In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about separation of different occupancies.
Q: There is an existing clinic classified as a business occupancy that leases space within a rehabilitation and nursing center. Does this need to be separated by a two-hour-rated partition? Does the egress corridor from the clinic to the exterior need to be rated?
A: It depends. If the rehabilitation center and nursing center are a different occupancy than the clinic (which you say is a business occupancy), then yes, the different occupancies must be separated by fire-rated barriers. The fire rating of these barriers depends on whether or not the occupancy (other than the business occupancy) is healthcare occupancy.
How Architects Shape the Future of Healthcare Facilities
UNC Health, Duke Health Form Partnership for Stand-alone Children's Hospital
Sarasota Memorial Hospital Plans to Build New Facility in North Port
CMMS, Data and the Path to Compliance
Healthcare is a Major Ransomware Target