*** UPDATED WITH ANSWER : SEE BELOW ****
Today we’re taking a little aptitude test to determine whether, as a group, we have any ability to estimate the correct number of persons who might simultaneously occupy* a large space (according to the fire safety inspector).
Pictured here is a very large hall. It’s in Chicago’s Union Station, if you feel the desire to go check the little frame on the wall to find the answer.
How many people do you think the fire safety inspector believes could safely be in this space at one time?**
* Not in the “Occupy Wall Street” sense of the term.
** The answer will be added to this post over the weekend, so hazard a guess today and check back!
——————–
The weekend has come to a close, so here is the answer, as promised.
It turns out that we are much more concerned about over-crowding than we needed to be! Apparently up to 3887 persons can occupy this space before it becomes dangerous and unlawful.
I am curious if it becomes dangerous well before that, but only becomes illegal at that point?
My guess: 1,180 people — which should leave a bit of room for bags and the like.
I am going to guess 500. Since it is the fire inspector saying how many fit, he is bound to say fewer than could actually fit.
231
1675
800
Having been there myself I’m going with 6.
Wow, turns out that…
Union Station handles more than 300 trains each weekday carrying more than 120,000 arriving and departing passengers.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/traffic/ct-met-getting-around-1212-20111212,0,3458112.column
Thanks to a Chicago reader for flagging that news article up to us!
Even a room for 3,887 seems small when you’re moving 120,000 people a day!
I was close without going over.
Not closest, mind you.