WAC 51-54A-1004
WAC 51-54A-1004. Occupant load
1004.5 Areas without fixed seating. The number of occupants shall be computed at the rate of one occupant per unit of area as prescribed in Table 1004.5. For areas without fixed seating, the occupant load shall be not less than that number determined by dividing the floor area under consideration by the occupant load factor assigned to the function of the space as set forth in Table 1004.5. Where an intended function is not listed in Table 1004.5, the fire code official shall establish a function based on a listed function that most nearly resembles the intended function.
EXCEPTION:
Where approved by the fire code official, the actual number of occupants for whom each occupied space, floor, or building is designed, although less than those determined by calculation, shall be permitted to be used in the determination of the design occupant load.
1004.5.1 Increased occupant load. The occupant load permitted in any building, or portion thereof, is permitted to be increased from that number established for the occupancies in Table 1004.5, provided that all other requirements of the code are met based on such modified number and the occupant load does not exceed one occupant per 7 square feet (0.65 m 2 ) of occupiable floor space. Where required by the fire code official , an approved aisle, seating or fixed equipment diagram substantiating any increase in occupant load shall be submitted. Where required by the fire code official , such diagram shall be posted.
Table 1004.5
Maximum Floor Area Allowances Per Occupant
Function of Space Occupant Load Factor a Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment room 300 gross Agricultural building 300 gross Aircraft hangars 500 gross Airport terminal Baggage claim Baggage handling Concourse Waiting areas 20 gross 300 gross 100 gross 15 gross Assembly Gaming floors (keno,slots, etc.) Exhibit gallery and museum Billiard table/game table area 11 gross 30 net 50 gross Assembly with fixed seats See Section 1004.6 Assembly without fixed seats Concentrated (chairs only - Not fixed) Standing space Unconcentrated (tables and chairs) 7 net 5 net 15 net Bowling centers, allow 5 persons for each lane including 15 feet of runway and for additional areas 7 net Business areas 150 gross Concentrated business use areas See Section 1004.8 Courtrooms - Other than fixed seating areas 40 net Day care 35 net Dormitories 50 gross Educational Classroom area Shops and other vocational room areas 20 net 50 net Exercise rooms 50 gross Fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems Platform Concourse/lobby 100 gross (See Section 4901) Group H-5 fabrication and manufacturing areas 200 gross Industrial areas 100 gross Institutional areas Inpatient treatment areas Outpatient areas Sleeping areas 240 gross 100 gross 120 gross Kitchens, commercial 200 gross Library Reading rooms Stack area 50 net 100 gross Locker rooms 50 gross Mall buildings - Covered and open See Section 402.8.2 of the IBC Mercantile Storage, stock, shipping areas 60 gross 300 gross Parking garages 200 gross Residential 200 gross Skating rinks, swimming pools Rink and pool Decks 50 gross 15 gross Stages and platforms 15 net Warehouses 500 gross For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2
Function of Space
Occupant Load Factor a
Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment room
300 gross
Agricultural building
300 gross
Aircraft hangars
500 gross
Airport terminal
Baggage claim
Baggage handling
Concourse
Waiting areas
20 gross
300 gross
100 gross
15 gross
Assembly
Gaming floors (keno,slots, etc.)
Exhibit gallery and museum
Billiard table/game table area
11 gross
30 net
50 gross
Assembly with fixed seats
See Section 1004.6
Assembly without fixed seats
Concentrated (chairs only - Not fixed)
Standing space
Unconcentrated (tables and chairs)
7 net
5 net
15 net
Bowling centers, allow 5 persons for each lane including 15 feet of runway and for additional areas
7 net
Business areas
150 gross
Concentrated business use areas
See Section 1004.8
Courtrooms - Other than fixed seating areas
40 net
Day care
35 net
Dormitories
50 gross
Educational
Classroom area
Shops and other vocational room areas
20 net
50 net
Exercise rooms
50 gross
Fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems
Platform
Concourse/lobby
100 gross (See Section 4901)
Group H-5 fabrication and manufacturing areas
200 gross
Industrial areas
100 gross
Institutional areas
Inpatient treatment areas
Outpatient areas
Sleeping areas
240 gross
100 gross
120 gross
Kitchens, commercial
200 gross
Library
Reading rooms
Stack area
50 net
100 gross
Locker rooms
50 gross
Mall buildings - Covered and open
See Section 402.8.2 of the IBC
Mercantile
Storage, stock, shipping areas
60 gross
300 gross
Parking garages
200 gross
Residential
200 gross
Skating rinks, swimming pools
Rink and pool
Decks
50 gross
15 gross
Stages and platforms
15 net
Warehouses
500 gross
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m 2
a
Floor area in square feet per occupant.