Interpretation #7651

Published October 09, 2015

Download Final PDF

Original Request

Code Version
2014
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Chapter
Section
1004
Topic
Hotel occupancy limit

Question

Is it the intent of Section 1004 and table 1004.1.2 therein for it to be used as a gauge by local building or code compliance officials to determine and enforce the number of beds or guests permitted in any given hotel room of an existing Florida licensed and operating hotel?

Answer Published 10/09/2015 at 12:39 PM

No, 1004 is not to limit occupant load, but to calculate the
means of egress requirements.

Commentary

Table 1004.1.2 is the floor area per occupant (or in other words the maximum occupant load). It is the intent of Section 1004 to limit the number of occupants that may be assigned by the authority having jurisdiction for use in the computations required to establish the required means of egress. In particular, Section 1004.2 states, "...the occupant load...is permitted to be increased...provided that all other requirements of the code are also met...and the occupant load does not exceed one occupant per 7 square feet..."