Net occupant load factor is defined as which of the following?

• A. The gross occupant load factor minus any tables, columns, or other unusable space
• B. The gross occupant load factor plus unusable space
• C. The gross occupant load factor
• D. The occupant load divided by area

Answer: (A)

Net occupant load factor reflects the usable space actually available for occupants by accounting for areas that cannot be used for occupancy, such as columns, built-ins, or other unusable spaces. It is obtained by subtracting those unusable areas from the gross occupant load factor, giving a more accurate measure of space per person. For example, if the gross OLF is 200 square feet per person and unusable space averages 20 square feet per person, the net OLF would be 180 square feet per person. This aligns net area per occupant with the reality that some floor area can’t be occupied. The other ideas either ignore unusable space or restate a general occupant-load calculation without this adjustment.