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By Chris Brown

one person for every 3.7m2

Fire Services helps businesses determine capacity limits under new measures

Nov 27, 2020 | 11:05 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Fire Services is giving you the method, but you’ll have to do the calculating yourself.

Occupancy limits are now in effect for a host of businesses such as grocery, hardware and clothing stores as well as entertainment and event services such as movie theatres, casinos and indoor fitness classes. See the full list from the provincial website below.

Under the enhanced public health measures, capacity is limited to 25 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.

Many businesses have their occupant load placards displayed but some do not.

“Retail and other similar type businesses often do not have occupant loads posted,” says a release from the City of Medicine Hat. “If it is not posted, the Building Code generally allows for one person for every 3.7m2.”

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The release offers the following example:

If your building is 500m2 total area, divide by 3.7m2 to equal 135 persons.
To calculate 25% occupancy, divide 135 by 4 to equal 33 persons.
In a building that is 500m2, a total of 33 people are allowed in the building, in accordance with the current enhanced public health measures.

500m2 / 3.7m2 = 135 persons
25% reduction = 33 persons

It is up to the owner/operator to ensure that all mandated public health measures can be accommodated, which includes the ability to maintain two metres between people.

If an owner/operator needs assistance with determining the occupant load, they can contact Medicine Hat Fire Services at fireprevention@medicinehat.ca or call 403-529-8282.

Most retail businesses may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.

• Retail, including liquor and cannabis
• Grocery stores
• Pharmacies
• Clothing stores
• Computer and technology stores
• Hardware
• Automotive
• Alberta approved farmers’ markets
• Unlicensed outdoor seasonal markets

Some entertainment and event services may remain open with capacity limited to 25% of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code.

• Movie theatres
• Museums and galleries
• Libraries
• Casinos, offering slots only. Table games must be closed at this time.
• Indoor entertainment centres including amusement parks, water parks, bingo halls and racing centres.
• Indoor fitness, recreation, sports and physical activity centres, including dance and yoga studios, martial arts, gymnastics and private or public swimming pools.
  • Facilities can be open for individual studio time, training or exercise only.
  • There can be no group fitness, group classes, group training, team practices or games.
  • Instructors can use facility to broadcast virtual fitness classes from, but there can be no group class.

All public health guidance and physical distancing requirements must be followed.