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Occupancy Limits Compliance Guidelines

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

Arizona State University (ASU) has facilities of various types of occupancy and construction, which are occupied 24 hours a day. Access and egress systems are required by local, state, and federal regulations to be maintained free of obstruction and separated from other areas within the facility. The department, unit, or organization is responsible for ensuring that their operation does not obstruct exit systems and occupancy limits to ensure safe egress. ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety’s primary objective is to identify safety hazards and ensure the occupants correct and maintain exit discharge systems in order to ensure safe access and egress and establish occupancy limits as necessary by code or to create a safer environment. The following guideline has been prepared for all occupants of university facilities in accordance with applicable codes and standards, ASU Fire Prevention and Safety Plan, and ASU Policies and Procedures.

REQUIREMENTS

Maximum Occupancy Limits
Occupancy limits are established to help ensure a facility and an area within a facility can evacuate in a safe and efficient manner. Occupancy limits are determined by dividing the square footage of an area by the occupant load factor within table 10-A of the Uniform Building Code (UBC). Table 10-A is also used to determine the number of exits required. Therefore, the UBC table 10-A is utilized to determine the minimum egress requirements for any type of occupancy. Table 10-B of UBC is referenced to determine the egress width per person served for stairways and other egress components such as corridors and ramps. The user of an area of a facility (e.g., classroom, lecture hall, auditorium) must be aware of the maximum occupant load of the area and ensure the area does not exceed the limits. The following common university occupancy uses are referenced with the Occupant Load Factor (OLF) and Number Of Exit Requirements (NOER):

• Auditoriums, chapels, dance floors, lobby access to assembly occupancies, reviewing stands, and stadiums—OLF (7), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Waiting rooms—OLF (3), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Assembly areas—conference rooms, dining rooms, drinking establishments, exhibit rooms gymnasiums, lounges, and stages—OLF (15), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Bowling Alley—OLF (based on 5 persons per bowling lane to include the runway), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Classrooms—OLF (20), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Congregated Residences—OLF (200), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 10 or more).

• Dormitories (Residential Halls)—OLF (50), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 10 or more).

• Dwellings—OLF (300), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 10 or more).

• Exercising Rooms—OLF (50), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Garage, Parking—OLF (200), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• Health Care Facilities (treatment rooms)—OLF (240), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 10 or more).

• Hotels and Apartments—OLF (200), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 10 or more).

• Kitchen (commercial)—OLF (200), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• Library—OLF (50 for reading rooms, 100 for stacks), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more for reading rooms and 30 or more for stacks).

• Locker Rooms—OLF (50), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• Mechanical Equipment Rooms—OLF (300), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• Nurseries for children—OLF (35), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 7 or more).

• Offices—OLF (100), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• School shops and vocational rooms—OLF (50), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Storage and stock rooms—OLF (300), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

• Stores (retail sales rooms)—OLF (30 for basements and ground floors, 60 for above ground floors), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Swimming Pools—OLF (50 for pool area, 15 for the deck), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 50 or more).

• Warehouses—OLF (500), NOER (minimum of 2 when occupant load is 30 or more).

In addition to calculating the maximum occupant load of an area of a facility as well as the entire facility, the width of all aisles, stairways, corridors, passageways, and exit doors must be determined in order to accommodate a safe and efficient egress.

The facility user can contact the university fire marshal to determine the maximum occupant load of any area as well as determination of the width of aisles and other components of the exit system. For more information or to contact the university fire marshal, call (480) 965-1823 or e-mail at risk@asu.edu.

Determining the Exit Location
The exit location is very important especially when 2 or more are required. When the UBC Table 10-A and other sections of this code requires 2 or more exits, the second exit must be a minimum of half the room distance away from the main entry/exit. Half of the room distance is measured from one corner of the room to the opposite corner of the room (diagonal measurement). If the room is rectangular in shape, the measurement is taken from the largest diagonal room measurement.

1. More specific requirements of the exit and exit door may be required based on other factors related to the facility design and the type of occupancy which are more complex for this guideline.

APPLICABLE REGULATIONS

29 CFR Part 1910
Arizona Administrative Code R4-36-201 et seq.

UNIVERSITY DOCUMENTATION AND MANUALS

Arizona State University Fire Prevention and Safety Plan

This guideline is provided as a general guideline for occupancy limits and does not cover all code compliance issues. If you have any questions or concerns, or need additional information, contact the ASU Fire Marshal at (480) 965-1823 or e-mail at EHS@asu.edu.

Mailing Address: PO Box 873804, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3804
Contact Email: EHS@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-1823
FAX:  (480) 965-0736