2003 International Building Code Question

Does anyone know how to properly calculate occupancy and occupancy calculations as per the 2003 IBC? I am trying to find a way around having to build 2 new restroom facilities in my building. Hopefully I can figure something out. It seems as though there are a bunch of dimwitts at city hall permit department and no one really knows what the hell they are talking about. The building as it is right now meets IBC regarding restrooms. The only problem is that it is 1000sqft office space 3000sqft of warehouse space. Evidentially warehouse space has different requirements for occupancy as restrooms. Since we are converting to recording studio, no one can tell me where we fall and what type of occupancy counts. Supposedly for office space it is 1 person per 100 sq ft. I've been told that the studio is considered office space, thus my occupancy is 40 people. Each bathroom can only service 15 people... Thus, I need 3 bathrooms. It just really irks me because I know I will likely never have more than 15 people in the studio at a time, ever. Does this sound right? Is there any way around it? 2 bathrooms could easily cost $10k, which I'd like to avoid... But the detriment is more towards my design. Any help is appreciated.

I would have to see the plans - but I am pretty certain that it could be computed differently. For example - I would imagine that you are going to have some mechanical equipment and accessory storage rooms - specifically designated as such - those would be calculated at 300 sf gross...... A tech room would be the same calculation. In addition (again depending on the layout of the studio) - I might argue that the calculation should be based on the gross area of the rooms themselves - and should not include either the means of egress corridors or the lounge. There is some redundancy there - the people are either in the studio rooms or in the lounge/means of egress - but they cannot be in both simultaneously. You should also be able to get a reduction inside of the control room due to permanately installed equipment - your desk - rack gear sitting next to it - your pair of 2" 24 track Studer Decks, etc., etc. ALthough I agree with them that this operation is included under the Business Use Group....... I do not agree with them that it is that cut and dry - sometimes you simply have to view the space as utilized - and the code cannot cover all contingencies - which is why the code allows them to make determinations........... Again - it would be easier if I could see the plans. Perhaps you cold have your architect email the basic floor plan to me for review - I am working in Autocad 2008 - ir he could print it as a pdf files if he wanted. Sincerely, Rod

thanks for the info rod! My architect is going to figure out what I exactly need to do, so no need to worry about it.