Differences Between Ambulatory Care and Business Occupancies

While there are many similarities between Ambulatory Care Occupancies and Business Occupancies,
here are the differences:

Ambulatory Care Occupancy Business Occupancy

1 Story: No Restrictions
2 or more stories: No restrictions except
Construction Type No Restrictions
Types II (000), III (200) and V (000)
require automatic sprinklers
44 inches if corridor serves 50 or more
Minimum Corridor Widths 44 inches
people; otherwise 36 inches
Number of Exits From Each Floor At least 2 At least 2 with exceptions allowing 1 exit
Travel Distance from Room Door to an 200 feet from any point to an exit (300
100 feet (150 feet if sprinklered)
Exit feet if sprinklered)
Travel Distance From Any Point in a 200 feet from any point to an exit (300
150 feet (200 feet is sprinklered)
Room to an Exit feet if sprinklered)
Only required if construction type calls for
Automatic Sprinklers Not Required
sprinklers
Prohibited in areas with flammable
Smoking No Restrictions
liquids, oxygen or combustible gases
28 inches minimum, or 24 inches if not
Minimum Door Widths 32 inches minimum serving occupants with mobility
impairments
Suites greater than 2,500 square feet
Suite Of Rooms Allowed
requires 2 exits
Required if 2 or more stories above the
level of exit discharge, or 100 occupants
Fire Alarm System Required
above or below level of exit discharge, or
if serving 1,000 or more occupants
2 smoke compartments required unless
facility is less than 5,000 square feet and
Smoke Barriers protected by smoke detectors, or if facility Not Required
is less than 10,000 square feet and
protected by automatic sprinklers

Source: NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2012 edition