Gross occupant load factor is typically used in occupancies with higher concentrations of people.

• A. True, used in high-concentration occupancies.
• B. False, it is used only for low-density occupancies.
• C. It is not a recognized concept.
• D. It is the same as the net factor.

Answer: (A)

Occupant load factors convert floor area into the number of people considered for egress and safety design. There are two ways to measure area: gross floor area, which includes all space inside the exterior walls (corridors, stairs, seating areas, etc.), and net floor area, which counts only space actually usable for occupants. In occupancies with high crowding, the gross approach is used because it reflects the space people share, including aisles and seating, not just the footprint of the seats or desks. Using gross area tends to yield a higher occupant count, which drives greater egress capacity and safety measures, a conservative approach suitable for dense environments. So the statement is true. The concept exists and is specifically applied to high-density spaces; it is not simply the net factor, nor is it limited to low-density occupancies, and it's a recognized method in occupancy calculations.