Hi Do any of you have guidance on how to set a maximum limit on the numbers allowed in a training room? I am being asked to set a limit on each of our 20 odd training rooms. Thanks

Ignoring the facilities issues I don't like training more than 10 at a time .....12 at a push depending on the subject and audience. Equally I don't like small numbers either as you need to get them to participate.

It really does depend on the course you are delivering. Some of our training sessions can have up to 40 attendees which involve mostly 'chalk 'n' talk' with a few small group activities and an online test after the session. We also have training sessions where a maximum of 6 are accepted (Ladder Inspector course) which involves a practical session with ladders as well as the 'chalk 'n' talk' section first. The most I have ever had on a course is 63 with a paper Q&A sheet at the end.

The only at all relevant calculation method I know of is the one set out in the ACoP to the Workplace regs, based on cubic metres per person (it's a bit more complicated than that - see the ACoP for details).

Granted it isn't a workplace for them but how many children are in a classroom these days? It depends upon a number of factors as has already been mentioned.

The minimum space referred to in paragraph 97 of the ACoP does not apply to: ■■ retail sales kiosks, attendants’ shelters, machine control cabs or similar small structures, where space is necessarily limited; ■■ rooms being used for lectures, meetings and similar purposes.

Thanks to everyone for their responses

Personally, I'd do a couple of additional things that don't seem to have been covered in the previous responses..... 1. You may be lucky that you have an archived copy of the old building fire certificate. This will be very prescriptive (albeit in relation to outofdate legislation) but will be a very good starting point. 2. Use the existing Building Regs requirements for both travel distances and escape route minimum widths. For example, if the escape route is only 1m wide then you're probably only going to have max approx. 50 people exiting from any side room into that escape route. 3. Contact your local fire officer. They are always exceptionally helpful and will be able to provide definitive advice and guidance. Just my thoughts :-) Pete

Hi GB I have been doing the same in a college just recently for engineering workshops BS4163:2014 provides guidance which may help or may not it is the only definitive guidance that I have found and it states BS 4163:2014 Health and safety for design and technology in educational and similar establishments – Code of practice states that: ‘In England and Wales, there should be a maximum of 20 learners with one competent, qualified teacher in any one work area.’ ‘In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there should be a maximum of 20 pupils for all classes in practical subjects.’

This really does depend on a number of factors, not least the subject/topic. My portfolio of services includes training and for accredited courses, the Awarding Body specified limits, of 12 in some cases, but 16 in others. For First Aid, they will allow more than 12 if two instructors share the workload. But I had a major falling out with a company I used to do some freelance/subcontracting work for, one of the reasons being the inappropriate facilities they would often send me to. Just because their client said they had a room for 12 trainees, they would send me there, and I'd find I could only sensibly take 6 people due to the limited floor space for FAW exercises. So you might have a room that is fine for X number when seated for the duration of the course, but reducing it to 8 or 6 if physical activities are required.