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Festival seating in a convention center

cda has it right. They need to define aisle space then do a net calc. Then you can post an ooc load.
 
Sections 1028.8, 1029.9 and 1029.10 cover the seating (non fixed) and the aisle widths based on the number of seats per row. A chair and the clear space row in front use about 2.25 sg ft per chair.

I believe AegisFPE is corrrect when he stated

Therefore, it seems reasonable to include the aisles as part of the assembly occupancy space, and not deduct them from the net area under consideration, as this is both consistent with a reasonable interpretation of the code, and provides the ability to identify an occupant load to a space without necessitating an exact seating arrangement.
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From Example in IBC Commentary:

The net floor area permits the exclusion of certain spaces that would be included in the gross floor area... The area used for permanent building components, such as shafts, fixed equipment, thicknesses of walls, corridors, stairways, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closets, is not included in net floor area. For example, consider a restaurant dining area with dimensions measured from the inside of the enclosing walls of 80 feet by 60 feet. Within the restaurant area is a 6-inch privacy wall running the length of the room (80 feet by 0.5 feet = 40 square feet), a fireplace (40 square feet) and a cloak room (60 square feet). Each of these areas is deducted from the restaurant area, resulting in a net floor area of 4,660 square feet. Since the restaurant intends to have unconcentrated seating that involves loose tables and chairs, the resulting occupant load is 311 persons (4,660 divided by 15).

As the definition of “Floor area, net” indicates, certain spaces are to be excluded from the gross floor area to derive the net floor area. The key point in this definition is that the net floor area is to include the actual occupied area and does not include spaces uncharacteristic of that occupancy.
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It is clear that a restaurant with 311 persons must have circulation space, but these aisles are not excluded from the net floor area.
 
Now the plan is to provide seating (concentrated chairs only, not fixed) and the code says 7 net.
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Another very important and often overlooked section if they are going to provide temporary seating:

1028.12 Seat stability. In places of assembly, the seats shall be securely fastened to the floor.

Exceptions:

1. In places of assembly or portions thereof without ramped or tiered floors for seating and with 200 or fewer seats, the seats shall not be required to be fastened to the floor.

2. In places of assembly or portions thereof with seating at tables and without ramped or tiered floors for seating, the seats shall not be required to be fastened to the floor.

3. In places of assembly or portions thereof without ramped or tiered floors for seating and with greater than 200 seats, the seats shall be fastened together in groups of not less than three or the seats shall be securely fastened to the floor.

4. In places of assembly where flexibility of the seating arrangement is an integral part of the design and function of the space and seating is on tiered levels, a maximum of 200 seats shall not be required to be fastened to the floor. Plans showing seating, tiers and aisles shall be submitted for approval.

5. Groups of seats within a place of assembly separated from other seating by railings, guards, partial height walls or similar barriers with level floors and having no more than 14 seats per group shall not be required to be fastened to the floor.

6. Seats intended for musicians or other performers and separated by railings, guards, partial height walls or similar barriers shall not be required to be fastened to the floor.
 
I only disagree because at this event there will need to be clear aisle space for access and egress in the event of an emergency (IBC 1028.9). If the occupant load is determined with the net square footage of the over all space, the organizer will have people in the aisles. This is concentrated non-fixed seating net @1 per. 7 the example used in the commentary was tables and chairs @1 per. 15. big difference.
 
Great call permit guy. I did not even think about it. 13500 square foot room will most likely need to meet the requirements for seat stability.
 
The required crowd control should manage the aisle spaces as directed by the fire authority on site. Agree with MT and AFPE regarding the inclusion of the area of aisles. The number of occupants and seating arrangements determins the necessary aisle spacing and arrangements. Therefore this spece is to be maintained by crowd control as determined and based on the OL and authroity having jurisdiction.
 
The countdown has begun......tonight is the big event.

Had a pre-event meeting last week with the convention center owner, promoter, police chief, fire chief and

two state fire marshals.

The state fire marshals had argued amongst themselves, at the chicago headquarters, as to weather or not to deduct the exit access aisles when setting an occupant load. The determination was, no, you do not. The state also advised the owner that seat stability was required. (good catch permit guy)

i thought this was interesting......the main entrance has a capacity of 1,035 people, and must handle 50% of the crowd. Therefore, the other 3 exits must handle the remaining 50% which have a total capacity of 905 people.

The states determination is you take 905 x 2 = 1810...... And post the max. Occupancy load at 1810.

I don't recall ever being directed to use this type of calculation by nfpa 101 2000.....am i missing something or is this the way everybody else does it?
 
I still would have required a seating plan

Count the number of seats, made sure they had the aisles

Add stage a a few other areas

Than see if they had any extra room for people, but would try to limit standing room

As far as how the state calculated, the ibc does allow increased occupant load

If the exiting and other code requirements are there

But say with the 1810 ol, there were only seats for 1000, do you want 810 people standing around?????

Good luck tonight, hope not to see the event in the paper

Remember guns and manpower is nice to have

You did not say what type of event heavy metal or opera?

You have to watch out for those opera type people
 
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cda said:
You did not say what type of event heavy metal or opera?

You have to watch out for those opera type people
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It's Brett Michaels so it has to be a mix of heavy metal and reality tv. Be prepared for 1800 screaming women trying to take thier clothes off.
 
Day ,

Did you get an autograph????

Looked back On posts and glad to see ol got trimmed from 2500 to 1800
 
I'm still trying to recover......went early to observe the set up and confirm it was per the approved seating plan.

Everything had changed......bigger stage, exits blocked, trip hazards, seats not stabilized.....i should have known this was going to happen with a first time promoter. The police and fire chief were there with me to insure compliance right up to showtime.....we all work better under pressure.

No autograph.....i did, however, capture two cougars on the loading dock....and then released them.
 
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