Which square footage per occupant listing is appropriate for unconcentrated floor space (tables and chairs)?

• A. 5 square feet
• B. 100 square feet
• C. 15 square feet
• D. 200 square feet

Answer: (C)

Unconcentrated floor space with tables and chairs is planned with enough room for people to sit, pull out chairs, and move around between seating areas. In occupancy calculations, this situation uses a factor of 15 square feet per person. That means for every 15 square feet of usable space, you can plan for one person. The smaller figures (like 5) correspond to tightly packed, fixed seating, which isn’t the setup described. The larger figures (100, 200) would undercount occupants and aren’t appropriate for typical unconcentrated arrangements. So, 15 square feet per person best reflects the space needs of chairs and tables with some circulation.