Section 1607 — LIVE LOADS

1607.1 General. ¶

Buildings, structures, and parts thereof shall be designed to resist the effects of live loads.

TABLE 1607.1—MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS, L, AND MINIMUM CONCENTRATED LIVE LOADS
0

OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	UNIFORM (psf)	CONCENTRATE D (pounds)	ALSO SEE SECTION
1.	Apartments (see residential)	Apartments (see residential)	—	—	—
2.	Access floor systems	Office use	50	2,000	—
2.	Access floor systems	Computer use	100	2,000	—
3.	Armories and drill rooms	Armories and drill rooms	150a	—	—
4.	Assembly areas	Fixed seats (fastened to floor)	60a	—	—
4.	Assembly areas	Lobbies	100a
4.	Assembly areas	Movable seats	100a
4.	Assembly areas	Stage floors	150a
4.	Assembly areas	Platforms (assembly)	100a
4.	Assembly areas	Bleachers, folding and telescopic seat- ing and grandstands	100a (See Section 1607.18)
4.	Assembly areas	Stadiums and arenas with fixed seats (fastened to the floor)	60a (See Section 1607.18)
4.	Assembly areas	Other assembly areas	100a
5.	Balconies and decks	Balconies and decks	1.5 times the live load for the area served, not required to exceed 100	—	—
6.	Catwalks for maintenance and service access	Catwalks for maintenance and service access	40	300	—
7.	Cornices	Cornices	60	—	—
8.	Corridors	First floor	100	—	—
8.	Corridors	Other floors	Same as occupancy served except as indicated	Same as occupancy served except as indicated	Same as occupancy served except as indicated
9.	Dining rooms and restaurants	Dining rooms and restaurants	100a	—	—
10.	Dwellings (see residential)	Dwellings (see residential)	—	—	—
11.	Elevator machine room and control room grating (on area of 2 inches by 2 inches)	Elevator machine room and control room grating (on area of 2 inches by 2 inches)	—	300	—
12.	Finish light floor plate construction (on area of 1 inch by 1 inch)	Finish light floor plate construction (on area of 1 inch by 1 inch)	—	200	—
13.	Fire escapes	Fire escapes	100	—	—
13.		On single-family dwellings only	40	40	40
14.	Fixed ladders	Fixed ladders	See Section 1607.10	See Section 1607.10	—
15.	Garages and vehicle floors	Passenger vehicle garages	40c	See Section 1607.7	—
15.	Garages and vehicle floors	Trucks and buses	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8
15.	Garages and vehicle floors	Fire trucks and emergency vehicles	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8
15.	Garages and vehicle floors	Forklifts and movable equipment	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8	See Section 1607.8
16.	Handrails, guards and grab bars	Handrails, guards and grab bars	See Section 1607.9	See Section 1607.9	—
17.	Helipads	Helicopter takeoff weight 3,000 pounds or less	40a	See Section 1607.6.1	Section 1607.6
17.	Helipads	Helicopter takeoff weight more than 3,000 pounds	60a	See Section 1607.6.1	Section 1607.6
18.	Hospitals	Corridors above first floor	80	1,000	—
18.	Hospitals	Operating rooms, laboratories	60	1,000	1,000
18.	Hospitals	Patient rooms	40	1,000	1,000
19.	Hotels (see residential)	Hotels (see residential)	—	—	—
20.	Libraries	Corridors above first floor	80	1,000	—
20.	Libraries	Reading rooms	60	1,000	—
20.	Libraries	Stack rooms	150b	1,000	Section 1607.17

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

TABLE 1607.1—MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS, L, AND MINIMUM CONCENTRATED LIVE LOADS—continued
0

OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	UNIFORM (psf)	CONCENTRATE D (pounds)	ALSO SEE SECTION
21.	Manufacturing	Heavy	250b	3,000	—
21.	Manufacturing	Light	125b	2,000	2,000
22.	Marquees, except one- and two-family dwellings	Marquees, except one- and two-family dwellings	75	—	—
23.	Office buildings	Corridors above first floor	80	2,000	—
23.	Office buildings	File and computer rooms shall be designed for heavier loads based on anticipated occupancy	—	—	—
23.	Office buildings	Lobbies and first-floor corridors	100	2,000	2,000
23.	Office buildings	Offices	50	2,000	2,000
24.	Penal institutions	Cell blocks	40	—	—
24.	Penal institutions	Corridors	100	100	100
25.	Public restrooms	Public restrooms	Same as live load for area served but not required to exceed 60 psf	—	—
26.	Recreational uses	Bowling alleys, poolrooms and similar uses	75a	—	—
26.	Recreational uses	Dance halls and ballrooms	100a	100a	100a
26.	Recreational uses	Gymnasiums	100a	100a	100a
26.	Recreational uses	Theater projection, control, and follow spot rooms	50	50	50
26.	Recreational uses	Ice skating rinks	250b	250b	250b
26.	Recreational uses	Roller skating rinks	100a	100a	100a
27.	Residential	One- and two-family dwellings:	One- and two-family dwellings:	—	Section 1607.21
27.	Residential	Uninhabitable attics without storage	10	10	10
27.	Residential	Uninhabitable attics with storage	20	20	20
27.	Residential	Habitable attics and sleeping areas	30	30	30
27.	Residential	Canopies, including marquees	20	20	20
27.	Residential	All other areas	40	40	40
27.	Residential	Hotels and multifamily dwellings:	Hotels and multifamily dwellings:	Hotels and multifamily dwellings:	Hotels and multifamily dwellings:
27.	Residential	Private rooms and corridors serving them	40	40	40
27.	Residential	Public rooms	100a	100a	100a
27.	Residential	Corridors serving public rooms	100	100	100
28.	Roofs	Ordinary flat, pitched, and curved roofs (that are not occupiable)	20	—	Section 1607.14
28.	Roofs	Roof areas used for assembly purposes	100a	—	—
28.	Roofs	Roof areas used for occupancies other than assembly	Same as occupancy served	—	—
28.	Roofs	Vegetative and landscaped roofs:	Vegetative and landscaped roofs:	Vegetative and landscaped roofs:	Vegetative and landscaped roofs:
28.	Roofs	Roof areas not intended for occupancy	20	—	—
28.	Roofs	Roof areas used for assembly purposes	100a	—	—
28.	Roofs	Roof areas used for occupancies other than assembly	Same as occupancy served	—	—
28.	Roofs	Awnings and canopies:	Awnings and canopies:	Awnings and canopies:	Awnings and canopies:
28.	Roofs	Fabric construction supported by a skeleton structure	5a	—	—
28.	Roofs	All other construction, except one- and two-family dwellings	20	—	—

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

TABLE 1607.1—MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS, L, AND MINIMUM CONCENTRATED LIVE LOADS—continued
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OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	OCCUPANCY OR USE	UNIFORM (psf)	CONCENTRATE D (pounds)	ALSO SEE SECTION
28.	Roofs—continued	Primary roof members exposed to a work floor:	Primary roof members exposed to a work floor:	Primary roof members exposed to a work floor:	Section 1607.15
28.	Roofs—continued	Single panel point of lower chord of roof trusses or any point along primary structural members supporting roofs over manufacturing, storage warehouses, and repair garages	—	2,000	2,000
28.	Roofs—continued	All other primary roof members	—	300	300
28.	Roofs—continued	All roof surfaces subject to mainte- nance workers	—	300	300
29.	Schools	Classrooms	40	1,000	—
29.	Schools	Corridors above first floor	80	1,000	1,000
29.	Schools	First-floor corridors	100	1,000	1,000
30.	Scuttles, skylight ribs and accessible ceilings	Scuttles, skylight ribs and accessible ceilings	—	200	—
31.	Sidewalks, vehicular driveways and yards, subject to trucking	Sidewalks, vehicular driveways and yards, subject to trucking	250b	8,000	Section 1607.19
32.	Stairs and exits	One- and two-family dwellings	40	300	Section 1607.20
32.	Stairs and exits	All other	100	300	Section 1607.20
33.	Storage areas above ceilings	Storage areas above ceilings	20	—	—
34.	Storage warehouses (shall be designed for heavier loads if required for antici- pated storage)	Heavy	250b	—	—
34.	Storage warehouses (shall be designed for heavier loads if required for antici- pated storage)	Light	125b	125b	125b
35.	Stores	Retail:	Retail:		—
35.	Stores	First floor	100	1,000	1,000
35.	Stores	Upper floors	75	1,000	1,000
35.	Stores	Wholesale, all floors	125b	1,000	1,000
36.	Vehicle barriers	Vehicle barriers	See Section 1607.11	See Section 1607.11	—
37.	Walkways and elevated platforms (other than exitways)	Walkways and elevated platforms (other than exitways)	60	—	—
38.	Yards and terraces, pedestrian	Yards and terraces, pedestrian	100a	—	—
39.	*[OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5]*Storage racks and wall-hung cabinets.	*[OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5]*Storage racks and wall-hung cabinets.	Total loadsd	—	—

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 square inch = 645.16 mm2, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kN/m2, 1 pound = 0.004448 kN.
a. Live load reduction is not permitted.
b. Live load reduction is only permitted in accordance with Section 1607.13.1.2 or Item 1 of Section 1607.13.2.
c. Live load reduction is only permitted in accordance with Section 1607.13.1.3 or Item 2 of Section 1607.13.2.
d._ [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5]_The minimum vertical design live load shall be as follows:
Paper media:
12-inch-deep (305 mm) shelf 33 pounds per lineal foot (482 N/m)
15-inch-deep (381 mm) shelf 41 pounds per lineal foot (598 N/m), or
33 pounds per cubic foot (5183 N/m3) per total volume of the rack or cabinet, whichever is less.
Film media:
18-inch-deep (457 mm) shelf 100 pounds per lineal foot (1459 N/m), or
50 pounds per cubic foot (7853 N/m3) per total volume of the rack or cabinet, whichever is less.
Other media:
20 pounds per cubic foot (311 N/m3) or 20 pounds per square foot (958 Pa), whichever is less, but not less than actual loads.

1607.2 Loads not specified. ¶

For occupancies or uses not designated in Section 1607, the live load shall be determined in accordance with a method approved by the building official.

1607.3 Uniform live loads. ¶

The live loads used in the design of buildings and other structures shall be the maximum loads expected by the intended use or occupancy but shall not be less than the minimum uniformly distributed live loads given in Table 1607.1. Live loads acting on a sloping surface shall be assumed to act vertically on the horizontal projection of that surface.

1607.3.1 Partial loading of floors. Where uniform floor live loads are involved in the design of structural members arranged so as to create continuity, the minimum applied loads shall be the full dead loads on all spans in combination with the floor live loads on spans selected to produce the greatest load effect at each location under consideration. Uniform floor live loads applied to selected spans are permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section 1607.13.

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

1607.3.2 Partial loading of roofs. Where uniform roof live loads are reduced to less than 20 pounds per square foot (0.96 kN/m [2] ) in accordance with Section 1607.14.1 and are applied to the design of structural members arranged so as to create continuity, the reduced roof live load shall be applied to adjacent spans or to alternate spans, whichever produces the most unfavorable load effect.

1607.4 Concentrated live loads. ¶

Floors, roofs and other similar surfaces shall be designed to support the uniformly distributed live loads prescribed in Section 1607.3 or the concentrated live loads, given in Table 1607.1, whichever produces the greater load effects. Unless otherwise specified, the indicated concentrated load shall be assumed to be uniformly distributed over an area of 2 [1] / 2 feet by 2 [1] / 2 feet (762 mm by 762 mm) and shall be located so as to produce the maximum load effects in the structural members.

1607.5 Partition loads. ¶

In office buildings and in other buildings where partition locations are subject to change, provisions for partition weight shall be made, whether or not partitions are shown on the construction documents. The partition load shall be not less than a live load of 15 pounds per square foot (0.72 kN/m [2] ) and live load reductions in accordance with Section 1607.13 are not permitted to be applied to the partition loads. Exception: A partition live load is not required where the minimum specified live load is 80 pounds per square foot (3.83 kN/m [2] ) or greater.

1607.6 Helipads. ¶

Helipads shall be marked to indicate the maximum takeoff weight. The takeoff weight limitation shall be indicated in units of thousands of pounds and placed in a box that is located in the bottom right corner of the landing area as viewed from the primary approach path. The box shall be not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) in height.

1607.6.1 Concentrated loads. Helipads shall be designed for the following concentrated live loads:

A single concentrated live load, L, of 3,000 pounds (13.35 kN) applied over an area of 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches (114 mm by 114 mm) and located so as to produce the maximum load effects on the structural elements under consideration. The concentrated load is not required to act concurrently with other uniform or concentrated live loads.
Two single concentrated live loads, L, 8 feet (2438 mm) apart applied on the landing pad (representing the helicopter’s two main landing gear, whether skid type or wheeled type), each having a magnitude of 0.75 times the maximum takeoff weight of the helicopter, and located so as to produce the maximum load effects on the structural elements under consideration. The concentrated loads shall be applied over an area of 8 inches by 8 inches (203 mm by 203 mm) and are not required to act concurrently with other uniform or concentrated live loads.

1607.7 Passenger vehicle garages. ¶

Floors in garages and portions of a building used for the storage of motor vehicles shall be designed for the uniformly distributed live loads indicated in Table 1607.1 or the following concentrated load:

For garages restricted to passenger vehicles accommodating not more than nine passengers, 3,000 pounds (13.35 kN) acting on an area of 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches (114 mm by 114 mm).
For mechanical parking structures without slab or deck that are used for storing passenger vehicles only, 2,250 pounds (10 kN) per wheel.

1607.8 Heavy vehicle loads. ¶

Floors and other surfaces that are intended to support vehicle loads greater than a 10,000-pound (4536 kg) gross vehicle weight rating shall comply with Sections 1607.8.1 through 1607.8.5.

1607.8.1 Loads. Where any structure does not restrict access for vehicles that exceed a 10,000-pound (4536 kg) gross vehicle weight rating, those portions of the structure subject to such loads shall be designed using the vehicular live loads, including consideration of impact and fatigue, in accordance with the codes and specifications required by the jurisdiction having authority for the design and construction of the roadways and bridges in the same location of the structure.

1607.8.2 Fire truck and emergency vehicles. Where a structure or portions of a structure are accessed by fire department vehicles and other similar emergency vehicles, those portions of the structure subject to such loads shall be designed for the greater of the following loads:

The actual operational loads, including outrigger reactions and contact areas of the vehicles as stipulated and approved by the building official.
The live loading specified in Section 1607.8.1.

Emergency vehicle loads need not be assumed to act concurrently with other uniform live loads.

1607.8.3 Heavy vehicle garages. Garages designed to accommodate vehicles that exceed a 10,000-pound (4536 kg) gross vehicle weight rating, shall be designed using the live loading specified by Section 1607.8.1. For garages the design for impact and fatigue is not required.

Exception: The vehicular live loads and load placement are allowed to be determined using the actual vehicle weights for the vehicles allowed onto the garage floors, provided that such loads and placement are based on rational engineering principles and are approved by the building official, but shall be not less than 50 psf (2.39 kN/m [2] ). This live load shall not be reduced.

1607.8.4 Forklifts and movable equipment. Where a structure is intended to have forklifts or other movable equipment present, the structure shall be designed for the total vehicle or equipment load and the individual wheel loads for the anticipated vehicles as specified by the owner of the facility. These loads shall be posted in accordance with Section 1607.8.5.

1607.8.4.1 Impact and fatigue. Impact loads and fatigue loading shall be considered in the design of the supporting structure. For the purposes of design, the vehicle and wheel loads shall be increased by 30 percent to account for impact.

1607.8.5 Posting. The maximum weight of vehicles allowed into or on a garage or other structure shall be posted by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent in accordance with Section 106.1.

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

1607.9 Loads on handrails, guards, grab bars , shower seats, dressing room bench and seats. ¶

Handrails and guards shall be designed and constructed for the structural loading conditions set forth in Section 1607.9.1. Grab bars, shower seats and accessible benches shall be designed and constructed for the structural loading conditions set forth in Section 1607.9.2.

1607.9.1 Concentrated load. Handrails and guards shall be designed to resist a concentrated load of 200 pounds (0.89 kN) in accordance with Section 4.5.1 of ASCE 7. Glass handrail assemblies and guards shall comply with Section 2407.

1607.9.1.1 Uniform load. Handrails and guards shall be designed to resist a linear load of 50 pounds per linear foot (plf) (0.73 kN/m) in accordance with Section 4.5.1.1 of ASCE 7. This load need not be assumed to act concurrently with the concentrated load specified in Section 1607.9.1.

Exceptions:

For one- and two-family dwellings, only the single concentrated load required by Section 1607.9.1 shall be applied.
In Group I-3, F, H and S occupancies, for areas that are not accessible to the general public and that have an occupant load less than 50, the minimum load shall be 20 pounds per foot (0.29 kN/m).
For roofs not intended for occupancy, only the single concentrated load required by Section 1607.9.1 shall be applied.

1607.9.1.2 Guard component loads. Balusters, panel fillers and guard infill components, including all rails except the handrail and the top rail, shall be designed to resist a concentrated load of 50 pounds (0.22 kN) in accordance with Section 4.5.1.2 of ASCE 7.

1607.9.2 Grab bars, shower seats and accessible benches. Grab bars, shower seats and accessible benches shall be designed to resist a single concentrated load of 250 pounds (1.11 kN) applied in any direction at any point on the grab bar, shower seat, or seat of the accessible bench so as to produce the maximum load effects. [DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] See Chapter 11A, Section 1127A.4 and Chapter 11B, Sections 11B-609.8, 11B-610.4 and 11B-903.6 for grab bars, shower seats and dressing room bench seats, as applicable.

1607.10 Fixed ladders. ¶

Fixed ladders with rungs shall be designed to resist a single concentrated load of 300 pounds (1.33 kN) in accordance with Section 4.5.4 of ASCE 7. Where rails of fixed ladders extend above a floor or platform at the top of the ladder, each side rail extension shall be designed to resist a single concentrated load of 100 pounds (0.445 kN) in accordance with Section 4.5.4 of ASCE 7. Ship’s ladders shall be designed to resist the stair loads given in Table 1607.1.

1607.11 Vehicle barriers. ¶

Vehicle barriers for passenger vehicles shall be designed to resist a concentrated load of 6,000 pounds (26.70 kN) in accordance with Section 4.5.3 of ASCE 7. Garages accommodating trucks and buses shall be designed in accordance with an approved method that contains provisions for traffic railings.

1607.12 Impact loads. ¶

The live loads specified in Sections 1607.3 through 1607.11 shall be assumed to include adequate allowance for ordinary impact conditions. Provisions shall be made in the structural design for uses and loads that involve unusual vibration and impact forces.

1607.12.1 Elevators. Members, elements and components subject to dynamic loads from elevators shall be designed for impact loads and deflection limits prescribed by ASME A17.1/CSA B44.

1607.12.2 Machinery. For the purpose of design, the weight of machinery and moving loads shall be increased as follows to allow for impact:

Light machinery, shaft- or motor-driven, 20 percent.
Reciprocating machinery or power-driven units, 50 percent.

Percentages shall be increased where specified by the manufacturer.

1607.12.3 Elements supporting hoists for façade access and building maintenance equipment. In addition to any other applicable live loads, structural elements that support hoists for façade access and building maintenance equipment shall be designed for a live load of 2.5 times the rated load of the hoist or the stall load of the hoist, whichever is larger.

1607.12.4 Fall arrest, lifeline, and rope descent system anchorages. In addition to any other applicable live loads, fall arrest, lifeline, and rope descent system anchorages and structural elements that support these anchorages shall be designed for a live load of not less than 3,100 pounds (13.8 kN) for each attached line, in any direction that the load can be applied.

Note: California Division of Occupational Safety and Health requirements for anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment are contained in Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4, Article 24, Section 1670(b)(10) (Title 8, California Code of Regulations).

Anchorages of horizontal lifelines and the structural elements that support these anchorages shall be designed for the maximum tension that develops in the horizontal lifeline from these live loads.

1607.13 Reduction in uniform live loads. ¶

Except for uniform roof live loads, all other minimum uniformly distributed live loads, L o, in Table 1607.1 are permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section 1607.13.1 or 1607.13.2. Uniform roof live loads are permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section 1607.14.

1607.13.1 Basic uniform live load reduction. Subject to the limitations of Sections 1607.13.1.1 through 1607.13.1.3 and Table 1607.1, members for which a value of K LL A T is 400 square feet (37.16 m [2] ) or more are permitted to be designed for a reduced uniformly distributed live load, L, in accordance with the following equation:

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Equation 16-7

L = Lo 0.25 + ---------------------15 KLLAT

For SI:

L = Lo 0.25 + ---------------------4.57 KLLAT

where:

L = Reduced design live load per square foot (m [2] ) of area supported by the member. L o = Unreduced design live load per square foot (m [2] ) of area supported by the member (see Table 1607.1). K LL = Live load element factor (see Table 1607.13.1). A T = Tributary area, in square feet (m [2] ).

L shall be not less than 0.50 L o for members supporting one floor and L shall be not less than 0.40 L o for members supporting two or more floors.

TABLE 1607.13.1—LIVE LOAD ELEMENT FACTOR, K
LL

ELEMENT	_K_LL
Interior columns	4
Exterior columns without cantilever slabs	4
Edge columns with cantilever slabs	3
Corner columns with cantilever slabs	2
Edge beams without cantilever slabs	2
Interior beams	2
Members not previously identified including:	1
Edge beams with cantilever slabs	Edge beams with cantilever slabs
Cantilever beams	Cantilever beams
One-way slabs	One-way slabs
Two-way slabs	Two-way slabs
Members without provisions for continuous shear transfer normal to their span

1607.13.1.1 One-way slabs. The tributary area, A T, for use in Equation 16-7 for one-way slabs shall not exceed an area defined by the slab span times a width normal to the span of 1.5 times the slab span. 1607.13.1.2 Heavy live loads. Live loads that exceed 100 psf (4.79 kN/m [2] ) shall not be reduced.

Exceptions:

The live loads for members supporting two or more floors are permitted to be reduced by not greater than 20 percent, but the reduced live load shall be not less than L as calculated in Section 1607.13.1.
For uses other than storage, where approved, additional live load reductions shall be permitted where shown by the registered design professional that a rational approach has been used and that such reductions are warranted.

1607.13.1.3 Passenger vehicle garages. The live loads shall not be reduced in passenger vehicle garages.

Exception: The live loads for members supporting two or more floors are permitted to be reduced by not greater than 20 percent, but the reduced live load shall be not less than L as calculated in Section 1607.13.1.

1607.13.2 Alternative uniform live load reduction. As an alternative to Section 1607.13.1 and subject to the limitations of Table 1607.1, uniformly distributed live loads are permitted to be reduced in accordance with the following provisions. Such reductions shall apply to slab systems, beams, girders, columns, piers, walls and foundations.

For live loads not exceeding 100 pounds per square foot (4.79 kN/m [2] ), the design live load for structural members supporting 150 square feet (13.94 m [2] ) or more is permitted to be reduced in accordance with Equation 16-8.

Equation 16-8 R = 0.08( A – 150)

For SI: R = 0.861( A – 13.94)

where:

A = Area of floor supported by the member, square feet (m [2] ).

R = Reduction in percent. Such reduction shall not exceed the smallest of: 1.1. 40 percent for members supporting one floor. 1.2. 60 percent for members supporting two or more floors.

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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

1.3. R as determined by the following equation:

Equation 16-9 R = 23.1(1+ D/L o )

where:

D = Dead load per square foot (m [2] ) of area supported. L o = Unreduced live load per square foot (m [2] ) of area supported. 2. A reduction shall not be permitted where the live load exceeds 100 pounds per square foot (4.79 kN/m [2] ) except that the design live load for members supporting two or more floors is permitted to be reduced by not greater than 20 percent. Exception: For uses other than storage, where approved, additional live load reductions shall be permitted where shown by the registered design professional that a rational approach has been used and that such reductions are warranted.

A reduction shall not be permitted in passenger vehicle parking garages except that the live loads for members supporting two or more floors are permitted to be reduced by not greater than 20 percent.
For one-way slabs, the area, A, for use in Equation 16-8 shall not exceed the product of the slab span and a width normal to the span of 0.5 times the slab span.

1607.14 Reduction in uniform roof live loads. ¶

The minimum uniformly distributed live loads of roofs, marquees and canopies, L o , in

1607.14 Reduction in uniform roof live loads. The minimum uniformly distributed live loads of roofs, marquees and canopies, L o, in Table 1607.1 are permitted to be reduced in accordance with Section 1607.14.1.

1607.14.1 Ordinary roofs, awnings and canopies. Ordinary flat, pitched and curved roofs, and awnings and canopies other than of fabric construction supported by a skeleton structure, are permitted to be designed for a reduced uniformly distributed roof live load, L r, as specified in the following equations or other controlling combinations of loads as specified in Section 1605, whichever produces the greater load effect.

In structures such as greenhouses, where special scaffolding is used as a work surface for workers and materials during maintenance and repair operations, a lower roof load than specified in the following equations shall not be used unless approved by the building official. Such structures shall be designed for a minimum roof live load of 12 psf (0.58 kN/m [2] ).

Equation 16-10 L r = L o R 1 R 2

where: 12 ≤ L r ≤ 20

For SI: L r = L o R 1 R 2

where: 0.58 ≤ L r ≤ 0.96 L o = Unreduced roof live load per square foot (m [2] ) of horizontal projection supported by the member (see Table 1607.1). L r = Reduced roof live load per square foot (m [2] ) of horizontal projection supported by the member.

The reduction factors R 1 and R 2 shall be determined as follows: Equation 16-11 R 1 = 1 for A t ≤ 200 square feet (18.58 m [2] )

Equation 16-12 R 1 = 1.2 - 0.001 A t for 200 square feet < A t < 600 square feet Equation 16-13 R 1 = 0.6 for A t ≥ 600 square feet (55.74 m [2] )

where:

A t = Tributary area (span length multiplied by effective width) in square feet (m [2] ) supported by the member, and

Equation 16-14 R 2 = 1 for F ≤ 4

Equation 16-15 R 2 = 1.2 - 0.05 F for 4 < F < 12

Equation 16-16 R 2 = 0.6 for F ≥ 12

where:

F = For a sloped roof, the number of inches of rise per foot (for SI: F = 0.12 × slope, with slope expressed as a percentage), or for an arch or dome, the rise-to-span ratio multiplied by 32.

1607.14.2 Occupiable roofs. Areas of roofs that are occupiable, such as vegetative roofs, landscaped roofs or for assembly or other similar purposes, and marquees are permitted to have their uniformly distributed live loads reduced in accordance with Section 1607.13.

1607.14.3 Photovoltaic panel systems. Roof structures that provide support for photovoltaic panel systems shall be designed in accordance with Sections 1607.14.3.1 through 1607.14.3.5, as applicable.

1607.14.3.1 Roof live load. Roof structures that support photovoltaic panel systems shall be designed to resist each of the following conditions:

Applicable uniform and concentrated roof loads with the photovoltaic panel system dead loads. Exception: Roof live loads need not be applied to the area covered by photovoltaic panels where the clear space between the panels and the roof surface is 24 inches (610 mm) or less.
Applicable uniform and concentrated roof loads without the photovoltaic panel system present.

1607.14.3.2 Photovoltaic panels or modules. The structure of a roof that supports solar photovoltaic panels or modules shall be designed to accommodate the full solar photovoltaic panels or modules and ballast dead load, including concentrated

16-16 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

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loads from support frames in combination with the loads from Section 1607.14.3.1 and other applicable loads. Where applicable, snow drift loads created by the photovoltaic panels or modules shall be included.

1607.14.3.3 Elevated photovoltaic (PV) support structures with open grid framing. Elevated photovoltaic (PV) support structures with open grid framing and without a roof deck or sheathing shall be designed to support the uniform and concentrated roof live loads specified in Section 1607.14.3.1, except that the uniform roof live load shall be permitted to be reduced to 12 psf (0.57 kN/m [2] ).

1607.14.3.4 Ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panel systems. Ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panel systems are not required to accommodate a roof live load. Other loads and combinations in accordance with Section 1605 shall be accommodated.

1607.14.3.5 Ballasted photovoltaic panel systems. Roof structures that provide support for ballasted photovoltaic panel systems shall be designed, or analyzed, in accordance with Section 1604.4; checked in accordance with Section 1604.3.6 for deflections; and checked in accordance with Section 1611 for ponding. [OSHPD 1R, 2 & 5] Ballasted photovoltaic panel systems shall be considered as an alternative system.

1607.15 Crane loads. ¶

The crane live load shall be the rated capacity of the crane. Design loads for the runway beams, including connections and support brackets, of moving bridge cranes and monorail cranes shall be in accordance with Section 4.9 of ASCE 7.

1607.16 Interior walls and partitions. ¶

Interior walls and partitions that exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height, including their finish materials, shall have adequate strength and stiffness to resist the loads to which they are subjected but not less than a horizontal load of 5 psf (0.240 kN/m [2] ).

1607.16.1 Fabric partitions. Fabric partitions that exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height, including their finish materials, shall have adequate strength and stiffness to resist the following load conditions:

The horizontal distributed load need only be applied to the partition framing. The total area used to determine the distributed load shall be the area of the fabric face between the framing members to which the fabric is attached. The total distributed load shall be uniformly applied to such framing members in proportion to the length of each member.
A concentrated load of 40 pounds (0.176 kN) applied to an 8-inch-diameter (203 mm) area [50.3 square inches (32 452 mm [2] )] of the fabric face at a height of 54 inches (1372 mm) above the floor.

1607.16.2 Fire walls. In order to meet the structural stability requirements of Section 706.2 where the structure on either side of the wall has collapsed, fire walls and their supports shall be designed to withstand a minimum horizontal allowable stress load of 5 psf (0.240 kN/m [2] ).

1607.17 Library stack rooms. ¶

The live loading indicated in Table 1607.1 for library stack rooms applies to stack room floors that support nonmobile, double-faced library book stacks, subject to the following limitations:

The nominal book stack unit height shall not exceed 90 inches (2290 mm).
The nominal shelf depth shall not exceed 12 inches (305 mm) for each face.
Parallel rows of double-faced book stacks shall be separated by aisles not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width.

1607.18 Seating for assembly uses. ¶

Bleachers, folding and telescopic seating and grandstands shall be designed for the loads specified in ICC 300. Stadiums and arenas with fixed seats shall be designed for the horizontal sway loads in Section 1607.18.1.

1607.18.1 Horizontal sway loads. The design of stadiums and arenas with fixed seats shall include horizontal swaying forces applied to each row of seats as follows:

24 pounds per linear foot (0.35 kN/m) of seat applied in a direction parallel to each row of seats.
10 pounds per linear foot (0.15 kN/m) of seat applied in a direction perpendicular to each row of seats.

The parallel and perpendicular horizontal swaying forces are not required to be applied simultaneously.

1607.19 Sidewalks, vehicular driveways, and yards subject to trucking. ¶

The live loading indicated in Table 1607.1 for sidewalks, vehicular driveways, and yards subject to trucking shall comply with the requirements of this section.

1607.19.1 Uniform loads. In addition to the loads indicated in Table 1607.1, other uniform loads in accordance with an approved method that contains provisions for truck loading shall be considered where appropriate. 1607.19.2 Concentrated loads. The concentrated wheel load indicated in Table 1607.1 shall be applied on an area of 4 [1] / 2 inches by 4 [1] / 2 inches (114 mm by 114 mm).

1607.20 Stair treads. ¶

The concentrated load indicated in Table 1607.1 for stair treads shall be applied on an area of 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm by 51 mm). This load need not be assumed to act concurrently with the uniform load.

1607.21 Residential attics. ¶

The live loads indicated in Table 1607.1 for attics in residential occupancies shall comply with the requirements of this section.

1607.21.1 Uninhabitable attics without storage. In residential occupancies, uninhabitable attic areas without storage are those where the maximum clear height between the joists and rafters is less than 42 inches (1067 mm), or where there are not two or more adjacent trusses with web configurations capable of accommodating an assumed rectangle 42 inches (1067 mm) in height by 24 inches (610 mm) in width, or greater, within the plane of the trusses. The live load in Table 1607.1 need not be assumed to act concurrently with any other live load requirement.

1607.21.2 Uninhabitable attics with storage. In residential occupancies, uninhabitable attic areas with storage are those where the maximum clear height between the joist and rafter is 42 inches (1067 mm) or greater, or where there are two or more adjacent

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trusses with web configurations capable of accommodating an assumed rectangle 42 inches (1067 mm) in height by 24 inches (610 mm) in width, or greater, within the plane of the trusses. The live load in Table 1607.1 need only be applied to those portions of the joists or truss bottom chords where both of the following conditions are met:

The attic area is accessed from an opening not less than 20 inches (508 mm) in width by 30 inches (762 mm) in length that is located where the clear height in the attic is not less than 30 inches (762 mm).
The slope of the joists or truss bottom chords is not greater than 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal.

The remaining portions of the joists or truss bottom chords shall be designed for a uniformly distributed concurrent live load of not less than 10 pounds per square foot (0.48 kN/m [2] ).

1607.21.3 Attics served by stairs. Attic spaces served by stairways other than the pull-down type shall be designed to support the minimum live load specified for habitable attics and sleeping rooms.