Use
The use of a building is directly related to the type of
occupancy. Building use can be categorised in the
following groups:
➤ Offi ces and retail premises
➤ Factories and warehouse storage premises
➤ Sleeping accommodation such as hotels, boarding
houses, etc.
➤ Residential and nursing homes
➤ Teaching establishments
➤ Small and medium places of assembly – public
houses, clubs, restaurants, etc.
➤ Large places of assembly (more than 200 persons) –
shopping centres, conference centres, etc.
➤ Theatres and cinemas
affect the fi re growth rate in so far as they provide a rich
source of fuel. It should also be noted that appropriate
levels of dust in the atmosphere may cause an explosion;
this subject is discussed later in this chapter.