Occupant Load Factors

How many people a space is designed to hold, worked out from its floor area and what it is used for. Occupant load is the number that sizes exits, stairs, plumbing fixtures and ventilation, so it is usually the first figure a code review asks for.

• The design occupant load for each space, from its floor area divided by the area allowed per person for its use.
• Whether that use is measured on net or gross floor area.
• The National Building Code and Fire Code factors side by side, with the stricter one marked where they differ.
• A total for the whole floor or building, ready to carry into the exit and parking calculators.
• Follows: PD 1096 (National Building Code), Section 1207 and Table XII.1 of its implementing rules; RA 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines), 2019 revised implementing rules, occupancy divisions.
• The factors are minimums for design. A space you expect to hold more people than its factor gives should be designed for the larger number.

• Fire Exit Width Calculator (Fire Code)
• Parking Requirement Calculator (Philippines)
• Natural Ventilation and Window Calculator
• Step-by-step guide: Occupant Load Factors