Doctor's Office Floor Loads

[00Z]

I am involved in a residential to commercial conversion where a two story house is being converted to a doctors office. The second story floor will not calc out with 50psf Live Load which is typical for an office. These rooms will be used for the doctor to meet a patient. The floor will work with 40 psf Live Load. I noticed in reviewing IBC Table 1607.1 that hospital patient rooms have a Live Load of 40 psf.

I have two questions. Has anyone used less than 50psf live load (no partition load) for a doctors office? This is a small private practice. Can anyone point me towards any documentation I can use to justify a reduced Live Load to the local building official?

 

[Ron]

Patient rooms on the second floor? Have you checked ADA?

 

[00Z]

There are patient rooms on the 1st floor too. Chapter 34-Existing Building Structures allows a little leniency on meeting the ADA requirements, although that doesn't prevent someone from getting sued over accessibility after getting a Certificate of Occupancy.