Building Codes and their Effect on Seating Capacity

Theater Style Seats combined with Chairs
February 5, 2015
March 2, 2015
Theater Style Seats combined with Chairs
February 5, 2015
March 2, 2015
Show all

Building Codes and their Effect on Seating Capacity

Building Codes and their Effect on Seating Capacity:
Building codes will affect the number of people you will be able to seat in your facility. Here are four concepts to consider with regard to building codes and fire regulations and their impact on seating capacity: Space per person, the distance between pews (or other seating), seating costs per person, and balconies.

1) Space per Person: Before you begin the design of a new facility, or the renovation of an existing one, determine the amount of seating space per person you want to provide. Building code requires your architect to design the building based on 18 inches per person.  The seating capacity at 18″ per person determines such things as restroom requirements, parking spaces, heating and air conditioning systems etc. However, have you ever considered how cramped it would be for several adults to sit together while each only occupies 18 inches?  Coach class seats on major airlines are 19 inches wide, and we all feel crowded when the plane is full.  If your congregation is like most, on average a person (including purses, sweaters, notebooks, Bibles, items for small children, etc.) will occupy somewhere between 20 and 26 inches.
2) Seating costs per Person: You need to decide early on in your facility planning process how much seating space per person you want to allocate because it will dramatically impact the design and size of your facility, which in the end would also dramatically affect your total cost.
3) The distance between pews (or other seating): The next decision that you must consider is the amount of space you want between the back of the pew (or other seating) and the front of the seat right behind that pew.  Building code requires a minimum of 12 inches (and in some areas more). However, you may want to allow more room between pews (or other seating) to make it easier for people to move in and  out of the pews.  If so, this will impact the design and size of your facility.
4) Balconies: If your facility is going to have a balcony, make sure you know what the building code is in your area.  Some parts of the country will require a certain back height on the balcony seating for safety reasons.  Known as “highback” pews, these pews are quite a bit more expensive than standard height pews.  Also, you will want to determine the amount of spacing you want between the pews in the balcony.  If you know these two things early enough, the risers that the pews (other seating) sit on can be designed by your architect to accommodate your desires.  Unfortunately, many projects get designed and built with insufficient riser heights and depths, making it very difficult for the pew manufacturer to provide a product that you will find comfortable and at a price you will consider reasonable.

As you can see, there are many things to consider with regard to pews before your building is even designed.  And once your building has been designed, we offer CAD (computer aided design services free of charge to you. Our goal is to assist you in achieving the maximum level of capacity and comfort. Once again, we believe that educating and serving our customers is a sound business principle, so feel free to as us for assistance in this area.

Note: The building code dimensions noted here are guidelines only. Always consult your local building/fire department before making decisions.

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