# Religious and Assembly Design

## Assembly Occupancy Types

### IBC Occupancy Classifications
| Use Group | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| A-1 | Fixed seating, performing arts | Theater, concert hall |
| A-2 | Food/drink consumption | Restaurant, banquet hall |
| A-3 | Worship, recreation, without fixed seats | Churches, gymnasiums |
| A-4 | Indoor spectator sports | Arena, stadium |
| A-5 | Outdoor spectator areas | Bleachers, grandstands |

### Occupant Load Factors
| Use | SF per Person |
|-----|---------------|
| Fixed seats | Count seats |
| Assembly (standing) | 5 SF |
| Assembly (unconcentrated) | 15 SF |
| Assembly (concentrated) | 7 SF |
| Worship (fixed pews) | 18" per seat |
| Dance floors | 5 SF |
| Stages | 15 SF |

---

## Worship Space Design

### Seating Capacity Guidelines
| Congregation Size | Sanctuary Seating | Total Building SF |
|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| Small (< 100) | 75-150 | 5,000-10,000 |
| Medium (100-300) | 150-400 | 10,000-25,000 |
| Large (300-1,000) | 400-1,200 | 25,000-75,000 |
| Mega (1,000+) | 1,500+ | 75,000+ |

### Seating Arrangements
| Type | Description | Capacity |
|------|-------------|----------|
| Traditional pews | Fixed rows, center aisle | Standard |
| Theater seating | Individual fixed seats | Higher density |
| Flexible seating | Interlocking chairs | Variable |
| Worship in round | Central platform | Intimate |
| Auditorium | Sloped floor, fixed | Large capacity |

### Seating Dimensions
| Element | Dimension |
|---------|-----------|
| Pew spacing (back to back) | 34"-38" |
| Theater seat spacing | 32"-36" |
| Minimum row width | 22" per seat |
| Comfortable row width | 24" per seat |
| Center aisle minimum | 48" |
| Side aisle minimum | 36" |
| Cross aisle | 48" minimum |

### Sight Lines
| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Vertical angle to platform | 30° maximum |
| Horizontal angle from platform | 120° coverage |
| Floor slope for fixed seating | 1:12 to 1:8 |
| Balcony overhang | 2× clear height underneath |
| Last row to stage | 75'-100' maximum for speech |

---

## Platform/Stage Design

### Platform Dimensions
| Element | Small | Medium | Large |
|---------|-------|--------|-------|
| Width | 20'-30' | 30'-50' | 50'-80' |
| Depth | 12'-16' | 16'-24' | 24'-40' |
| Height | 24"-36" | 36"-48" | 48"-60" |

### Platform Features
| Element | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Main platform | Preaching, worship leading |
| Choir loft | Choir, ensemble |
| Orchestra pit | Musicians |
| Baptistry | Baptism (if applicable) |
| Altar/Communion table | Sacraments |
| Lectern/Pulpit | Speaking |

### Backstage Requirements
| Space | Purpose | Size |
|-------|---------|------|
| Green room | Preparation | 150-400 SF |
| Changing rooms | Robing | 100-200 SF |
| Storage | Equipment, seasonal | 200-500 SF |
| Sound booth | Audio control | 80-150 SF |
| Light booth | Lighting control | 60-100 SF |

---

## Acoustics for Worship

### Reverberation Time (RT60)
| Use | Target RT60 |
|-----|-------------|
| Contemporary worship | 0.8-1.2 sec |
| Traditional/liturgical | 1.5-2.5 sec |
| Organ music | 2.0-3.0 sec |
| Concert hall | 1.8-2.2 sec |
| Speech only | 0.6-0.8 sec |

### Background Noise
| Space | Maximum NC |
|-------|------------|
| Worship space | NC-25 to NC-30 |
| Chapel | NC-20 to NC-25 |
| Music rehearsal | NC-25 to NC-30 |
| Recording studio | NC-15 to NC-20 |

### Acoustic Treatments
| Element | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Absorptive ceiling | Control RT60 |
| Hard side walls | Sound reflection |
| Carpet (limited) | Mid-high absorption |
| Fabric seats | Absorption consistency |
| Diffusion panels | Even distribution |
| Bass traps | Low frequency control |

### Sound Reinforcement
| Congregation Size | System Type |
|-------------------|-------------|
| < 200 | Distributed ceiling, simple |
| 200-500 | Central cluster, delay |
| 500-1,000 | Line array, distributed |
| 1,000+ | Multiple clusters, extensive delays |

---

## Lighting for Worship

### Lighting Zones
| Zone | Purpose | Level |
|------|---------|-------|
| Platform | Performance | 50-100 FC |
| Congregation | Participation | 10-30 FC |
| Choir | Reading | 30-50 FC |
| Aisles | Egress | 1-5 FC |
| Altar area | Focus | 50-100 FC |

### Lighting Types
| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| House lights | Congregation illumination |
| Stage wash | Even platform coverage |
| Spotlights | Speaker, soloist |
| Accent | Art, architecture |
| Decorative | Chandeliers, sconces |
| Theatrical | Special effects, color |

### Control Requirements
| Feature | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Dimming | Scene setting |
| Presets | Consistent looks |
| Fade control | Smooth transitions |
| Emergency | Code compliance |
| Work lights | Maintenance |

---

## Support Spaces

### Narthex/Lobby
| Sizing | SF per Seat |
|--------|-------------|
| Minimum | 3 SF |
| Standard | 5 SF |
| Generous | 7-10 SF |

### Fellowship Hall
| Function | SF per Person |
|----------|---------------|
| Dining | 15 SF |
| Reception | 10 SF |
| Multipurpose | 12 SF |

### Education Spaces
| Room Type | SF per Person |
|-----------|---------------|
| Classroom | 25-30 SF |
| Nursery | 35 SF |
| Youth room | 20-25 SF |
| Adult study | 15-20 SF |

### Office and Administration
| Space | Size |
|-------|------|
| Pastor office | 150-200 SF |
| Staff office | 100-150 SF |
| Reception | 100-150 SF |
| Conference | 200-300 SF |
| Workroom | 100-150 SF |

### Choir/Music
| Space | Size |
|-------|------|
| Choir rehearsal | 20-25 SF per person |
| Robe storage | 3 LF per robe |
| Music library | 100-200 SF |
| Practice rooms | 80-120 SF each |

---

## Building Program Ratios

### Typical Space Distribution
| Space | % of Total |
|-------|------------|
| Worship | 35-45% |
| Education | 20-30% |
| Fellowship | 10-15% |
| Administration | 5-10% |
| Support/Circulation | 15-25% |

### Parking Requirements
| Standard | Ratio |
|----------|-------|
| IBC minimum | 1 per 3 fixed seats |
| Typical | 1 per 2-2.5 seats |
| Contemporary | 1 per 1.5-2 seats |
| Multiple services | Calculate peak |

---

## Assembly Hall Design

### Multipurpose Halls
| Function | Considerations |
|----------|----------------|
| Banquet | Tables, chairs, service |
| Performance | Stage, seating, lighting |
| Athletics | Court, ceiling height |
| Exhibitions | Booth space, utilities |
| Lectures | Sight lines, acoustics |

### Ceiling Heights
| Use | Minimum Height |
|-----|----------------|
| General assembly | 12'-14' |
| Banquet hall | 14'-18' |
| Gymnasium | 20'-24' |
| Theater | 16'-24' |
| Convention | 18'-30' |

### Floor Loading
| Use | PSF |
|-----|-----|
| Assembly (fixed seats) | 60 |
| Assembly (movable seats) | 100 |
| Stage areas | 150 |
| Dance floors | 100 |
| Catwalks | 40 |

---

## Egress Requirements

### Assembly Egress
| Occupant Load | Exits Required |
|---------------|----------------|
| 1-500 | 2 |
| 501-1,000 | 3 |
| 1,001+ | 4 |

### Exit Capacity
| Component | Capacity |
|-----------|----------|
| Doors (level) | 0.2" per person |
| Doors (stairs) | 0.3" per person |
| Stairs | 0.3" per person |
| Corridors | 0.2" per person |

### Travel Distance
| Sprinklered | Maximum |
|-------------|---------|
| Yes | 250' |
| No | 200' |

### Aisles
| Width | Use |
|-------|-----|
| 36" | Side aisles |
| 42" | Seating for 49 or fewer |
| 44" | Seating for 50 or more |
| 48" | Main/center aisle |

---

## AV and Technology

### Audio Systems
| Element | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Main speakers | 95-105 dB SPL capability |
| Delay speakers | Match main timing |
| Monitor speakers | Stage coverage |
| Assisted listening | Per ADA (4% minimum) |
| Recording | Multi-track capability |

### Video Systems
| Element | Use |
|---------|-----|
| IMAG screens | Close-up projection |
| Lyrics display | Congregation participation |
| Broadcast cameras | Recording, streaming |
| LED walls | High-brightness content |
| Control room | Production center |

### Streaming/Broadcast
| Feature | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Multi-camera | Visual variety |
| Audio mix | Broadcast quality |
| Encoding | Platform compatibility |
| Backup | Reliability |
| Recording | Archive |

---

## Specialty Spaces

### Baptistry
| Type | Description |
|------|-------------|
| Immersion | Full-body pool |
| Font | Smaller, symbolic |
| Portable | Temporary installation |

| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Water depth | 36"-42" |
| Entry steps | Slip-resistant |
| Heating | 80-85°F |
| Filtration | Per code |
| Drainage | To sanitary |

### Chapels
| Size | Capacity | SF |
|------|----------|-----|
| Small | 20-50 | 400-750 |
| Medium | 50-100 | 750-1,500 |
| Large | 100-200 | 1,500-3,000 |

### Memorial/Columbarium
| Element | Consideration |
|---------|---------------|
| Niche size | 10"x10"x12" typical |
| Accessibility | Reach ranges |
| Lighting | Subdued, accent |
| Seating | Meditation areas |

---

## Accessibility

### Worship Seating
| Requirement | Standard |
|-------------|----------|
| Wheelchair spaces | 1% of seats (min 1) |
| Companion seats | Adjacent to wheelchair |
| Sight lines | Over standing persons |
| Dispersal | Throughout seating |

### Platform Access
| Method | When Required |
|--------|---------------|
| Ramp | Primary access |
| Lift | Space constraints |
| Elevator | Multi-level |

### Assistive Systems
| System | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| Hearing loop | Hearing aid compatible |
| FM system | Wireless receivers |
| Infrared | Secure transmission |
| Real-time captioning | Visual text |
| Sign language | Interpreter positioning |

---

## Life Safety

### Fire Protection
| Feature | Requirement |
|---------|-------------|
| Sprinklers | Required > 300 occupants |
| Fire alarm | Voice evacuation if > 1,000 |
| Smoke detection | Per code |
| Standpipes | If > 2 stories |

### Emergency Lighting
| Location | Requirement |
|----------|-------------|
| Aisles | 1 FC minimum |
| Exits | Illuminated signs |
| Steps | Visible treads |
| Duration | 90 minutes |

### Crowd Management
| Feature | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| Clear aisles | Egress paths |
| Exit signage | Wayfinding |
| Barrier-free | No obstructions |
| Staff training | Emergency procedures |

---

## HVAC Considerations

### Load Characteristics
| Condition | Consideration |
|-----------|---------------|
| High occupancy | Significant cooling load |
| Variable attendance | Part-load operation |
| Tall ceilings | Stratification |
| Large volume | Long warm-up |

### Ventilation
| Standard | Rate |
|----------|------|
| ASHRAE 62.1 | 5 CFM/person + 0.06 CFM/SF |
| Minimum | 15 CFM/person |
| Recommended | 20 CFM/person |

### Distribution
| System | Application |
|--------|-------------|
| Underfloor | Theater seating |
| Overhead | Flexible spaces |
| Displacement | Large volumes |
| Radiant | Historic renovation |

### Noise Control
| HVAC Element | Mitigation |
|--------------|------------|
| Air handlers | Remote location |
| Ductwork | Lined, silencers |
| Diffusers | Low velocity |
| Vibration | Isolation mounts |
