What Occupancy Are You — and Why It Matters for Fire and Smoke Protection

Understanding the California Building Code (CBC) can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to fire and smoke protection requirements. But one of the most important, and often overlooked, steps toward compliance is identifying your building’s occupancy classification.

At Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtains, we help building owners, architects, engineers and property managers navigate these requirements everyday — ensuring their spaces are not only compliant but also safe for the people who live, work and gather inside them.

Why Occupancy Classification Matters

Every building is assigned an occupancy classification, which defines its primary purpose and function. This designation determines the specific fire and smoke safety measures required to meet state and local codes.

Some buildings might even fall under more than one occupancy type — what’s called a mixed-use or multipurpose occupancy. Knowing exactly how your building is classified is the first step to understanding which fire protection systems you need to stay compliant with the California Building Code.

Elevator Hoistway Protection and When Its Required

Certain occupancies require elevator hoistway opening protection — a crucial safety feature that prevents smoke migration from traveling through elevator shafts during a fire.

That’s where Vanguard’s ESC Smoke Containment Curtain comes in.

This UL-tested and building code–approved system deploys automatically in the event of smoke in the building, sealing elevator openings to contain smoke and maintain clear evacuation paths. It’s a discreet, code-compliant alternative to traditional enclosed lobbies and an ideal solution for modern building designs.

In general, buildings without automatic sprinkler systems, as well as high-rise buildings, must include elevator hoistway smoke and fire protection. However, several other occupancy types are also required to have smoke and fire curtain containment systems. Below is a brief guide to understanding each occupancy.

Occupancy Classifications

Group A –– Assembly Occupancies

Group A buildings are spaces where people gather for social, civic, religious, or recreational purposes. This includes theaters, restaurants, places of worship, nightclubs, concert halls, museums, libraries, arenas and stadiums.

Because these areas often hold large crowds, Vanguard’s ESC Smoke Containment Curtain provides an effective way to protect elevator openings and maintain safe evacuation routes.

Group E –– Educational Occupancies

Group E includes schools and educational facilities for grades K–12 where six or more people gather for instruction. Vanguard’s automatic smoke curtain systems are ideal for these settings, offering an unobtrusive way to enhance student and staff safety without disrupting building design.

Group H –– High-Hazard Occupancies

Facilities that manufacture, store, or process hazardous materials fall under Group H. This includes laboratories, chemical plants and semiconductor fabrication spaces. Vanguard’s fire-rated containment curtains provide a critical layer of defense, helping prevent the spread of smoke and fire from high-risk zones.

Group I –– Institutional Occupancies

Hospitals, nursing homes, detention centers, and care facilities belong to Group I — buildings where occupants may not be able to evacuate without assistance. In these environments, reliable fire and smoke curtains are vital for protecting vulnerable populations and providing additional time for rescue operations.

Group L –– Laboratory Occupancies

Group L buildings include laboratories or research facilities where hazardous materials are stored or used. Vanguard’s containment curtains can isolate smoke in case of an incident, minimizing risk and helping ensure compliance with California’s building safety codes.

Group R –– Residential Occupancies

Group R applies to residential buildings such as apartments, dormitories, hotels, motels and assisted-living facilities. Vanguard’s compact, code-compliant smoke curtains integrate seamlessly into residential architecture — providing protection without compromising design or accessibility.

How Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtains Can Help

Determining your occupancy type is just the beginning. Once you know your classification, you can identify which smoke and fire protection systems are required to achieve code compliance and protect occupants.

At Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtains, we specialize in California Building Code–approved fire safety solutions designed for every occupancy type — from educational institutions to high-rise hotels. Our BLE fire curtain products can resist fire between 60 to 180 minutes and are designed to meet both performance and aesthetic needs.

Whether you need an elevator smoke containment system, fire curtain for open atriums, or automatic deployable smoke barrier, Vanguard offers reliable, tested and certified systems to keep your building safe and compliant.

Ready to Make Your Building Safer?

Our experts can help you determine which Vanguard solution best fits your building type and occupancy requirements.

Contact our team or visit Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtains to learn more about our smoke containment curtains, fire curtains, and code-compliant fire safety systems.

Protect your property. Protect your people. Choose Vanguard — your partner in smoke and fire protection.