Business Training Center Occupant / Plumbing Fixtures Load

[Mech]

2009 IBC

7,000 sf training center

About 2,900 sf is used for computer class room, labs, and class / lab rooms. The rest is roughly a 50% storage and 50% office, mechanical room, and rest rooms.

The building code places training centers in the B occupancy group. What do I use for the floor area per occupant in the classrooms and labs? Is it 100 sf / person (business area)? Is it 20 sf net / person (classroom area)? I am thinking it is 100 sf / person.

How do I figure the required number of water closets for the classrooms and labs? From Table 2902.1, do I follow the Business classification / B occupancy row or do I use Educational classification / E occupancy? I am thinking I use the Business classification / B occupancy row.

Thanks.

 

[brudgers]

Assign the occupancy to each space, then calculate your occupant load.

 

[RLGA]

Occupancy group per Chapter 3 and "function of space" per Table 1004.1.1 are two separate things. The building may be classified as a Group B, but each space must be classified according to its use per Table 1004.1.1 for means of egress purposes.

I do a lot of university/college work, and I use the "classroom area" (20sf/occupant, net) of Table 1004.1.1 when the room is used specifically for that purpose. I generally classify computer labs as "shops and other vocational room areas" (50sf/occupant, net) per Table 1004.1.1. If the number of stations proposed exceed the design occupant load per Section1004.1, then I suggest using Section 1004.2 to increase the number, or reconsider the room as a classroom.

If a classroom exceeds 49 occupants, then I classify that classroom as a Group A-3.

For plumbing fixture counts, use the Group B ratios per Table 2902.1 for areas classified as Group B, whether they are used for classrooms or not. However, if a classroom is classified as Group A-3 due to occupant load, then I would use the Group A-3 ratios of Table 2902.1 just for those areas classified as such.