewer.

• Detention Occupancy: Spaces such as prisons.

• Care and Treatment Spaces:

  • Care Occupancy: Like nursing homes, with some exceptions.

  • Treatment Occupancy: Like hospitals.

• Residential Buildings:

  • Hotels larger than 470 m² (5,059 SF).

  • Buildings larger than 600 m² (6,458 SF).

  • Buildings with 4 or more stories.

  • Buildings with 5 or more dwelling units (like apartments).

  • Mixed-use buildings larger than 470 m² (5,059 SF) with at least one dwelling unit.

  • Mixed-use buildings with dwellings combined with assembly, detention, treatment, or care spaces.

  • 5 dwelling units or more

• Business and Personal Services Spaces: If larger than 470 m² (5,059 SF).

• Stores (Mercantile Occupancy): If larger than 470 m² (5,059 SF).

• Industrial Spaces:

  • High-hazard industrial occupancy: Like factories handling dangerous materials.

  • Medium and low-hazard industrial occupancy: If larger than 470 m² (5,059 SF).

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Note: This information is for informational purposes only. For the latest definitions and regulations, please refer to the building codes and the Architects Regulation under the governance of the PGA.