I am trying to understand if/how the max occupancy rules can be a fire hazard. I am hosting a lunch for my friends (8 including me) in my one room apt. No one is staying overnight. Only 5-6 hours max. Where do I lookup if I am breaching any rules or what are my responsibilities?
I tried to search the state laws but they are only for overnight guests. But I want to make sure I don’t do anything I am not supposed to even if it’s only a few hours .
In: 2
Those laws typically apply to public spaces, not private residences. When applicable, they are clearly posted. I wouldn’t worry abou tneeding to abide by some fire hazard rules for hosting a few people in your own home.
Take it this is your first party… Look it isnt going to go well if you start it with a safety briefing showing fire exits etc….
Welcome in your guests give them a drink and enjoy the night!
There will be information in the lobby, in the stairwells, or at the top of stairs, about fire escapes.
If that sign doesn’t mention max occupancy, you’re probably good.
There might be information about it in your tenancy agreement.
It’s unlikely 8 is an issue.
For a private party you don’t have to worry.
The limits are for businesses so that you can generally trust that a business isn’t going to sell 200 tickets to an event that can really only safely fit 100 people at a time.
Max occupancy is for public spaces like office buildings, churches and stadiums.
It’s so that in the event of an emergency there are enough exits for all people to leave safely and quickly.
Residential is different as it’s private.
Now you might have some rules about it if you are in an apartment building. The lobby should have that information, usually all those notices that no one reads.
Building code is also regional so it depends on where you live. A more urban area will most likely have more rules about this.
But also plain common sense factors in, if you have a small 1 bedroom apartment, having a party with 20 or 30 people is just asking for dumb stuff to happen. Don’t overcrowd your space.
A good rule of thumb. Don’t have more people than you have places for them all to sit. That’s just a good social event rule to always follow when indoors.
Source: Previous building inspector.
It has to do with the time it takes to get everyone out of the building in the event of a fire. You can put as many people as will fit in your 1 bedroom apartment and if there is a fire you can all get out pretty quickly.
People still need to get out of large spaces like a restaurants, dance clubs, churches and concert venues quickly in the event of a fire.
The occupancy limits for these places are typically limited by the number of fire exit doors. If you have 1,000 people in a concert hall you have to have several fire exits to ensure everyone can get out quickly.
How are these limits determined? It’s funny, I was at an In and Out w my son today and he asked me what the max occupancy meant, and then why it was 77.
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