TCFP Plans Examiner Practice Test

When calculating the capacity of an exit, which component's capacity is not considered?

1. Exit access

2. Exit discharge

3. Smallest capacity among components

4. Occupant load

The correct answer is: Occupant load

When calculating the capacity of an exit, the occupant load refers to the number of individuals expected to use the exit during an emergency. This value is crucial in determining the capacity of the various components involved in the egress system, including exit access, exit discharge, and the smallest capacity among these components. Exit access and exit discharge are both essential pathways to ensure that occupants can safely exit a building. The exit access is the route an occupant must take to reach the exit door, while the exit discharge is the area immediately outside the exit that leads occupants to a safe location away from the building. The smallest capacity among components is also a key factor since the overall capacity of an exit route cannot exceed the narrowest point in that route. This is often referred to as the bottleneck, and it can significantly impact how quickly occupants can evacuate. In this context, while the occupant load influences the design and capacity requirements of the exit components, it is not directly a component in the calculation of exit capacity itself. Instead, the actual calculations focus on the physical characteristics and dimensions of the exit pathways and doors. Thus, the occupant load is considered a contributing factor in determining the needed exit capacity but is not a component whose capacity is directly calculated in the