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Increased Occupancy Load

north star

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Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
4,596
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I have a space [ i.e. - a classroom ] that has been used in the past
for training individuals on large pieces of equipment.....They would
get in to the piece of equipment for their training.

The focus has now shifted to remove the large pieces of
equipment from the space and to use computer simulations for the
students.....An RDP has classified this space [ i.e. - classroom ] as

a non-separated Occupancy Group B [ Educational occupancies
for students above the 12th grade ]......The area of this classroom
that is being renovated is 2,960 sq. ft, that will include moveable
tables & chairs for the students.........The whole bldg. area is
6,962 sq. ft........This same RDP has listed the Occ. Load as 70
occupants.......47 seats are currently shown on the plans.....The
classroom and building are not sprinkled.


My initial calculation for the increased occupant load, per the info
provided on the project plans, is:

2,960 sq. ft. \ 70 occs. = 42.285 sq. ft. per occ.

My concern is that this classroom exceeds the 10% of the bldg.
area [ RE: Section 508.2.1, `12 IBC ], and the Calculated Occ.

Load has increased.


QUESTION: What observations do any of you have on these
conditions ?


Thanks for any input !

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The occupant load can be reduced if approved by the building official, but the space will need to be posted with the maximum occupant load approved and not the calculated occupant load.

However, if not approved, then the space will need to be classified as a Group A-3 occupancy, even though it is for adult education, because the occupant load will exceed 50. The building can still be no separated using the non separated occupancies method, but the allowable area will be based on the Group A-3, since it will be the most restrictive.
 
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cda, ...This is a military training bldg.


ADAguy, ...yes, this is a single story bldg.

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