A-2 Night Club Occupancy Load

[goodwork]

For this ≈3000sqft night club, we have some questions on what the correct way to count the number of occupants.
Assumptions/Questions:

• Stage = 15 net
• Sofas = can these count as "fixed seating" like booths, per IBC 1004.6? If not, how must this area be calculated, Tables & Chairs e.g. 15 net?
• Area around stage and in purple I am from the school of calculating this as part of the Assembly Area, or gross business area. Others have suggested it can be marked as 'egress' and not contribute to the Occupant Load -- is that crazy?
• Offices = 100 gross business
• Toilet room & utility room = 100 gross business or does not contribute?

As you might imagine, the owner would like to get the Occupant Load under 100 in order to avoid sprinklers per 903.2.1.2.

 

[steveray]

Thats a little dicey.....Have plans with dimensions?

 

[Sifu]

I start with the easiest case to make....straight out of the code and the obvious, then work towards the goal, with the understanding that justification must be made to back off that number. My 10,000ft view: Stage at 15-net, couches at unconcentrated 15-net, toilets don't contribute, egress would not contribute although I think the purple might be an overly generous representation of that, offices at 150-gross, back of house at 300-gross, back of bar at 200-gross. I would be asking where the standing space is....it is a club, so seldom would there not be standers or people waiting. Depending on the venue, there could be dancing? As a BO, I would need to consider what happens when a really good band is in the house and the couches get moved, so if they aren't permanently fixed, the 18" space is out (or the 24" booth). Without dimensions no way to tell, but it looks to me like you will be over 100 no matter what.

 

[goodwork]

Thanks, @Sifu it is a dance club. However, in the event a future tenant took over the space, the stage could be used for live music, for example, in which case the 'egress' area around the stage may likely become standing room, to your point. Appreciate the input.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Thanks, @Sifu it is a dance club. However, in the event a future tenant took over the space, the stage could be used for live music, for example, in which case the 'egress' area around the stage may likely become standing room, to your point. Appreciate the input.

Dance club? Where's the dance floor?

From my quick look, the entrance area (between the doors and what appears to be a screen wall (height unknown) would certainly be 1:5. Most of the area around the stage (the portion you have colored in) would also be 1:5. Are the sofas moveable, or fixed (as in booths)? If moveable the area occupied by the sofas and tables would be 1:15.

I can see omitting a portion of the rear egress corridor. Not all of it, but perhaps the portion from the restroom alcove right, to the exit door. Toilet rooms don't count, of course. Offices 1:150.

 

[goodwork]

@Yankee Chronicler it's an exotic dance club. Does that make a difference?

 

[Joe.B]

@Yankee Chronicler it's an exotic dance club. Does that make a difference?

Awesome. Yes, it makes a difference, it's more awesome!

He's asking because different areas are measured differently. The "dance floor" would be measured differently than a "stage". I would recommend calling it a stage for performers.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

@Yankee Chronicler it's an exotic dance club. Does that make a difference?

Not to me. Is that supposed to mean something?

 

[Sifu]

Strip club......goodwork if you can get it.

Sorry.