Work out occupancy load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Occupant load is floor area divided by the area allowed per person for the use: about 1.4 square metres for assembly standing space, 9.3 for business use and 4.6 for education. The load then drives the number of exits, with two required above 50 occupants and three above 500, and the total exit width at roughly 5 mm per person.
Occupant load
People = ceil(floor area / area per occupant)
Exit provision
Exits: 1 up to 50, 2 above 50, 3 above 500; width = occupants x 5 mm
Preliminary estimate only. Occupant load factors, exit counts and widths must be taken from the building or fire code adopted locally.
People = ceil(floor area / area per occupant). Occupant load is floor area divided by the area allowed per person for the use: about 1.4 square metres for assembly standing space, 9.3 for business use and 4.6 for education.
It depends on the occupancy. Assembly and education use net floor area of the occupied space, while business and storage uses are calculated on gross area including circulation.
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Floor area, Area per occupant. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.