NFPA 101 defines an industrial occupancy as "an occupancy in which products are manufactured or in which processing, assembling, mixing, packaging, finishing, decorating, or repair operations are conducted." This broad definition would not seem to apply to data centers. There can be uncertainty regarding the occupancy-type classification for data centers. Is a data center a business or an industrial occupancy? Remember that NFPA 101 is not a prescriptive cook book and requires a certain amount of interpretation to apply it properly. This does not mean that NFPA 101 does not apply to data centers. Interestingly, unlike IBC, NFPA 101 does not define a specific occupancy type for data centers (or self-serve laundromats, for that matter). Each of these categories is characterized by the quantity and type of occupants, the type of hazards to which they may be exposed, and the factors that affect the ability to safely egress those occupants out the building in the event of a fire. The formal definitions for each of these categories can be found in Chapter 6.1 of NFPA 101. NFPA 101 broadly categorizes occupancy types into the 12 following categories: Similar to the IBC, NFPA 101 is an occupancy-based code. The applicable code is NFPA 101: Life Safety Code, which has a more detailed perspective than IBC and is limited to life safety. While the IBC is a far-reaching code encompassing structural, sanitation, lighting, ventilation, and several other areas, life safety considerations in mission critical environments is an important area of focus. While there are certain exceptions, such as designated critical operations areas (DCOA) as defined by Article 708: Critical Operations Power Systems (COPS) of NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC), code considerations typically don’t extend beyond the health and safety of a building’s occupants. What is considered "mission critical" by you and a client may not be shared by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The purpose of building codes does not include quantifying the inherent value of your dirty laundry versus data sitting on a computer server. Why does this matter? All building codes focus on ensuring the health and safety of a building’s occupants.
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