Refuge Area Calculator
Refuge Area Calculator (NBC 2016) — quick estimate
Refuge areas drive the core and the upper-floor plate in high-rise design. Get an indicative refuge area from the occupant load — based on the NBC 2016 Part 4 basis — before you lock the floor plate.
Your floor
Occupant-load factors are indicative — NBC assigns the factor by occupancy. Refuge-area provision and the height trigger are set by NBC 2016 Part 4 and the State fire rules.
Get this verified by our engineers — free
We'll confirm the occupant load, refuge requirement and pressurization for your height class to NBC 2016 Part 4 — and own the Fire-NOC liaison.
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Assumptions & formula
Formula: occupant load = floor plate ÷ occupant-load factor. Refuge area = greater of (occupant load × 0.3 m²) and a 15 m² minimum.
- 0.3 m²/person and 15 m² minimum are the commonly-cited NBC 2016 Part 4 basis for refuge area — verify against the current edition for your occupancy.
- Height trigger: refuge areas are generally required at and above 24 m height — confirm the exact trigger and spacing for your building.
- Occupant-load factors shown are indicative; NBC assigns the factor by occupancy classification.
Verify: refuge-area rules, occupant-load factors and the height trigger are occupancy-specific and set by NBC 2016 Part 4 and the State fire rules. Confirm every value with a licensed fire engineer.
Indicative estimate only — not a binding design. Refuge area is governed by NBC 2016 Part 4, the occupancy classification and the local fire authority.
Need an exact BOQ, rate analysis or measurement sheet?
This is a quick engineering estimate. For tendering, billing or audit, our QS & estimation team prepares an item-wise BOQ, rate analysis and a verified measurement sheet to IS / CPWD norms — backed by 15+ years and ISO 9001:2015 quality processes.