Florida Building Code Practice Exam 2025 - Free Building Code Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of the Florida Building Code, the occupancy load for a business area is calculated based on the floor area of the space and the occupancy type. The correct answer indicates that the occupancy load is determined using the gross area method, which takes into account the total space within the perimeter of the building, including walls, circulation areas, and other unoccupied spaces.

Specifically, the Florida Building Code establishes that for business areas, the occupancy load is typically calculated at a rate of 100 square feet per person when using the gross area method. This approach allows for a more conservative estimate of how many people can safely occupy the space, ensuring that safety measures like egress pathways are adequate to handle occupancy levels.

Using the gross area method is important in commercial settings as it aligns with safety practices that take into account not just utilization but also possible congestion during emergency situations. In contrast, net area calculations would exclude certain areas and may result in a higher occupancy load, which could lead to safety risks if an emergency occurred.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects the guidelines set forth by the Florida Building Code regarding safe occupancy practices in business environments.