If you’ve been watching the news related to the easing of restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re likely familiar with the term “capacity”, since as restrictions ease, businesses are allowed to have 20% capacity, 50% capacity, 80% capacity, etc. Have you ever wondered how business owners come up with what that capacity is? Typically, they would calculate this percentage based on a building’s legal occupancy load limit, as it relates to social distancing requirements.
In normal circumstances, occupancy load is determined by several factors, like the use of the building, how big it is, how many exits there are, and so forth. These factors turn into a number that determines how many people can occupy the building without causing a safety hazard due to fire or other things. In some cases, a business owner may be required to visibly post the occupancy load certificate so that everyone who comes and goes can be aware of the limit.
