Which statement best describes how occupant load is calculated?

Which statement best describes how occupant load is calculated?

• A. It is determined by counting the number of exits.
• B. It is determined by floor area multiplied by building height.
• C. It is computed by applying the occupant load factor to the floor area to estimate the maximum number of occupants.
• D. It is based on the number of doors.

Answer: (C)

Occupant load is the estimated maximum number of people a space can safely accommodate, determined by applying the occupant load factor to the floor area. Multiply the floor area by the occupancy factor for that use to estimate how many people can fit, and for mixed spaces, compute for each portion and sum. Exits, building height, or the number of doors don’t set the occupant load—they relate to egress capacity and safety design rather than how many people the space is designed to hold.

Occupant load is the estimated maximum number of people a space can safely accommodate, determined by applying the occupant load factor to the floor area. Multiply the floor area by the occupancy factor for that use to estimate how many people can fit, and for mixed spaces, compute for each portion and sum. Exits, building height, or the number of doors don’t set the occupant load—they relate to egress capacity and safety design rather than how many people the space is designed to hold.