Elementary School Cafeteria occupancy load

[kurt999]

IBC 2018
K-8 Elementary school addition -- classrooms and cafeteria

I have a question regarding occupancy load for an elementary school cafeteria. I'm using the 15 net figure, and just calculating using the total SF of the cafeteria.
The cafeteria has a pass-through / circulation space function, but otherwise is a dedicated dining space only (not a multi-use space).
Am I able to subtract some amount of circulation space from the occupancy?
The tables will always be set up in place, but I don't think movable furniture can be subtracted -- ?
The reason for all this is that the calculated occupant load is more than the actual user group, and the number is driving up my plumbing fixture count.
Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

 

[RLGA]

Am I able to subtract some amount of circulation space from the occupancy?

Technically, no. The larger square footage per occupant for the unconcentrated assembly use takes into consideration the required aisles for circulation. However, if there is a circulation path that is clearly defined by the use of distinctive design elements (e.g., low-height walls, railings, change in flooring materials, etc.) that make it clear that the area is not part of the seating area, then you may possibly convince the B.O. to allow you to exclude that area.

 

[steveray]

How many square feet are you trying to get rid of? I am way more giving on a bathroom fixture than an egress requirement...

 

[kurt999]

Thanks for the comments.
Makes sense that some circulation is already baked in. Good thought on a defined circulation -- I will likely look into that.

The square feet driving more fixtures is very small -- it literally equates to a half-dozen occupants kicking me up to needing another fixture.

 

[steveray]

Thanks for the comments.
Makes sense that some circulation is already baked in. Good thought on a defined circulation -- I will likely look into that.

The square feet driving more fixtures is very small -- it literally equates to a half-dozen occupants kicking me up to needing another fixture.

I would gladly accept or find a way to shed 6 people if I were the BO.....Sounds like 90sqft somewhere....

 

[steveray]

Some good verbiage from the commentary:

Business Facilities

Consider a barber college where the code classifies the entire building as a Group B occupancy. The building has several large assembly rooms where the intent is to have training sessions for large groups of students. Clearly, these areas are used for assembly; therefore, the use of the fixture ratios in Section 1, Description Row 5 of Table 403.1 should be used.

The choice of an occupancy use for the purposes of determining plumbing fixtures does not affect the occupancy group chosen for IBC purposes, that being for egress. In other words, using a previous example, the school gymnasium with stage space should be chosen to be “assembly use” for plumbing fixture requirements, but the entire building is still a Group E occupancy for the purposes of egress as far as the IBC is concerned.

Note that Section 1004.1.2 has an exception that allows for the designer to present (propose) an “actual” occupancy load number to the code official for approval instead of the calculated load for the occupancy square footage. While this exception would allow a smaller occupancy load to be chosen for the purposes of determining the required number of plumbing fixtures, code officials must carefully consider and appropriately justify the reduction. The code official should consider the potential for the space to be loaded with more persons than proposed by the designer, future use by different tenants of the same occupancy classification and the difficulty of enforcement of the maximum occupancy load for the limited number of plumbing fixtures provided.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

IBC 2018
K-8 Elementary school addition -- classrooms and cafeteria

I have a question regarding occupancy load for an elementary school cafeteria. I'm using the 15 net figure, and just calculating using the total SF of the cafeteria.
The cafeteria has a pass-through / circulation space function, but otherwise is a dedicated dining space only (not a multi-use space).
Am I able to subtract some amount of circulation space from the occupancy?
The tables will always be set up in place, but I don't think movable furniture can be subtracted -- ?
The reason for all this is that the calculated occupant load is more than the actual user group, and the number is driving up my plumbing fixture count.
Any thoughts?
Thank you in advance.

I primarily work on schools, and very often in cafeterias I find that the actual seat count for the tables and chairs is higher than the calculated 1 per 15 occupant load. And in that case you need to use the higher number. Just something for you to check.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I don't think I have ever seen a school in which the cafeteria was ONLY a cafeteria, and never used for any other purpose.

 

[steveray]

I don't think I have ever seen a school in which the cafeteria was ONLY a cafeteria, and never used for any other purpose.

Corriteria.....Cafenasium......