Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
(OP)
IBC 2012 states "Balconies and Decks - Same as occupancy served". e.g. 40 psf for an apartment balcony
ASCE 7-10 states "1.5 times the live load for the occupancy served. Not required to exceed 100 psf" e.g. 60 psf for an apartment balcony
Has anyone come across this before? Which one should govern? Conservatively, I could use the heavier load but this seems excessive. I am surprised that there is a conflict.
ASCE 7-10 states "1.5 times the live load for the occupancy served. Not required to exceed 100 psf" e.g. 60 psf for an apartment balcony
Has anyone come across this before? Which one should govern? Conservatively, I could use the heavier load but this seems excessive. I am surprised that there is a conflict.






RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
I don't mind beefing up a balcony design, but I am surprised at the error between the two.
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
"Balconies and decks are recognized as often
having distinctly different loading patterns than most
interior rooms. They are often subjected to concentrated
line loads from people congregating along the
edge of the structure (e.g., for viewing vantage
points). This loading condition is acknowledged in
Table 4-1 as an increase of the live load for the area
served, up to the point of satisfying the loading
requirement for most assembly occupancies."
Anyone happen to know of the IBC Commentary mentions balcony loading at all?
Brian C Potter, PE
http://simplesupports.wordpress.com
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
I was shocked to hear af few years ago that the code was changed to 40 psf for balconies. Now I know why some use that lower value.
Perhaps someone should bring this up to the IBC / ASCE7 committees...
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
"Chapter 16 of the 2012 IBC does not reference the ASCE 7 -10 live load table for determination of minimum live loads. Therefore, IBC Table 1607.1 always governs for live loads."
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
It's the install.
And from what I've seen, engineering of such is usually never applied, let alone deficient. It simply was never done.
--Brian.
RE: Balcony Loads - IBC 2012 vs. ASCE 7-10
I assume that ALL sealed balconies are adequately vented too - every joist space front and rear. They just have to be.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering