Be sure to know the differences between Group R-1, 2, or 3 occupancies when wiring hotels, motels and single-family dwellings. Some of the different Group R-type occupancies may require specific wiring and equipment not typically required in other R-type occupancies. Some areas in Group R occupancies may be permitted to be wired with Nonmetallic Sheathed Cable whereas other areas of the same occupancy might require metal cables or raceways to be code compliant.

Emergency lighting and exit signs are commonly required in aisles and corridors of Group R-1 occupancies because these occupancies are not “transient in nature” (not meant to be occupied by the same people for long periods of time who would normally become very familiar with the building layout and instantly know where to go to get out of the building in the event of an emergency or disaster).

In addition, it is quite common to see fire walls between the sleeping units and egress corridors or fire rated floor/ceiling assemblies in Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies. Special requirements occur when installing electrical wiring and boxes in fire rated walls, floors, or ceilings. Additional fire protective materials such as putty pads or other wall opening protective materials may be required when recessing boxes and enclosures into rated building elements in order to maintain the required fire rating.

According to IBC Section 310, a Residential Group R includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I or when not regulated by the International Residential Code. Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 shall comply with Section 420.

Residential Group R-1 occupancies contain sleeping units where the occupants are primarily transient in nature, including:

• Boarding houses (transient) with more than 10 occupants
• Congregate living facilities (transient) with more than 10 occupants
• Hotels (transient)
• Motels (transient)

Residential Group R-2 occupancies contain sleeping units or more than two dwelling units where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature, including:

• Apartment houses
• Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with more than 16 occupants
  • Boarding houses (nontransient)
  • Convents
  • Dormitories
  • Fraternities and sororities
  • Monasteries
• Hotels (nontransient)
• Live/work units
• Motels (nontransient)
• Vacation timeshare properties

Residential Group R-3 occupancies are buildings where the occupants are primarily permanent in nature and not classified as Group R-1, R-2, R-4 or I, including:

• Buildings that do not contain more than two dwelling units
• Care facilities that provide accommodations for five or fewer persons receiving care
• Congregate living facilities (nontransient) with 16 or fewer occupants
  • Boarding houses (nontransient)
  • Convents
  • Dormitories
  • Fraternities and sororities
  • Monasteries
• Congregate living facilities (transient) with 10 or fewer occupants
  • Boarding houses (transient)
• Lodging houses (transient) with five or fewer guest rooms and 10 or fewer occupants