Travel Distance Based on Total Occupancy?

[Stanovby]

I am remodeling a restaurant & I am trying to determine what the required distance is for a space that only has one exit. The space is not sprinklered. It seems that the travel distance is based on occupancy & not only seating. Is that correct? Do I have to include the employees in the kitchen & standing space at the counter? I have 49 seats

 

[arwat23]

Include the occupant load of the entire space that uses that single exit, including employee spaces. 49 seats (assuming fixed in place otherwise seat count doesn't matter) means you're likely exceeding the maximum OL allowed for one exit.

Travel distance for a space with one exit is based on IBC Table 1006.2.1, which relies on the occupant load of the space. Travel distance is affected by the furniture layout.

Lets say for the sake of argument you have an OL of 49 for the entire space that is served by one exit or exit access. One exit is required. Max common path of egress travel is 75 feet.

 

[RLGA]

The travel distance for a single exit will be based on the common path of egress travel per IBC Table 1006.3.4(2). If the dining area's occupant load is greater than 49, then you must have two exits, regardless of whether the one and only exit is within the common path of egress travel distance.

The occupant load for tables and chairs is based on 15 sq. ft. per occupant. If you have booths, then the occupant load for those seats is based on Section 1004.6. The area for calculating the occupant load based on tables and chairs can exclude the areas occupied by booths.

Even if the dining area has a maximum occupant load of 49, the kitchen area will push the total over 49; thus, Table 1006.3.4(2) cannot be used since that applies to stories and the entire story would be over 49.

 

[Stanovby]

yes I have 49 seats. This is a remodel of an existing space which only has one exit. There is a front counter which would have standing space & if they were to put in kiosks that would be even more occupants. I was unsure if kitchen employees would count as well. The code says 49 occupants so I was not sure if that meant just seats or also standing space as well.

 

[arwat23]

yes I have 49 seats. This is a remodel of an existing space which only has one exit. There is a front counter which would have standing space & if they were to put in kiosks that would be even more occupants. I was unsure if kitchen employees would count as well. The code says 49 occupants so I was not sure if that meant just seats or also standing space as well.

Seats, unfortunately, mean nothing (unless they're fixed in place - see IBC 1004.6) and the 49 max occupants includes all occupants in the space. Whatever the OL is for the space, as determined by 1004, is what you plug into Table 1006.2.1. Makes remodels of assembly spaces a pain sometimes.

 

[Stanovby]

Also isn't the 75' distance a common path of travel and not the primary path? If I have one path of travel from a remote point does the common path still come into play? The primary path of travel is 150' per IBC 1028.7

 

[RLGA]

Also isn't the 75' distance a common path of travel and not the primary path? If I have one path of travel from a remote point does the common path still come into play? The primary path of travel is 150' per IBC 1028.7

If it is 150 feet from the most remote point to the one and only exit, then you have exceeded the 75-foot maximum common path of egress travel distance.

 

[Paul Sweet]

What did the code the restaurant was built or first approved under require?