A building classified as a business occupancy with a total occupant load of 320 is required to have a minimum of _____ lavatories in the women's restroom.

In a building classified as a business occupancy, the number of plumbing fixtures, including lavatories in restrooms, is determined by the occupant load. For a total occupant load of 320, building codes stipulate the minimum number of lavatories based on the ratio of occupants to fixtures.

For women's restrooms, the typical requirement is one lavatory per 40 occupants for the first 200 occupants, and then one additional lavatory for every additional 50 occupants beyond that. In this scenario, with 320 occupants, the calculation would be as follows:

1. The first 200 occupants require 5 lavatories (1 for each group of 40 occupants).

2. The remaining 120 occupants require 2 additional lavatories (1 for each additional 50 occupants).

Adding these together results in a total of 7 lavatories. However, the code will allow for rounding down or adjustments based on specific local regulations, potentially resulting in the requirement of a minimum of 3 lavatories being necessary to meet the practical needs of the occupants as well as compliance with plumbing codes.

Understanding these requirements helps in ensuring that adequate restroom facilities are available for building occupants, which is critical for health, safety, and accessibility standards in commercial settings.