Compliance & HACCP
Occupancy = Floor area (m2) x Density Exit flow = (Exit width cm / 60) x 50 people/module Allowed = min(Occupancy, Exit flow) Covers margin = Allowed - Planned covers
These are indicative values and do not replace a fire safety design; always check the local regulations and fire code that apply to your venue.
Occupancy from area is the usable floor area in square metres multiplied by an occupant density factor (people per square metre). For example, a density of 0.4 means roughly one person per 2.5 square metres. The calculator then compares this with the capacity of the exits, because the lower of the two is what actually governs how many people the space can safely hold. These are indicative values and do not replace a professional fire safety design.
Egress is usually expressed in modules: total exit width in centimetres divided by 60 cm per module, with each module rated for a number of people. In this calculator each module is treated as 50 people, so flow capacity = (exit width in cm / 60) x 50. The allowed occupancy is the smaller of the area-based figure and the exit-based figure. Module width and people-per-module are indicative reference values; the figures that legally apply depend on your local fire code.
The density factor reflects how people use the space: a packed standing bar holds far more people per square metre than a seated fine-dining room. You pick a factor appropriate to your layout and the calculator multiplies it by the floor area. Because this strongly affects the result, choose it conservatively and verify it against the occupancy classifications in your local regulations.
The covers margin is the allowed occupancy minus the number of covers you plan to seat. A negative margin means you are planning more covers than the space can safely hold under these indicative assumptions, which should trigger an ALERT and a review. A positive margin means you have headroom. Either way, the planned-covers check is a planning aid, not an authorisation.
No. This tool gives indicative occupancy figures for early planning and capacity sense-checks only. Legal occupant load, egress calculations and fire safety approvals must come from a qualified professional and comply with the local regulations and fire code in force. Always check those before fixing your capacity.