ardelia, SAP lets you define what you want to include in your mass model. If you included a -z distributed load in a particular load case, say EQUIPMENT load case for example, defining the mass source gives you the option to convert a factored load for the EQUIPMENT load case, or LIVE load case into mass. 100% of DEAD load case, 100% of EQUIPMENT load case, and 70% of LIVE case for example, could all be used to define the mass for your model
Remember that typically only DEAD load case has the self weight factor. If you define more than 1 load case to include self weight, you run the risk of double counting it.