1. What is Maximum Building Occupancy?

Maximum building occupancy is the highest number of people permitted to occupy a building or space at the same time, based on floor area and intended use. It's calculated by summing the occupancy limits for all floor areas in the building.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the maximum occupancy formula:

Where:

• \( floor\_area \) — Area of each space in square feet
• \( factor \) — Occupancy factor in square feet per person

Explanation: The calculation divides each floor area by its corresponding occupancy factor (which varies by space type) and sums the results, rounding down each component.

3. Importance of Occupancy Calculation

Details: Proper occupancy calculation ensures compliance with fire codes, maintains safe egress capacity, and prevents overcrowding in buildings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter comma-separated lists of floor areas and corresponding occupancy factors. For example: "1000,500" for areas and "50,30" for factors.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where do occupancy factors come from?
A: Factors are specified in building codes (e.g., IBC, NFPA) and vary by space type (office = 100 sq ft/person, classroom = 20 sq ft/person, etc.).

Q2: Does this account for multiple exits?
A: No, this is only the area-based calculation. Final occupancy may be limited by egress capacity calculations.

Q3: How are mixed-use spaces handled?
A: Each area with a distinct use should have its own area/factor pair in the calculation.

Q4: What about fixed seating areas?
A: Fixed seating areas use actual seat count rather than area calculations.

Q5: Are there exceptions to these rules?
A: Some jurisdictions may have local amendments to model codes - always check local requirements.