What Is Floor Load Capacity?
The floor load capacity is the maximum weight a floor is engineered to support over a given area. In the U.S., the floor load capacity is given in pounds per square foot. A floor load capacity may be expressed as 100 PSF.
What are Dead Loads and Live Loads?
Dead loads are static loads that consist of the structure itself such as beams, roofs, walls or fixtures attached to the structure. Live loads are dynamic loads such as foot traffic or the transport of goods across a warehouse on a forklift. A floor is engineered to carry a certain maximum dead load and a specified maximum live load.
Why Is It Important To Know The Floor Load Capacity In A Building or Warehouse?
In commercial real estate, different tenants may need to store or process heavy items or use different types of heavy equipment or storage systems as part of their business. For this reason, office and industrial buildings may indicate the floor load capacities of available space.
If the floor load capacity is not indicated, then the property owner or building engineer should be able to assist in obtaining this information. The number most relevant to the occupant for heavier demands is the maximum live floor load that can be supported.
Floor Loads In Office Buildings
Floor load capacity in commercial office buildings should be at least 75 to 100 pounds per square foot for normal uses. The floor load in smaller office buildings can vary, and should be checked based on the demands of the occupant.
Some office tenants may require a floor to carry the load of heavy items that exceed the demands of the average tenant. A library or law firm may need a floor that can carry the load of books and archives. Other businesses may need floors that can support the weight of computer systems and other heavy equipment.
If floor load capacities are insufficient for a potential occupants needs, it will likely be too costly to reengineer the floor to support. Most landlords most likely will not want to increase the load capacity of the floor of an existing building for most tenants.
Floor Loads In Industrial Buildings
In industrial properties, a floor may need to support heavy manufacturing equipment. Floors in warehouses may need to support mezzanine floors for additional storage or offices.
Floors in distribution centers may need to carry the weight of extensive rack systems that store and process goods and inventory. In these cases, it is important for the tenant to due their due diligence and verify how the floor has been engineered.