The occupant load square footage for Assembly without fixed seating, like a campus restaurant, is determined by building codes and depends on the furniture arrangement and the activities of the patrons. It ensures the safe occupancy level for egress and fire safety.
The occupant load SF (square footage per person) for an Assembly area without fixed seating, like a campus restaurant with tables and chairs, is specified in building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC). These codes provide standards for calculating the number of people that can safely occupy a space, which is important for egress and fire safety considerations.
The specific SF per person will vary based on the code and the use of the space; for instance, areas where people stand might require different calculations from spaces with tables and chairs. As the students in the campus restaurant are eating, studying, or both, one must also consider how the furniture arrangement and the activities affect the occupant load. The code might suggest an SF per person based on the expectation that people will mostly be seated at tables.
In conclusion, determining the occupant load SF for Assembly without fixed seating involves consulting local building codes tailored to the specific space functions and expected behaviors of the occupants. These calculations ensure safety and compliance with legal requirements.