Commercial Building Inspector B2Structural SystemsEasy
A commercial building inspector is reviewing plans for a new three-story office building. The plans indicate that the roof live load will be used for maintenance personnel and equipment only, with no public access. According to the 2021 IBC, what is the minimum uniformly distributed live load required for such a roof?
- A10 psf
- B30 psf
- C40 psf
- D20 psf
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 20 psf
The 2021 IBC Table 1607.1 specifies minimum uniformly distributed live loads. For roofs used for maintenance personnel and equipment only, with no public access, the minimum live load is 20 psf.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 10 psf is typically for flat, pitched, or curved roofs with no public access, not specifically for maintenance personnel and equipment.
- B. 30 psf is typically for roofs with public access or assembly areas.
- C. 40 psf is generally for office areas or light storage, not a standard roof live load for this scenario.
Roof Live Load (Limited Access)
The minimum uniformly distributed live load required by the IBC for roofs with access limited to maintenance personnel and equipment.
- Applies to roofs without public access.
- Accounts for weight of workers and light equipment.
- Specified in IBC Table 1607.1.
Memory trick: Roof's maintenance crew needs a minimum load lift.