HomeMy WebLinkAboutEvent Venue DocumentCOMMERCIAL STRUCTURES
• Commercial structures with occupancy loads of 50 or more persons trigger
Fire/Life/Safety (FLS) plan review
• Basic elements of FLS:
o Egress – minimum number of egress doors, door width, exiting
illumination, door hardware (push or panic bars, etc)
o Accessibility – wheelchair access, door openers & tension,
restroom access & accessories, counter heights, door/hall widths,
etc
o Fire suppression, sprinkler system, alarm system, etc.
• Requires commercial Certificate of Occupancy
• Occupancy Loads:
o Determined by the submitted floor plan
o Relevant criteria for event hall:
Table & chair set-up – 15 sq ft per person
Chairs only – 7 sq ft per person
Open area (dance floor) – 5 sq ft per person
o Example:
2,000 sq ft building, 1,250 sq ft tables & chairs, 750 sq ft
dance floor, hallways, foyer, etc.
1,250/15 = 83, 750/5=150 Occupancy Load = 233
COMMERCIAL SEPTIC PERMITS
• Not all commercial buildings/uses trigger the need for a DEQ issued
WPCF (Water Pollution Control Facility) permit.
o Less than 2,500 gallons/day – County issued septic permit
o More than 2,500 gallons/day – DEQ issued WPCF permit
• In either permit, the size of the system (tank and drainfield) is based on
the anticipated flow (gallons/day).
• In the case of a proposed event facility, a key consideration will be
whether a food preparation facility is included. Commercial kitchens
generally produce a significantly increased flow and will likely require a
WPCF permit, which would require additional components in the septic
system, including pre-treatment (filtering, grease trap, etc) capability.
o Commercial kitchens also require separate Environmental
Health plan review.
• In the example above, a 2,000 sq ft event facility with no food
preparation would not require a WPCF permit, but the County issued
permit would require a septic system adequate for the anticipated flow.
• No parking is allowed over the drainfield under either permit.