Washington Administrative Code › Title 51 - Enterprise Services, Department of (Building Code Council) › Chapter 51-54A - State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code › Section 51-54A-1004 - Occupant load

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
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 m2) 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
						  Factora
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
Concentrated business use areas
150 gross
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
						  m2
a Floor area in square feet per
				occupant.