What requirement must be met for a building classified as an assembly occupancy?

For a building to be classified as an assembly occupancy, it must have an occupant load of more than 50. This classification is essential because it establishes the level of safety requirements necessary for buildings where large groups of people gather. The criteria are designed to ensure adequate egress, fire safety measures, and other safety considerations that become crucial when many individuals occupy a single space.

An occupant load of over 50 indicates that the building will typically require more stringent safety measures, such as fire alarms, exits, and emergency lighting, to safely manage the risks associated with larger gatherings. This threshold helps enforce the necessary regulations to prevent overcrowding and assists emergency services in providing adequate responses during an incident.

Although other options might seem relevant to an assembly occupancy, they do not universally apply as a requirement for classification. For example, not all assembly occupancies will have fixed seats or serve food and drinks, and while having more than 100 guests indicates a large gathering, the critical factor for classification is based on the minimum number of occupants to ensure safety regulations are upheld.