In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about occupant load calculation.
Q: Can you please explain how the Life Safety Code (LSC) determines occupant load? I am trying to figure out the occupancy load for certain rooms around our hospital. For example, one room is 10 by 10 feet and the manager wants to convert this unused room into a small interview office for two people.
A: Unless otherwise stated in the Life Safety Code, the occupant load (number of persons allowed) in any given area is determined by dividing the gross area (in square feet) of a room by the occupant load factor found in Table 7.3.1.2 of the 2000 and 2012 editions of the LSC.
For healthcare occupancies, the occupant load factor is 240 square feet per person for inpatient treatment departments, and 120 square feet per person for sleeping departments.
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