Section 1004.4 of the International Fire Code states that every room or space that is an assembly occupancy should have the occupancy load posted near the main exit (the State amended the code to say rooms or spaces greater than 50). A restaurant by itself is an assembly occupancy. Therefore should the occupancy load should be posted at the main exit of any restaurant if greater than 50?My City has the occupant load on the CO and only requires it to be posted in public view. I believe they are in violation of the IFC. Any thoughts?
When you say "they are in violation of the IFC", who is "they" you're referring to? The local government? Or the restaurant?
Being that the driving section to post the Occupant Load is either USBC Section 1004.3 for new construction or Section 3411.15 for existing buildings, both of which are the purview of the building official, seemingly by default it is the building official that approves the "legible permanent design". It's my opinion that a CO does not qualify as a legible permanent design because the CO type (font) is typically to small to read, is on ordinanary or thin paper, and, even if in a frame hung on the wall, is not consipicuous. I believe an engraved plastic sign with 1-inch lettering simply noting the OL would be one example of permanent signage and is typical of many seen around the Commonwealth and the rest of the country. To extend this out further than your question, I contend it's the owner's or their agent's burden to produce an acceptable sign.
As an aside, in the '03 editions, USBC Section 1004.3 for new construction, Section 3411.15 for existing buildings, and in SFPC Section 1004.3, they did not have a OL threshold of 50 or more for posting a sign.
In the '06 editions, USBC Section 1004.3 for new construction and USBC Section 3411.15 for existing buildings, they have the 50 or more OL threshold. The '06 SFPC Section 1004.3 does not.
I agree with Dean. First, who are "they" in your question? Second, in my opinion, the typical CO would not suffice as a clearly legible permanent design and could not qualify as a posted occupant load sign.
What I have done in the past is develop a standard template to be used for all signage required by the IBC (ie. stairway identification signs, area of refuge signs, design load signs, and occupant load signs.) That way there is no questioning if a design submitted by a client is approved. Also, it aids in creating uniformity in the signs within our jurisdiction.
