A2 Passenger stations and depots

[Care]

To confirm an occupant load in a lounge owned and operated by a passenger station, would it be a space with non-fixed seats (0.75m2 per person) or lounges (1.85 m2 per person) ?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

To confirm an occupant load in a lounge owned and operated by a passenger station, would it be a space with non-fixed seats (0.75m2 per person) or lounges (1.85 m2 per person) ?

I think "lounge" in this case is referring to a slightly different use. Note A3.8.2.3 lumps "lounges" in the same general category as lunch rooms and cafeterias.

Given as "space with non-fixed seats" is more restrictive, use that and if someone complains that it's too restrictive, see what argument they offer to the contrary. Passenger stations are an A2 assembly occupancy (see note A-3.1.2.1.(1)) so they can't argue their way out of the assembly section of 3.1.2.1 in any event.

FYI, I searched Ontario and BC code tribunal decisions briefly - nothing there to provide additional guidance.

 

[Care]

Thank you for clarifying and referring the notes. In regards to restrictive, wouldn't a smaller square area per person be more restrictive or are you taking into account other provisions ?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

Thank you for clarifying and referring the notes. In regards to restrictive, wouldn't a smaller square area per person be more restrictive or are you taking into account other provisions ?

Assume 100m2. 0.75m2/person will lead to an occupant load of 133. Same area at 1.85 is 54.
Huge differences in terms of exit widths, potential alarm requirements, etc. So the smaller number leads to a greater occupant load, which is going to trigger more issues in terms of other design parameters.

 

[Care]

Thank you so much !

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The IBC has a category in the occupant load table for airport concourses and another for waiting areas. If a "lounge" is akin to the seating area at a gate on a departure concourse, then the ratio (in IBC terms) is 1 person per 15 gross square feet. Converting to metric, that's 1 person per 1.39 square meters -- which is in the same ballpark as 1.85 square meters option offered.

0.75 square meters per person is 8.07 s.f. per person -- which is pretty close to the IBC 7 s.f. per person for non-fixed seating. 1.85 square meters per person converts to 19.9 s.f. per person, which is slightly less dense than the IBC 15 s.f. per person for assembly seating with tables and chairs, but in the same ball park.

 

[tmurray]

Is this a rapid transit station under 3.13?

 

[Care]

Is this a rapid transit station under 3.13?

Not in this case. Would this section apply to an entire building in an intermodal station?

 

[tmurray]

Not in this case. Would this section apply to an entire building in an intermodal station?

That section is an Ontario specific section, so I don't have a lot of experience with it. I would say it only applies to the part of a building that is being used as a rapid transit stations based on the scope and the definition of rapid transit station.