In this video I review how to calculate maximum occupancy for a bar. Coming up!
Hey, Rick Uzubell again from Bar Designers, where I share my ideas and
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For those who are unaware, the stated occupancy for all buildings is a
combination of the building code and fire codes. The International Building
Code, known as 'IBC', is a solid point of reference but can be superseded by local
codes because it's regarded as the minimum acceptable standard.
The local fire official has the final stamp of approval of stated occupancies. For this
discussion, the building of interest will be a one-story 4,700 square foot, non-sprinkled
restaurant-bar and the IBC is what I'll be referencing.
As defined in the IBC, restaurants and bars fall under the use and classification of 'Assembly Group A-2'
and the most basic governing limitation is the quantity of egresses,
known as exits. Fire safety is at the core of all building codes and egress
is the first criteria we need to address.
The following table stipulates the
number of exits for various occupancies: 0-49 - one exit, 50 - 500 - two exits,
501 to 1,000 - three exits and >1,000 - four exits.
The general guidelines for floor area allowances per occupant for A-2 Assembly
is as follows: concentrated chairs only (not fixed) -
7 square feet per patron;
standing space only - 5 square feet
and unconcentrated tables and chairs - 15 square feet.
When calculating occupancy we do not use one calculation for the entire building.
We need to apply the occupancy rules for
each of the various areas to attain accurate calculations.
Consider the 4,700 square foot, one-story non-sprinkled sports bar-restaurant shown here.
The following is an evaluation of each seating area in the 'front-of-the-house':
the reception area is a 30 square foot space in the vestibule; IBC allows us to
factor five square feet per patron as this as a standing space; this yields a
total occupancy of six. We would only be allowed seven square per patron
if this were chairs-only.
For the bar, we cannot include the area
inside the bar in our calculation - only the number of seats around the perimeter, which is 29.
The overall area of the bar and adjacent 'Bar Dining' is 1,393 sq.ft.,
but in order to calculate the occupancy for 'Bar Dining', we must deduct
the area of the bar, which is 410 sq.ft.
This leaves us a net calculation of 983 sq.ft.
and according to IBC, for areas with tables and chairs,
we need to allocate 15 sq.ft. per patron in this area,
which yields an occupancy of 65.
The fourth area of this facility is the Dining Room.
Again, in order to calculate occupancy, we can all use the 'net area', as
depicted within this border, which is 681 sq.ft., and because we're using
tables and chairs the occupancy for the Dining Room is 45.
The VIP Room, which is 183 sq.ft., and has tables
and sofas. We again apply 15 sq.ft. per patron for a total of 12.
If the Dining Room were a dance floor,
IBC would allow 5 square foot per patron, which would yield an occupant
load of 136 in that area. On the other hand, if an owner wished to operate the
dining room space as a dance floor on weekends, the local fire official may
only grant the most restrictive occupancy of 45.
If this were a fine dining facility, many owners
would likely create a more comfortable open space by
allocating 18-20 sq.ft. per patron, which would reduce the occupant load to 34-37.
Back to the example at-hand, to calculate the tentative
occupancy of this building, we simply tally the occupant loads from each
given area, for a total of 157.
The Building Code is constantly evolving.
According to my good friend, architect
Tom Kuhn of CKS Architects, as of 2018
IBC now requires businesses in Occupancy A-2
that serve alcohol, any new or existing
modified fire area over 1,500 sq.ft. would be required
to have sprinklers, if you want to meet the current code without implementing
workaround design parameters available in Chapter 34.
Always consult your local architect.
I want to thank our good friends at Bullpen Luxury Sports Bar and
Gelsomos Pizza for their courtesy.
A great place to hang-out, have pizza and
watch the game.
The final-stated occupancy of any commercial building is the decision of a
local fair marshall. See you next time!