Design load for industrial walkways

[IFRs]

We are making steel walkways - steel grating supported by steel channels. Nothing out of the ordinary, just personnel accessing valves and getting over piping. Is there a required design load for these structures?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

At least 25 psf minimum. Some people use 60 or even 100 psf depending on anticipated loads.

 

[IFRs]

Thanks, MIke - I'm looking for a reference to document the loading used for our design - is the 25 psf OSHA, ASCE, IBC, etc?

 

[IFRs]

ASCE 7-05 says 40 psf / 300 pound concentrated for "Catwalks for maintenance access" and 60 psf for "Walkways and Elevated platforms (other than exit ways). Now all I have to do is determine if these platforms are catwalks or walkways.

 

[IFRs]

Now this is interesting - further into ASCE 7-05 in table C4-1 Catwalks are listed for 25 psf live load. My previous post referenced Table 4-1

 

[MiketheEngineer]

25 psf comes from the OSHA standard on "light weight" loads for scaffolding. I generally interpret that to mean just a couple of guys walking around. Be sure to check for a concentrated load of 250 lbs per guy - again another OSHA assumption. A 250 lb boilermaker would be considered a lightweight. Those guys soemtimes go 350 plus!! Once had a 450 lb technician wanting to get on my already built scaffold to inspect an airplane. I said NO WAY!!

I like 50 - 60 psf - usually doesn't really affect your design or cost that much and you can sleep nights.

 

[IFRs]

I think I'll use 60 psf per ASCE 7 for walkways and elevated platforms. Thanks for you help and advice. This is a good board to bounce ideas off of.