Which of the following is a correct per-occupancy casualty estimate as described?

• A. Schools: 20-25 per classroom; Hospitals: 1.5 per bed; Residential: 2 per bedroom; Office Building: 1.5 per parking space
• B. Schools: 20-25 per classroom; Hospitals: 2 per bed; Residential: 1 per bedroom; Office Building: 2 per parking space
• C. Schools: 15-20 per classroom; Hospitals: 1 per bed; Residential: 2 per bedroom; Office Building: 1 per parking space
• D. Schools: 25-30 per classroom; Hospitals: 1 per bed; Residential: 3 per bedroom; Office Building: 1 per parking space

Answer: (A)

Planning for casualties in a collapse uses per-occupancy casualty estimates to predict how many people might be affected per unit of space. These figures help size the response—how many rescuers, medical teams, and resources may be needed in the early hours based on the type of occupancy.

The set with schools at 20–25 per classroom, hospitals at 1.5 per bed, residential at 2 per bedroom, and office buildings at 1.5 per parking space reflects the standard planning figures used in US&R training. They balance realistic crowding and workflow: classrooms typically contain a mix of students and a teacher, hospitals involve patients plus staff per bed, residential units can house multiple people per bedroom, and office spaces correlate to workers and visitors associated with a parking spot.

Other options skew these densities—some inflate or deflate specific occupancies—leading to overestimation or underestimation of casualties and, consequently, misallocation of resources. Using the established figures keeps planning aligned with typical occupancy patterns and the practical needs of initial response.