A building with a floor level more than how many feet below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge must be divided into a minimum of two compartments?

The requirement for dividing a building into a minimum of two compartments is designed to enhance safety and accessibility during emergencies, particularly when egress routes may be compromised. When a building has a floor level that is more than 60 feet below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge, the risk of entrapment or complications during evacuation increases significantly.

At this depth, it becomes essential to compartmentalize the building to ensure that there are adequate safety measures in place. These compartments can prevent the spread of smoke and fire, providing occupants with safer zones until they can exit. Having a clear understanding of this requirement is crucial for ensuring that emergency preparedness and occupant safety measures are effectively implemented in larger or multi-level commercial buildings.

The other options, while all addressing the concept of compartmentalization, do not align with the threshold established by building codes, which designate 60 feet as the critical measurement for necessitating at least two compartments. Thus, the standard is specifically set to focus on the unique challenges posed by lower levels in commercial buildings.