• Codes
  • Features

    Features Overview

    Go to features
    Reference

    Reference.

    A reliable and up-to-date source of codes.
    Research

    Research.

    Rapidly and efficiently calculate project parameters.
    Collaboration

    Collaboration.

    Get everyone on the same page and streamline code research.
    Workflows
    Architects
    Architects
    General Contractors
    General Contractors
    Building Official & Plans Examiners
    Building Official & Plans Examiners
    Inspectors
    Inspectors
    Owners
    Owners
    Subcontractors
    Subcontractors
    Code Consultants
    Code Consultants
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • Sign Up
Sign Up
Login
  • Code Library
  • Features
  • Pricing
  • About
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Sign Up
Upgrade to Premium
Code calculators: Code Calculators automatically generates a detailed list of requirements.
REFERENCE
Amendment Styling
Industry-leading search
Code diagrams
RESEARCH
Code calculators
Filter by topic
Code compare
Code sheet exports
COLLABORATION
Team projects
Bookmarks
Comments
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL
Have an account? Sign in
// CODE SNIPPET

Section 1004 Occupant Load

Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1004 Occupant Load
JUMP TO FULL CODE CHAPTER
ILLUSTRATION

1004.1 Design Occupant Load

In determining means of egress requirements, the number of occupants for whom means of egress facilities are provided shall be determined in accordance with this section.

1004.2 Cumulative Occupant Loads

Where the path of egress travel includes intervening rooms, areas or spaces, cumulative occupant loads shall be determined in accordance with this section.

1004.2.1 Intervening Spaces or Accessory Areas

Where occupants egress from one or more rooms, areas or spaces through others, the design occupant load shall be the combined occupant load of interconnected accessory or intervening spaces. Design of egress path capacity shall be based on the cumulative portion of occupant loads of all rooms, areas or spaces to that point along the path of egress travel.

1004.2.2 Adjacent Levels for Mezzanines

CALCULATE P
P Premium Feature

This feature is included in premium subscriptions only. Click below to start a free trial.

Try 2 Weeks Free
CALCULATE
Calculate code sheet portions referencing this topic.
That portion of the occupant load of a mezzanine with required egress through a room, area or space on an adjacent level shall be added to the occupant load of that room, area or space.

1004.2.3 Adjacent Stories

Other than for the egress components designed for convergence in accordance with Section 1005.6, the occupant load from separate stories shall not be added.

1004.3 Multiple Function Occupant Load

ILLUSTRATION
Where an area under consideration contains multiple functions having different occupant load factors, the design occupant load for such area shall be based on the floor area of each function calculated independently.

1004.4 Multiple Occupancies

Where a building contains two or more occupancies, the means of egress requirements shall apply to each portion of the building based on the occupancy of that space. Where two or more occupancies utilize portions of the same means of egress system, those egress components shall meet the more stringent requirements of all occupancies that are served.

1004.5 Areas Without Fixed Seating

ILLUSTRATION
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.
Exception: Where approved by the building 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.
TABLE 1004.5
MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA ALLOWANCES PER OCCUPANT
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
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
  1. Floor area in square feet per occupant.

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 m2) of occupiable floor space. Where required by the building official, an approved aisle, seating or fixed equipment diagram substantiating any increase in occupant load shall be submitted. Where required by the building official, such diagram shall be posted.

1004.6 Fixed Seating

ILLUSTRATION
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.

1004.7 Outdoor Areas

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:
  1. Outdoor areas used exclusively for service of the building need only have one means of egress.
  2. Both outdoor areas associated with Group R-3 and individual dwelling units of Group R-2.

1004.8 Concentrated Business Use Areas

ILLUSTRATION
The occupant load factor for concentrated business use shall be applied to telephone call centers, trading floors, electronic data processing centers and similar business use areas with a higher density of occupants than would normally be expected in a typical business occupancy environment. Where approved by the building official, the occupant load for concentrated business use areas shall be the actual occupant load, but not less than one occupant per 50 square feet (4.65 m2) of gross occupiable floor space.

1004.9 Posting of Occupant Load

Every room or space that is an assembly occupancy shall have the occupant load of the room or space posted in a conspicuous place, near the main exit or exit access doorway from the room or space, for the intended configurations. Posted signs shall be of an approved legible permanent design and shall be maintained by the owner or the owner's authorized agent.

Related Code Sections


Section 1004 Means of Egress, Occupant Load
travel includes intervening rooms, areas or spaces, cumulative occupant loads shall be determined in accordance with this section ...
Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1004 Occupant Load
Section 1004 Means of Egress, Occupant Load
travel includes intervening rooms, areas or spaces, cumulative occupant loads shall be determined in accordance with this section ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1004 Occupant Load
1006.3.1 Means of Egress, Occupant Load
Where stairways serve more than one story , or more than one story and an occupied roof, only the occupant load of each story ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1006 Number of Exits and Exit Access Doorways > 1006.3 Egress From Stories or Occupied Roofs > 1006.3.1 Occupant Load
1004.5.1 Means of Egress, 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 ...
Building Code 2018 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1004 Occupant Load > 1004.5 Areas Without Fixed Seating > 1004.5.1 Increased Occupant Load
1004.9 Means of Egress, Posting of Occupant Load
Every room or space that is an assembly occupancy shall have the occupant load of the room or space posted in a conspicuous place, near the main ...
Building Code 2021 of Illinois > 10 Means of Egress > 1004 Occupant Load > 1004.9 Posting of Occupant Load
Help Contact Us Privacy Terms
Code diagrams
Code diagrams
Unpack the code through illustrations and descriptions.
Code Compare
Code Compare
Highlight differences between any two building codes.
Code sheet exports
Code sheet exports
Generate a code sheet that integrates with your drawing set.
Code Calculators
Code Calculators
Code calculators automatically generate a detailed list of requirements.
Shared projects
Shared projects
Projects provide a dedicated space to collaborate on code research.
Search
Search
Don't miss relevant code. Quickly locate sections across your jurisdiction.
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the most sophisticated code compliance platform.
VISIT PRICING
UpCodes Premium
Leverage the full code compliance platform.
START 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL PRICING