The Significant Changes to the 2006 International Codes series has been developed by the International Code Council and published
by Thomson-Delmar Learning to accommodate the transition from the 2003 to the 2006 editions of the International Codes. To purchase books in the series, visit the Code Council website.
International Fire Code
SUBJECT: Occupant Load Determination for Day Care Uses
CHANGE TYPE: Addition
TABLE 1004.1.21
MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA ALLOWANCES PER OCCUPANT
OCCUPANCY
FUNCTION OF SPACE
|
FLOOR AREA IN SQ.
FT. PER OCCUPANT |
Day Care |
35 net |
(portions of table not shown did not change)
|
CHANGE SIGNIFICANCE: Previously, there was no guidance
in the code for the determination of the design occupant
load in a day care facility. Where such uses
occurred, it was difficult to determine an appropriate
factor from Table 1004.1.1 because day care was not specifically addressed, and none of the listed functions
had similar density characteristics. The factor of 35 square feet per occupant is appropriate to address the anticipated number of children, furnishings and equipment typically found in day care facilities. The “net floor
area” of the day care facility is the value to be used in
applying the 35-square-foot-per-occupant factor, which is
limited to only the actual occupied area of the day care
use. The floor areas of normally unoccupied spaces, such
as toilet rooms, closets and corridors, are not required to
have a calculated occupant load in day care occupancies
based on the definition of “floor area, net.”
|