Planning a place of assembly
About this app
A community hall in 3D: floor area and seating give the number of visitors, and from that follow applicability, exits, escape route width, wheelchair places and toilets (Baden-Württemberg and model regulation).
With explain mode: an AI tutor walks you through the app, points out what matters in the scene and answers your questions.
How the German assembly ordinance counts visitors
The ordinance does not count chairs. Under § 1(2) of the VStättVO of Baden-Württemberg the number of visitors follows from the floor area of the assembly room: two visitors per square metre for rows and standing places, one for tables and exhibitions. Areas not accessible to visitors do not count. Above 200 visitors in one room the ordinance applies. From the number follow the escape route width of 1.20 metres per 200 people, in Baden-Württemberg in steps of 0.60 metres, as well as wheelchair places (1 percent, at least two) and toilets under § 12.
What the app shows
A community hall in cutaway from above at an angle: stage, rows of seats, aisles kept clear and two exits as portals. The Sizing panel gives the number of visitors, applicability, required and provided width, longest travel path, wheelchair places, toilets and the fire detection system above 1,000 square metres, each with paragraph and traffic light. A staircase shows how the width grows with the number of visitors in steps. A switch calculates the same room under the VStättVO BW 2004 and the model ordinance 2014 and makes the differences visible.
What you can try
Drag the room corners and watch the rows snap into place. Two more rows in the lecture hall lift the number above 200, and the ordinance applies. Slide the exits along the walls, drag their width or close one, and the traffic light responds. Tap a place to see the travel path to the nearest exit with its length. The pills switch between rows, tables, standing places and exhibition. The action Evacuate sends dots to the exits; this is an illustration and no evacuation time.
Frequently asked questions
- From how many visitors does the assembly ordinance apply?
- Under § 1(1) no. 1 it applies to places of assembly with rooms that individually hold more than 200 visitors, or with several rooms that together hold more than 200 and share escape routes. Exactly 200 visitors are still below that.
- How wide must escape routes be in a place of assembly?
- In buildings 1.20 metres per 200 people relying on them, at least 1.20 metres. In Baden-Württemberg steps are only allowed in increments of 0.60 metres, for exits from rooms under 200 square metres 0.90 metres is sufficient. The model ordinance allows intermediate values.
- How long may the way to the nearest exit be?
- From every visitor place at most 30 metres along the travel path. With more than 5 metres of clear height, 5 metres more are allowed per 2.5 metres of additional height, but at most 60 metres (§ 7(1)).
- Are the results of the app binding?
- No. It is a learning model of the VStättVO BW of 28 April 2004 and the model ordinance 2014, with assumptions named in the Info panel. It is not legal advice; the current text of the regulation is authoritative.
Subject: Architecture & scenography
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