When determining the means of egress, the food court occupant load must be:

The correct approach to determining the means of egress in relation to the food court involves adding the occupant load of the food court to the total occupant load of the building. This is crucial because the total occupant load influences the required capacity of exits and pathways to ensure safety in emergency situations. When assessing egress requirements, it is vital to account for everyone who might be present, including those in the food court, because they contribute to the overall demand for safe and efficient evacuation routes during an emergency.

By adding the food court's occupant load, inspectors ensure compliance with building codes and safety regulations, mitigating potential hazards that could arise if the calculations fail to account for every occupant. This full consideration allows for accurate assessments of exit widths, numbers of exits, and other critical factors relating to occupant safety.