Classrooms

Adult Education Facilities

Issue Date April 11, 2012, Rev. 11/19/12

Code/Section 2012 IBC Sections 303.4, 305, 1004 and 1607
Approved: Tom Wandrie, Mark Sipes, Steve Noblet
Developed By: J. Belyeu, Building Official

Issue:
For grades K through 12, the International Building Code (IBC) classifies the occupancy of classrooms as E
regardless of occupant load. The IBC classifies adult education facilities such as colleges and universities as B
occupancies. In adult education facilities, however, the IBC changes the occupancy classification from B
(classroom) to A-3 (lecture hall) if the occupant load of the classroom exceeds 49.

For classrooms, IBC Table 1004.1.2 provides an occupant load factor of 20 square feet per person for exiting
purposes. The Table does not list a category for lecture halls, but using the Assembly category, without fixed
seats, unconcentrated (tables and chairs), one could determine the occupant load for such a lecture hall at 15
square feet per person.

IBC Table 1607.1 calls for a 100 psf uniform live load for assembly areas with movable seats; the Table calls for
40 psf uniform live load for classrooms in schools.

The IBC does not define the terms school and classroom. Nor does there appear to be a direct correlation
between the occupant load factors in IBC Table 1004.1.2 and the live load requirements of IBC Table 1607.1,
however, IBC Section 1607.3 requires that the maximum loads expected by the intended use or occupancy be
used when determining the floor live load.

School – There are multiple definitions of school in the dictionary; the definitions are broad and encompass
university, college and all other education levels and interest categories, including scholarly, social and
theological pursuits.1

Classroom – a place for conducting formal instruction of students by a teacher in a school or university.1

Interpretation:
Under the following conditions, it is acceptable for adult education facilities to use 40 psf uniform live load2 for
classrooms where the occupant load of the classroom exceeds 49 people:

1. The maximum occupant load of the classroom is based on 20 square feet per person in accordance with
Table 1004.1.2.

2. The Team Leader has worked with the applicant to determine how the owner intends for the space to be
used. This analysis shall include additional floor plans drawn to scale showing the intended uses for the
space. If uses in addition to that of classroom are intended, the floor live load must be determined by the
structural design professional based on the maximum loads expected by the intended use or occupancy.

3. The structural code consistency coordinator agrees that the uniform live load is appropriate for the
proposed design.

1
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged.
2
2012 IBC Table 1607.1, Use 27. Schools, Classrooms.
Page 1 of 1

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Contact Planning & Development at (602) 262-7811 voice or (602) 534-5500 TTY.
S:\Classrooms, Adult Education Facilities TRT/DOC/00769
WEB\dsd_trt_pdf_00769 New 11/12
   Space   Area   Occupancy  Type   Occupancy  Factor   Occupancy  
 
FLOOR  1   Class  1   1505  sq  ft.   A3   *   92  
  Class  2   1770  sq  ft.   A3   *   100  
  Class  3   2039  sq  ft.   A3   *   125  
  Class  4   1874  sq  ft.   A3   *   135  
Group  
100  Gross  sq  ft.  
  Work  Space   934  sq  ft.   B   10  
per  person  
1  
Group  
100  Gross  sq  ft.  
  Work  Space   558  sq  ft.   B   6  
per  person  
2  
Atrium/  
100  Gross  sq  ft.  
  Study   6239  sq  ft.   B   62  
per  person  
Space  
 
FLOOR  2   Class  5   1280  sq  ft.   A3   *   80  
  Class  6   2438  sq  ft.   A3   *   120  
  Class  7   955  sq  ft.   A3   *   80  
  Class  8   1495  sq  ft.   A3   *   90  
Study   100  Gross  sq  ft.  
  885  sq  ft.   B   9  
Room  1   per  person  
Study   100  Gross  sq  ft.  
  1138  sq  ft.   B   11  
Room  2   per  person  
 
Gymnasium   Gymnasium   7000  sq  ft.   A3   *   100  
 
*  For  college  classrooms  in  which  the  total  number  of  occupants  is  above  49,  the  occupancy  
type  is  not  type  B,  it  is  type  A3  and  the  amount  of  occupants  acceptable  is  determined  by  the  
number  of  seats  that  can  fit  into  the  space  while  still  being  code  compliant.  Minimum  of  18”  
width  for  seat.    
 Types  of   #  of   Service   Water  
  Sink   Toilet  
Occupancy   Occupants   Sink   Fountain  
3  Men   4  Men    
A3  Occupancy  
FLOOR  1   452   1   1      
Requirements  
3  Women   7  Women  
1  Men   1  Men  
B  Occupancy  
  78   1   1      
Requirements  
1  Women   2  Women  
5  Men  (two  
4  Men   of  which  is  a  
  Total   530   2   2     urinal)  
4  Women    
9  Women  
   
2  Men   3  Men  
A3  Occupancy  
FLOOR  2   370     1   1      
Requirements  
2  Women   6  Women  
1  Toilet  
(shared)…  
1  Men  
B  Occupancy   We  are  going  
  20   0   1    
Requirements   to  put  it  in  
1  Women  
the  men’s  
restroom  
4  Men  (two  
3  Men   of  which  is  a  
  Total   390   1   2     urinal)  
3  Women    
6  Women  
   
1  Men   1  Men    
A3  Occupancy  
GYMNASIUM   100   0   2      
Requirements  
1  Women   2  Women  
 
 1’-2”

3’-10” 2’-10”
3’ 2’-5” 2’-6”
1’-7” 2’

Bathroom Dimensions
1/8” - 1’-0”
First Floor Bathroom Plans
1/8” - 1’-0”
Second Floor Bathroom Plans
1/8” - 1’-0”