What is occupant load and how does it affect egress design?

• A. The maximum number of people allowed in a space; it determines required exits, travel distance, and egress capacity.
• B. The total floor area of a space.
• C. The duration a space can be occupied per shift.
• D. The number of doors in a space.

Answer: (B)

Occupant load is the maximum number of people allowed in a space, used to size and position egress paths. This number directly drives how many exits are needed, how far occupants may have to travel to reach an exit, and the overall capacity of the egress system. You determine it by taking the space’s floor area and dividing it by the occupant load factor for that particular use, a factor that varies with occupancy type because different activities pack people more or less densely. So, a space’s density determines how many people are expected and, in turn, what egress provisions are required. The total floor area alone doesn’t tell you the occupant load, since density differs by use; how long the space is occupied doesn’t change the load count, and the number of doors is a design feature chosen to meet the required egress capacity rather than defining occupant load itself.