# Background Information
# Occupancy Rates
Occupancy rates for different building types are built into the tool. These are used for the Energy and Water calculations, and in the Urban Ecology section for the communal spaces and food production credits.
Occupant density for residential building types is derived from ABS data.
The occupancy formula is derived from the floor area. For dwellings less than 38.6 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 1 person. Over 587.5 sqm, occupancy is assumed to be 5 people. In between these values, the following logarithmic formula is used, Occupancy = 1.471271*LN(Area)-4.375381.
Occupant density for non-residential building types is informed by the National Construction Code and AS1668.2 (Mechanical Ventilation of Buildings).
# BESS Occupancy rates for non-residential buildings (sqm per occupant)
| Office | 10 |
|---|---|
| Shop, retail, café | 5 |
| Laboratory or warehouse | 20 |
| Public building | 5 |
| Other non-residential building | 20 |