Which type of occupancy has the highest fire risk?

The type of occupancy that poses the highest fire risk is assembly occupancy, such as theaters or concert halls. This classification typically involves large groups of people in a confined space, which inherently increases the potential for fire hazards.

Assembly facilities often have a variety of materials present, such as seating, stage props, and decorative elements, which can be highly combustible. Additionally, these venues also use culinary equipment, pyrotechnics for performances, and lighting systems that can generate significant heat.

The combination of high occupancy levels, increased fuel load from materials present, and potential ignition sources creates a scenario where a fire can spread rapidly and become difficult to control, thus elevating the overall fire risk compared to other types of occupancy.

Residential, business, and storage occupancies all present unique fire risks, but they generally have more measures in place for escape and less combustible material concentrated in one area compared to assembly venues. This difference in structure and usage makes assembly occupancies particularly vulnerable in the context of fire safety.