A034 Residential occupant load

Occupant load factor in local residential old high-rise buildings

Brief:

The occupant load factor for apartments of a typical old high-rise residential building in Hong Kong was studied with interview survey. Difficulties encountered in the study were discussed and suggestions to further investigations on similar studies on occupant load assessment were made. Statistical summaries of the surveyed occupant are presented. The average occupant load factor is 11 m² person^-1. The result showed that 95% of the surveyed samples have an occupant load factor of 4.5 m² person^-1 or above. The investigation result would be representative of other similar buildings in the region and therefore this study would be significant in providing information to assess whether the currently specified occupant load factor in the local code of practice is appropriate, given the actual occupant loads measured.

Further information:

Wong LT, 2004. Occupant load factor in local residential old high-rise buildings, International Journal on Engineering Performance-Based Fire Codes 6(4) 197-201.