Open plan conversion of existing office building

[rizomi]

Greetings All,

This is my first thread in this interesting forum.
Here my question:

Situation

I have to redesign the interiors of an existing non sprinklered office building (occupant load approx. 400 people).
In the actual situation I have confined offices on the sides and fire rated corridors in the middle leading to the two exits

Task

The task is to convert the existing layout into an open plan. it means that I have to get rid of all the 1 man and enclosed offices and the fire rated corridors and replace them with benches and open primary circulation.

Question

Considering that the building is not sprinklered and a new smoke detection system will be incorporated, Can I do that?
Do I have to consider the new open circulation as common path of travel?

I apologise for my english and wait for your replyes.
Kind Regards,

Rizomi

 

[Ron]

What codes do you have to meet?

 

[rizomi]

Thanks for replying Ron,

the code is IBC 2009.

 

[jayrod12]

Those sound like questions better left up to an architect.