Kitchen Storage Areas - Occupant Load

[Phil B]

Table 1004.5 in the building code has a category for Storage spaces in a Mercantile occupancy, but doesn't list one for Storage in other occupancies. Section 311.1.1 says if the storage is accessory to another occupancy then it's classified as part of that occupancy. Building code occupancy factors for Kitchens are 200 and Life Safety occupancy factors for Kitchens are 100. Wouldn't 300 be most probable for a Kitchen storage area? What about coolers and freezers - they should be '0'.

 

[walker.t]

Section 311.1.1 says if the storage is accessory to another occupancy then it's classified as part of that occupancy.

311.1.1 is referring to the occupancy group classification, not the use of the space which is what Table 1004.5 covers. So, if I have an office with accessory storage, it’s all Group B, not mixed occupancy with Group B and Group S.

Wouldn't 300 be most probable for a Kitchen storage area?

Unless there’s something about your kitchen storage that is significantly different than what you would expect to find in Mercantile storage, I’d say it’s OK to use the 300 s.f./occupant.

What about coolers and freezers - they should be '0'.

I would consider walk-in coolers and freezers like small rooms and include their area in the occupant load calculation. However, I know in practice their occupant load is basically 0, I worked at a fast food restaurant and kitchen staff spent hardly any time in the coolers.

 

[steveray]

Table 1004.5 in the building code has a category for Storage spaces in a Mercantile occupancy, but doesn't list one for Storage in other occupancies. Section 311.1.1 says if the storage is accessory to another occupancy then it's classified as part of that occupancy. Building code occupancy factors for Kitchens are 200 and Life Safety occupancy factors for Kitchens are 100. Wouldn't 300 be most probable for a Kitchen storage area? What about coolers and freezers - they should be '0'.

What about a freezer warehouse?

 

[Phil B]

What about a freezer warehouse?

In that case I'd say 300 because that useage dicates how many people operate / work in the facility, whereas freezers and coolers in a restaurant are used by the people who are covered under the 1 per 200 (1 per 100 per NFPA 101).

 

[steveray]

In that case I'd say 300 because that useage dicates how many people operate / work in the facility, whereas freezers and coolers in a restaurant are used by the people who are covered under the 1 per 200 (1 per 100 per NFPA 101).

1 per 200 is gross....Count the freezer.....