What is the term used to describe the maximum number of persons allowed to occupy a building or facility?

The term "Occupant Load" refers specifically to the maximum number of persons that are permitted to occupy a building or facility at any given time. This measurement is crucial for various safety and regulatory reasons, primarily concerning fire safety, building design, and egress requirements. Establishing an occupant load helps ensure that structures can provide safe egress in emergencies, such as fire evacuations, by determining how many exits are necessary and how wide those exits should be.

Occupant load is calculated based on specific factors, including the use of the space, its square footage, and applicable building code requirements. This concept is foundational in the fields of architecture and safety regulation, ensuring that buildings are not only designed for aesthetic and functional use but that they also prioritize the safety of individuals who may occupy them.

While "occupant density," "occupant limit," and "occupancy rate" may relate to building usage and capacity planning, they do not accurately capture the technical definition and regulatory implications of the number of occupants a building can safely accommodate.