Public rooms and corridors in residential

[Iasonasx]

I wonder what would constitute a "public room" or an area serving a public room in a residence. I see this in ASCE-7 pg. 18 and I suspect this may be for multi-story residences but probably not for single family dwelling. I was considering 40 lbf/ft^2 should suffice. Any suggestions please?

 

[EngineeringEric]

40psf for living rooms, kitchens, halls, and areas where more than two people will be in the room, sleeping rooms only will be 30psf.

The reason i do bathrooms at 40 is for the additional dead loads from grouting, cabinets, and just the fact they seem heavier than a bedroom.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I see this in ASCE-7 pg. 18 and I suspect this may be for multi-story residences but probably not for single family dwelling.

The way I read ASCE 7-10, you are interpreting the load requirements correctly. Note that there is a grouping of load requirements for "One- and two-family dwellings", and a different grouping for "All other residential occupancies".

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[mike20793]

In multistory residential, a public room is one open to the entire public, not just the people living in the residence. The apartment or dorms and corridors in most multistory residential projects are private rooms and corridors serving them.

 

[BSVBD]

Iasonasx,

You are not exactly clear as to whether you are designing for a "public room" or for rooms within a single family residence.

Just in case, if you are designing for a public room, use the 100 PSF.

Also, even in a one-family residence consider balconies (which sometimes are not considered):
60 PSF: Balconies of 1 & 2-family residences not to exceed 100 S.F.
100 PSF: Balconies over 100 S.F.

 

[Iasonasx]

Thanks Everyone!