Toilet-countertop live load

[JoeBaseplate]

High school toilet countertop 2’x15’. I am trying to figure out the live load to design for and I am thinking of using 5 psf and 2 point loads of 250# (if a couple of idiots decide to sit on the countertop). Can’t find anything in the code. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[slickdeals]

Don't forget impact loading . Who knows what can happen inside a high school toilet countertop.

 

[SLTA]

Out of curiosity, why are you designing a countertop? These aren't structural and are usually just attached by whatever means the arch selects, or with what comes with the counter.

If you do have to design it, I think you loads and some impact loading (no kidding) would be fine.

 

[JoeBaseplate]

slta,I am not designing the countertop but the edge channels that support the coutnertop as per architect's request.

Idea of impact loading seems like a good one, will do that. Thanks guys.

 

[boo1]

Consider what if it fails. I would use 40 PSF plus point loads.

 

[msquared48]

So the counter is suspended from the wall with no cabinet below?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[JoeBaseplate]

Mike, exactly, no cabinets.

 

[msquared48]

I agree with boo1 - be conservative here.

Oh, and install remotely operated video cameras in the countertop so the destructive culprits can be posted on U-Tube.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[rb1957]

i thought there were rules against putting cameras in washrooms ?

ok, if the countertop isn't supported by cabinets, does it have to be free standing ? column supports to the floor ? angled back to the wall ??

idiots sitting on it ... that's about the least stupid thing they'll think up ... c'mon, these are teenagers we're talking about ... remember ?? ...

now seeding the countertop with broken glass would discourage a lot of the more stupid ideas ...

 

[JoeBaseplate]

40 psf seems too high. I am using 10 psf live, assuming sinks to be full with water, and accounting for (2) 250# bodies with 1.5 impact factor.

Layout: cmu walls on 3 sides. C4s all around. I am putting in two posts to frame the unsupported edge channel. On the wall sides, the C4s are to be anchored into wall, so I have one free edge.

 

[ishvaaag]

I managed to know an affable architect working for the statal school system service; he was not the utmost technically, but ensured to prove himself the toilets' strength by shaking them full force -as much as he could impart- to assess if they would stand the youngster's forces.

 

[woodman88]

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association at

http://www.kcma.org

is the leading organization for companies who manufacture kitchen, bath or other residential cabinets. They states

"All shelves and bottoms are loaded at 15 pounds per square foot, and loading is maintained for seven days to ensure that there is no excessive deflection and no visible sign of joint separation or failure of any part of the cabinets or the mounting system." and "Mounted wall cabinets are gradually loaded to 500 pounds without any visible sign of failure in the cabinet or the mounting system."

You should also check out HUD's "HUD Minimum Property Standards - Housing 4910.1" Paragraph 611-1.1.

You should also consider the fact that these are for residential homes and you will need to be more conservative in a public place.

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.