Occupancy Load Signs


by Nick GromickoCMI® and Kenton Shepard
 

 
Occupancy load refers to the number of people permitted in a building at one time based on the building’s floor space and function. The occupancy load must be posted on signs, which are sometimes called maximum occupancy signs, so that this information is publicly available. To exceed occupancy load or fail to post occupancy load signs in the required places can result in fines and is a serious safety hazard.
 
Emergencies can require the immediate evacuation of a building, particularly in the event of a fire. Any delay in evacuation can be tragic, as was the case in the 2003 Station Night Club fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island, which killed 100 people in just over five minutes. The fire was so lethal because evacuation was sluggish, partly due to the fact that the actual number of people present was much higher than the building’s occupancy load.
 
Sign Inspection

 

InterNACHI inspectors can consider the following questions while they inspect load occupancy signs:

  • Is the sign present? The 2006 International Building Code (IBC) requires that signs should be present in all “assembly occupancies.” The city of Yuma, Arizona, requires their presence in assembly occupancies and defines that term as “gatherings of 50 persons or more for civic, social, or religious functions.” Other jurisdictions, such as the cities of Houston, Texas and Portland, Oregon, as well as the state of Idaho, agree that occupancy signs are required for buildings that have occupancy loads of 50 or more.
  • Has the sign been maintained?  It is the responsibility of the building’s owner to make sure that the sign is not damaged by wear or abuse.
  • Is the sign clear and legible? The Houston Fire Code requires the following:
Signs shall [have a] minimum of 1-inch block letters and numbers on a contrasting background so as to be readily visible. Allowable smaller lettering shall be a minimum of 3/8- inch block lettering.   
  • Is the sign placed in a suitable location? The 2006 IBC requires the following:
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.

Additional recommendations can be drawn from the Houston Fire Code, which requires that occupancy load signs be placed in the following manner:
 
The sign shall be located in a conspicuous location within the room, adjacent to the main exit, so as to not be obstructed by doors, curtains, poster board stands, furniture, room dividers, or similar items.  The sign shall be posted not more than 60 inches nor less than 48 inches above the floor. 

Calculation of Occupancy Load
 
Occupancy load is calculated by dividing the area of a room by its prescribed unit of area per person. Units of area per person for specific buildings can be found in the chart at the end of this article. For instance, the chart dictates that dormitories require 50 square feet of floor area for every room occupant. Consequently, a dorm room that has 100 square feet of floor space will have a maximum occupancy of two people. The amount of space required per person varies based on the function of the room, which is determined by the building’s designer. 
 
In summary, occupancy load must be posted in many buildings on signs that are clearly visible and legible.     
 
 

                         Typical Maximum Floor Area Allowances Per Occupant 
Function of Space
Floor Area in Square Feet Per Occupant* 
Agricultural building
300 Gross 
Aircraft hangar
500 Gross
Airport terminal
          Baggage Claim
          Baggage handling 
          Concourse 
          Waiting area
 
20 Gross
300 Gross
100 Gross
15 Gross
Assembly
           Gaming floors (keno, slots, etc)
 
11 Gross
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 or runway,
and for additional areas
7 Net
Business areas
100 Gross
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 Gross
50 Gross
Exercise rooms
50 Gross
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  
Kitchen, commercial
200 Gross
Library
            Reading room
            Study area
 
50 Net
100 Gross
Locker rooms
50 Gross
Mercantile 
            Areas on the floors
            Basement and grade floor areas
            Storage, stock, shipping area
 
60 Gross
30 Gross
300 Gross
Parking garages 
200 Gross
Residential
20 Gross
Skating rinks, swimming pools 
               Rink and pool
               Decks
 
50 Gross
15 Gross
Stages an platforms 
15 Net
Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment room 
300 Gross
Warehouse

500 Gross

*Gross square footage is the total amount of space in a building, Net square footage only accounts for space that is suitable for occupancy (excluding such elements as major vertical penetrations and shared space).