Requirements for Non-Group-I Interview Rooms?

5/24/2022

In the base IBC/NFPA 101 are there any requirements for "interview rooms" in buildings that aren't I occupancies or detention centers?

I'm reviewing a building design that has a small police suite with 3 "interview" rooms; the designer said the intent is that each room is capable of holding one detainee who will be chained to the table at and in the company of at least one officer at all times.

This doesn't qualify as a Group I occupancy per IBC and NPFA 101 Ch 22 doesn't apply to non-sleeping areas. I feel like there is something I'm overlooking but I'm having trouble finding information.

Thanks in advance.

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3 Comments

Alex

5/24/2022 06:01:27 am

Hi,

The only code section that I could find was out of the California Building Code (2016).

408.1.2.7 states that "secure interview rooms used for law enforcement shall be permitted to locked, and shall not be classified as Group I-3 occupancies where all of the following conditions are met:

1. A monitored automatic sprinkler system shall be provided...
2. Secure interview rooms shall be located in non-combustible construction
3. Secure interview rooms have glazed or barred openings with direct, continuous observation from law enforcement personnel who have a means to open the secure interview room
4. Not more than 6 occupants in secure interview rooms shall be located in the same fire area
5. An automatic smoke detection shall be installed within secure interview rooms and mechanical and electrical rooms"

Sadly, I cant find this code section/amendment in other jurisdictions.

Thanks,
Alex

Craig Hanson link

5/24/2022 08:18:25 am

I think where you may be getting confused is that the individual rooms are Incidental Uses [IBS 509]. Although the station may be classified as a B the individual rooms are I-3. However, as they do not exceed 10% of the building area the I-3 is not the buildings primary occupancy type.

I hope this helps.

Todd E Wyatt

5/24/2022 08:23:16 am

Per the 2021 IBC, Group I Institutional includes "the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which … supervision is provided to persons who are … detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted.” Institutional Group I-3 occupancy includes “buildings and structures that are inhabited by more than five persons who are under restraint or security. A Group I-3 facility is occupied by persons who are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security measures not under the occupants' control.” 308.4 Institutional Group I-3 includes (5) different “conditions” which varies the “free movement” of occupants. 308.4 refers to Section 408 for additional requirements.

Section 408 Group I-3 discusses Other Occupancies (408.2), Means of Egress (408.3), Locks (408.4), Protection of Vertical Openings (408.5), Smoke Barriers (408.6), Security Glazing (408.7), Subdivision of Resident Housing Areas (408.8), Windowless Buildings (408.9), Fire Alarm System (406.10), and Automatic Sprinkler System (408.11). Based on your question, I recommend reviewing “408.2 Other Occupancies” as it discusses “Means of egress from detention and correctional occupancies that traverse other use areas …”.

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Requirements for Non-Group-I Interview Rooms?

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