For Group I-3 occupancies, what is the minimum occupant load that requires smoke barriers to divide stories into smoke compartments?

For Group I-3 occupancies, the requirement to divide stories into smoke compartments using smoke barriers is directly linked to the minimum occupant load of 50 persons. This is important as it reflects the particular safety concerns associated with this type of occupancy, which includes facilities such as corrections centers and mental health hospitals where occupants may have reduced mobility or may be unable to evacuate on their own during an emergency.

Smoke barriers are crucial for managing smoke movement during a fire, thus aiding in the safe evacuation of occupants and minimizing exposure to smoke and harmful gases. The specific threshold of 50 occupants is set to ensure that larger groups of people can be effectively managed and protected in case of a fire.

Occupant loads below this number do not trigger the same level of risk, and the building design and fire safety protocols can often rely on other protective measures rather than necessitating the more extensive compartmentalization provided by smoke barriers.