If it is possible that the entire space can be used for any single purpose you’ll want to calculate the occupant load using the largest occupant load factor applied to the entire area of the room.
Table 1004.5 has a column labeled “Function of Space,” not “Occupancy.” The function of a K-12 classroom is the same as the function of a police training classroom. Someone is at the front trying to teach people sitting in the room - doesn’t matter if they’re at desks, in chairs with clipboards in their laps, or whatever.
Out of curiosity, what is your role in the project to be having this discussion with the architect, sounds like you’re in a position to correct the architect.
How many more occupants would there be if 5 s.f./occupant were to be applied? How would that effect the egress system or other things, such as required plumbing fixtures? Basically I’m wondering - assuming you’re in a position to correct/direct the architect - why they would push back on possibly oversizing the egress system.
I think 5 s.f./occupant seems dense for what I picture the tactical training to involve. 50 s.f./occupant for exercise rooms might be OK. It makes me think of a martial arts studio, here’s a link to a thread that started to discuss martial arts studios, see Post #8 and following, maybe there’s something useful there for you:
I am working on a real estate office. There is a 648 sf training room and a 555 sf break room, the other 6200 sf is office use . The reviewer wants me to put panic hardware on all of the exit/ exit access doors. See below for permit comment and my response. He came back with the exact same...
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