The first step to take when calculating occupant load for a nightclub is to:

The first step to take when calculating occupant load for a nightclub is to:

• A. Consult the requirements of the local code.
• B. Determine the square footage of the floor area.
• C. Divide the net floor area into the total square footage.
• D. Determine the number of exits and the width of each.

Answer: (B)

Determining the usable floor area first is essential because occupant load is calculated by applying the code’s occupant load factor to that area. You can’t know how many people the space can safely hold until you know how much floor space is available to them. The process is: measure the net floor area, then apply the code’s factor for that occupancy to get the occupant load, and only then use that number to plan exits and egress. Consulting the code or sizing exits are important steps, but they come after you have the floor area and the resulting load to accommodate. The option to divide or compare areas isn’t how the calculation is typically performed, so the initial step must be determining the floor area.

Determining the usable floor area first is essential because occupant load is calculated by applying the code’s occupant load factor to that area. You can’t know how many people the space can safely hold until you know how much floor space is available to them. The process is: measure the net floor area, then apply the code’s factor for that occupancy to get the occupant load, and only then use that number to plan exits and egress. Consulting the code or sizing exits are important steps, but they come after you have the floor area and the resulting load to accommodate. The option to divide or compare areas isn’t how the calculation is typically performed, so the initial step must be determining the floor area.