Major Occupancy Separations – Table 3.1.3.1.

Sentence 3.1.3.1.(1) states that “…major occupancies shall be separated from adjoining major occupancies by fire separations having a fire-resistance ratings conforming to Table 3.1.3.1.

Based on the wording of the Sentence above and the dash in the tables, the requirements could be interpreted in two ways:

1. That all adjoining major occupancies shall be separated by a fire separation, and those with a dash (ie E to F2) can be unrated (ie smoke separations).
2. No fire separation is required between adjoining major occupancies if there is a dash in the table (notwithstanding suite separations and other requirements elsewhere in the code).

My question is: what is the intent of the code, and how do municipalities apply this?