Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter 10 - Means of Egress
Section 1004 - OCCUPANT LOAD
Subsection 1004.1 - Design occupant load
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
In determining means of egress requirements, the number of occupants for whom means of egress facilities shall be provided shall be determined in accordance with this section. Where occupants from accessory areas egress through a primary space, the calculated occupant load for the primary space shall include the total occupant load of the primary space plus the number of occupants egressing through it from the accessory area.
1004.1.1 Areas without fixed seating. The number of occupants shall be computed at the rate of one occupant per unit of area as prescribed in Table 1004.1.1. For areas without fixed seating, the occupant load shall not be less than that number determined by dividing the floor area under consideration by the occupant per unit of area factor assigned to the occupancy as set forth in Table 1004.1.1. Where an intended use is not listed in Table 1004.1.1, the building official shall establish a use based on a listed use that most nearly resembles the intended use.
Exception: Where approved by the building official, the actual number of occupants for whom each occupied space, floor or building is designed, although less than those determined by calculation, shall be permitted to be used in the determination of the design occupant load.
TABLE 1004.1.1 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA ALLOWANCES PER OCCUPANT
| FUNCTION OF SPACE | FLOOR AREA IN SQ. FT. PER OCCUPANT |
| Accessory storage areas, mechanical equipment room | 300 gross |
| Agricultural building | 300 gross |
| Aircraft hangars | 500 gross |
| Airport terminal | |
| Baggage claim | 20 gross |
| Baggage handling | 300 gross |
| Concourse | 100 gross |
| Waiting areas | 15 gross |
| Assembly | |
| Gaming floors (keno, slots, etc.) | 11 gross |
| Assembly with fixed seats | See Section 1004.7 |
| Assembly without fixed seats | |
| Concentrated (chairs only-not fixed) | 7 net |
| Standing space | 5 net |
| Unconcentrated (tables and chairs) | 15 net |
| Bowling centers, allow 5 persons for each lane including 15 feet of runway, and for additional areas | 7 net |
| Business areas | 100 gross |
| Courtrooms-other than fixed seating areas | 40 net |
| Day care | 35 net |
| Dormitories | 50 gross |
| Educational | |
| Classroom area | 20 net |
| Shops and other vocational room areas | 50 net |
| Exercise rooms | 50 gross |
| H-5 Fabrication and manufacturing areas | 200 gross |
| Industrial areas | 100 gross |
| Institutional areas | |
| Inpatient treatment areas | 240 gross |
| Outpatient areas | 100 gross |
| Sleeping areas | 120 gross |
| Kitchens, commercial | 200 gross |
| Library | |
| Reading rooms | 50 net |
| Stack area | 100 gross |
| Locker rooms | 50 gross |
| Mercantile | |
| Areas on other floors | 60 gross |
| Basement and grade floor areas | 30 gross |
| Storage, stock, shipping areas | 300 gross |
| Parking garages | 200 gross |
| Residential | 200 gross |
| Skating rinks, swimming pools | |
| Rink and pool | 50 gross |
| Decks | 15 gross |
| Stages and platforms | 15 net |
| Warehouses | 500 gross |
| For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2. | |
