Which of the following is listed as an occupancy classification?

• A. Commercial
• B. Mercantile
• C. Office Building
• D. Industrial Facility

Answer: (B)

In building and fire codes, how a space is classified affects the fire and life-safety requirements it must meet. Mercantile is the official occupancy classification for retail spaces where goods are sold or displayed to the public, such as stores and showrooms. It’s a formal category used by codes to determine appropriate protections and features for those areas. The other options describe generic terms or building types rather than a recognized occupancy category, so they don’t fit as the formal classification. Therefore, mercantile is the correct occupancy classification for retail environments.