Thanks all.
We went ahead and called the Building Department and discussed the issue with a plans examiner. He was convinced that we were risk cat II but based on Table 1.5-1 (ASCE 7-10) which brings in 'substantial risk to human life' he decided it would be best to take up with his boss. I'll...
The: Thanks. The adopted building code is the 2013 CBC (ASCE 7-10). I've looked at the descriptions for each Risk Category, however the definitions/descriptions of each Risk Category do not seem to directly address our situation (the word 'Hotel' for example, is not found). I'm looking for an...