Section 1004 Occupant Load
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 building official shall establish a function based on a listed function that most nearly resembles the intended function.
| FUNCTION OF SPACE | OCCUPANT LOAD FACTORa |
| Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment room | 300 gross |
| Agricultural building | 300 gross |
| Aircraft hangars | 500 gross |
| Airport terminal | |
| Baggage claim | 20 gross |
| Baggage handling | 300 gross |
| Concourse | 100 gross |
| Waiting areas | 15 gross |
| Assembly | |
| Gaming floors (keno, slots, etc.) | 11 gross |
| Exhibit gallery and museum | 30 net |
| Assembly with fixed seats | See Section 1004.6 |
| Assembly without fixed seats | |
| Concentrated (chairs only—not fixed) | 7 net |
| Standing space | 5 net |
| Unconcentrated (tables and chairs) | 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 | 20 net |
| Shops and other vocational room areas | 50 net |
| Exercise rooms | 50 gross |
| Group H-5 fabrication and manufacturing areas | 200 gross |
| Industrial areas | 100 gross |
| Institutional areas | |
| Inpatient treatment areas | 240 gross |
| Outpatient areas | 100 gross |
| Sleeping areas | 120 gross |
| Kitchens, commercial | 200 gross |
| Library | |
| Reading rooms | 50 net |
| Stack area | 100 gross |
| Locker rooms | 50 gross |
| Mall buildings—covered and open | See Section 402.8.2 |
| Mercantile | 60 gross |
| Storage, stock, shipping areas | 300 gross |
| Parking garages | 200 gross |
| Residential | 200 gross |
| Skating rinks, swimming pools | |
| Rink and pool | 50 gross |
| Decks | 15 gross |
| Stages and platforms | 15 net |
| Warehouses | 500 gross |
- Floor area in square feet per occupant.
For areas having fixed seats and aisles, the occupant load shall be determined by the number of fixed seats installed therein. The occupant load for areas in which fixed seating is not installed, such as waiting spaces, shall be determined in accordance with Section 1004.5 and added to the number of fixed seats.
The occupant load of wheelchair spaces and the associated companion seat shall be based on one occupant for each wheelchair space and one occupant for the associated companion seat provided in accordance with Section 1108.2.3.
For areas having fixed seating without dividing arms, the occupant load shall be not less than the number of seats based on one person for each 18 inches (457 mm) of seating length.
The occupant load of seating booths shall be based on one person for each 24 inches (610 mm) of booth seat length measured at the backrest of the seating booth.
Yards, patios, occupied roofs, courts and similar outdoor areas accessible to and usable by the building occupants shall be provided with means of egress as required by this chapter. The occupant load of such outdoor areas shall be assigned by the building official in accordance with the anticipated use. Where outdoor areas are to be used by persons in addition to the occupants of the building, and the path of egress travel from the outdoor areas passes through the building, means of egress requirements for the building shall be based on the sum of the occupant loads of the building plus the outdoor areas.
Exceptions:
- Outdoor areas used exclusively for service of the building need only have one means of egress.
- Both outdoor areas associated with Group R-3 and individual dwelling units of Group R-2.