HomeMy WebLinkAboutBP 2022-00008 Certificate of Occupancy - Sephora (05-26-2022)Occupant Load Determination — Retail / Business
Occupant load purposes
Occupant load factors have been established through studies showing how much space people take
for activities and movement. These occupant load factors are based on how the space is being used.
The state fire and building codes use occupant load calculations to establish:
• Egress provisions (such as the number of doors needed and the width of doors, stairs, aisles,
and corridors)
• When fire protection systems are required (sprinklers, fire alarm systems, etc.)
• The type of occupancy (in some cases)
Common occupant load factors
Here are the common occupant load factors used in retail, business, and mercantile settings from
Table 1004.5 of the 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC):
• Mercantile — 60 sq. ft. per person
• Storage — 300 sq. ft. per person
• Offices & Businesses (typical use) — 150 sq. ft. per person
• Offices (high concentration — example: call centers) — 50 sq. ft. person
Applying occupant load factors to buildings
To determine the occupant load of a space, divide the size of the space by the occupant load factor
of Table 1004.5 (see common ones above). In many retail or business settings, there may be more
than one use. Please see the following example.
Example of occupant load determination
The following is an example of a retail building with a sales area and storage room. The occupant
load is determined by measuring the two areas, dividing by the occupant load factors for each area,
and adding the two numbers together.
j1 90 feet
Merchandise or
clothing racks
Storage Room
Merchandise shelving
displays and aisles
Since there are two uses here (retail and storage), there are two different calculations:
• Storage Room (shown in yellow):
0 90 ft. by 20 ft. = 1,800 sq. ft.
0 1,800 sq. ft. divided by 300 sq. ft. per person = 6 persons
• Retail / Mercantile Sales Area (shown in blue):
0 90 ft. by 60 ft. = 5,400 sq. ft.
0 5,400 sq. ft. divided by 60 sq. ft. per person = 90 persons
• Total occupant load = 96 persons
20 feet
60 feet
NOTE: If the occupant load calculations are for compliance with the Governor's Executive Order for
COVID-19 (50% reduction), divide the total occupant load determined above by 2 (total would be 48).
Developed May, 2020