# Venue Capacity Check

> Venue capacity calculator: there is no single national formula. Your figure comes from fire safety occupancy, licence conditions or attendance data. Check yours.

## Key facts

- There is no single national formula for venue capacity in England and Wales: Approved Document B sets an occupant number for fire safety, the Licensing Act 2003 allows a capacity condition on a premises licence, and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 asks for a reasonable, evidenced expectation of numbers present.
- Table D1 of Approved Document B volume 2 gives a floor space factor of 0.3 m² per person for standing spectator and bar areas within 2m of a serving point, 0.5 m² for dance floors and general assembly halls, and 1.0 m² for restaurants and meeting rooms.
- Capacity figures used for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 must include everyone working at the premises, whether employees, contractors or volunteers, not just members of the public.

## Key pages

- [Venue capacity calculator: what is my venue's capacity?](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [How to calculate venue capacity: the five accepted methods](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/how-to-calculate-venue-capacity/): Fire safety occupancy, historic attendance data, fixed seating, ticket limits and licence restrictions are all accepted ways to establish a venue capacity figure.
- [Safe occupancy and your fire risk assessment: where the number lives](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/fire-risk-assessment-capacity/): The Fire Safety Order requires a fire risk assessment for non-domestic premises. The safe occupancy figure it produces is the most reusable capacity number you own.
- [Breach of premises licence conditions: capacity limits](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/premises-licence-capacity/): The Licensing Act 2003 sets no national capacity figure. A capacity limit binds you only where it appears as a condition on the premises licence itself.
- [800+ capacity premises: what your capacity figure triggers](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/capacity-thresholds-explained/): Capacity is not just a number on a wall. It decides escape route provision, licence conditions and which tier of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 applies.
- [Office space per person calculator: the two UK tests](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/office-space-per-person-calculator/): Office space per person in the UK: 6.0 m² per person for fire safety under Approved Document B, and at least 11 cubic metres per worker under HSE guidance.
- [Floor space factors used to calculate occupant capacity](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-14.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- Floor space factors used to calculate occupant capacity. Methodology: Reproduced from Table D1 of Approved Document B (fire safety) volume 2, Buildings other than dwellings, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on gov.uk, as at the updated date above. Paragraph D1 gives two methods for the occupant number: the maximum number of people the space is designed to hold, or area divided by a floor space factor. Paragraph D2 says counters and display units are included in the measured area, while stair enclosures, lifts, sanitary accommodation and other fixed parts of the building structure are excluded. The right-hand column is 200 square metres divided by the factor, rounded down. Approved Document B is guidance on meeting the Building Regulations, not a licensing or counter-terrorism standard: the figure it produces is a starting point that then has to be reconciled with your fire risk assessment and any licence conditions.
- Last updated: 2026-08-14. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: Approved Document B (fire safety), volumes 1 and 2: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b
- Source: gov.uk, fire safety in the workplace: your responsibilities: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities
- Source: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents
- Source: Licensing Act 2003, and gov.uk premises licence guidance: https://www.gov.uk/premises-licence
- Source: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/contents
- Source: Home Office supplementary document A: methods for assessing numbers present: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/non-statutory-supplementary-document-a-methods-for-assessing-the-reasonable-expectation-of-individuals-present-at-the-premises-and-events-accessible

## Citation

Cite as: "Floor space factors used to calculate occupant capacity", Venue Capacity Check, https://venuecapacitycheck.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14).

## About

- Venue Capacity Check is an information site. It is not affiliated with any government department, fire and rescue authority, licensing authority or the Security Industry Authority, and nothing here is legal advice. Capacity figures depend on the specific layout, use and exit provision of your premises: confirm yours with a competent fire risk assessor and your licensing authority before relying on it.
- Operated by venuecapacitycheck.co.uk. Contact: enquiries@venuecapacitycheck.co.uk