{"id":527,"date":"2022-09-06T12:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T12:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/construction-use-group\/"},"modified":"2024-01-15T11:33:41","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T16:33:41","slug":"construction-use-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carltonbuildingservices.com\/construction-use-group\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Heck is a USE GROUP for a Commercial Building?"},"content":{"rendered":"
If you\u2019re starting a new commercial building project, you might have heard your contractor or others in the construction industry use the term construction USE GROUP. But what exactly does this term mean and why is this group important for your commercial construction project in Virginia?<\/p>\n
The USE GROUP<\/span><\/a> determines the safety requirements for all construction projects in the state of Virginia. There\u2019s 10 general and 27 individual USE GROUPS in the state and each type is responsible for assessing and drawing the safety regulations for commercial projects. Without their approval, your project will not meet safety regulations to operate.<\/p>\n Depending on the intended use of a commercial space<\/span><\/a>, you must get approval from a specific USE GROUP. Some of the most common include:<\/p>\n Assembly Groups: outlines safety requirements for spaces designed for civil or social functions, such as a town hall or community gym<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Business Group: looks at safety regulations for traditional office buildings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Education Group: responsible for the safety of educational buildings which will house K-12 classes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Factory and Industrial Groups: outlines requirements for industrial spaces, including factories which assemble, package, and manufacture products<\/p>\n<\/li>\n High Hazard Groups: ensures the safety code is followed for spaces which will store high hazed materials which pose a community health danger<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Storage Group: looks at the safety requirements for storage spaces which don\u2019t store hazardous materials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mercantile Group: determines the safety code for retail shops inside shopping centers and malls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This list is not a complete list and knowing which USE GROUP to use can be tricky to navigate. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to work with a good contractor<\/span><\/a> in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Virginia, or another city nearby who knows which USE GROUP is appropriate for your project.<\/p>\n As stated above, getting the right USE GROUP to approve your project is essential to your team\u2019s and client’s and customers\u2019 safety during and after construction. The USE Group will lay out all safety regulations so your contractor can ensure your project meets all building codes outlined by your state and county.<\/p>\n\n
Why it matters to you<\/strong><\/h2>\n