Who is responsible for identifying the intended use of the room or building section?

• A. Building owner
• B. Design professional
• C. Plans examiner
• D. Contractor

Answer: (B)

The design professional is responsible. They collaborate with the building owner to determine how each space will be used and then document that intended use in the project drawings and specifications, assigning occupancy classifications and functional designations. This designation directly drives all life-safety and fire-protection design requirements—means of egress, occupant load, fire barriers, and applicable fire protection systems. The building owner provides the project goals, but the formal determination and its documentation rest with the designer. The plans examiner’s role is to verify that the submitted documents accurately reflect the intended uses and comply with code, not to decide the uses themselves.