Running a licensed premises, whether it be a pub, club, or bar, comes with many responsibilities.
One of the most important ones is ensuring the safety of your customers. This not only means providing a safe space for them to enjoy their time, but also being prepared in case of emergencies, such as a fire.
To ensure that your premise is occupied safely without causing overcrowding, it is a legal requirement to determine and manage your occupancy limits.
This is outlined in both the Licensing Act 2003 and the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in serious consequences, including a license review or enforcement actions from the Fire Authority.
In this article, we will guide you on how to calculate the occupancy limit of your licensed premises, so you can ensure the safety of your customers and remain compliant with the law.
Determining Occupancy Limits
The first step in calculating occupancy limits is to make a quick sketch of your premises’ floor layout.
This will help you visualise and measure the various areas in your establishment. Start with the overall shape and measure the length and width in meters. Then multiply these two numbers to get the overall area.
Next, you will need to measure any areas that are used differently, such as seating areas or the standing space in front of a bar. These areas should be subtracted from the overall floor area.
Corridors, toilets, and storage cupboards can also be disregarded as they are not areas that people will spend a significant amount of time in.
Now that you have determined the main floor space area, it’s time to calculate how many people you can safely fit into this space.
To do this, you will need two figures – the floor area and the occupancy factor.
The occupancy factor refers to the number of people that can occupy one square meter of a specific area.
In an assembly hall or dance floor, the occupancy factor is 0.5, which means you can fit two people per square meter.
In a bar or pub, the occupancy factor increases to 3 people per square meter as people are more tightly packed while waiting to be served.
In seating areas, the occupancy factor decreases to 1 person per square meter.
Once you have calculated the occupancy factor for each area, add them all together to get the total premises occupancy. Make a note of this figure as it will be used later to determine the exit capacity.
Calculating Exit Capacity
The next step is to calculate how many people you can safely get out of your premises in case of a fire. This figure will depend on your exits and the size and number of doors available.
Start by drawing your exits on your floor plan and measuring the clear width of each exit.
The clear width is the space between the door frame that is unobstructed. This includes any obstructions from door handles or stops in the frame. You should also measure any internal doors that lead to an external door as they are part of the escape route.
The rule for calculating exit capacity is to assume the worst-case scenario – that a fire would be right in front of your biggest fire exit. This exit would not be available for escape, so it is discounted when determining exit capacity. If you have more than one exit, when two exits are within 45 degrees of each other, they are counted together as a single exit.
When measuring door widths, if there is a single exit door leading out to a double exit door, the single door width is counted as it is the narrowest point along the exit route.
Every final exit door has a maximum capacity based on its width. If it’s less than 750 millimeters, it’s not suitable for being a fire exit. If it’s between 750 millimeters and 1050 millimeters, it can allow 100 people through. For every 75 millimeters after, it can allow an additional 15 people.
Comparing Occupancy and Exit Capacity
Now that you have both the occupancy based on the floor area and the exit width capacity, you need to compare these figures.
Whichever number is the smallest will be your occupancy limit for the premises.
This is the number that you must include in both your license and fire risk assessment.
Final Thoughts
Ensuring the safety of your customers is of utmost importance when running a licensed premises.
Calculating occupancy limits and exit capacities is a legal requirement that not only ensures the safety of your customers but also helps you remain compliant with the law.
If your licensed premises is complex or falls outside the scope of this guide, it’s best to consult relevant government guidance or seek the advice of a competent fire risk assessor.
Remember, as a licensed premise owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your customers safe, and we are here to help you achieve that.
So follow these guidelines, be prepared for emergencies, and have a safe and successful business!
If you’re unsure about your calculations or want to be confident that your venue meets all legal safety standards, it’s wise to bring in a professional.
A specialist fire risk assessor—like ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections—can provide expert advice tailored to your specific premises layout, usage, and licensing conditions.
We’ll assess your venue, validate your occupancy and exit capacities, and help you stay fully compliant with fire safety legislation.
Don’t risk enforcement action or compromise customer safety—contact ESI: today for a comprehensive fire risk assessment designed specifically for licensed premises.
