NBCC 4.1.5.2 Uses Not Stiplated - Live Load determination

[dylanj]

The information below is based on the National Building Code of Canada 2015:

I have a plan checker rejecting drawings due to inadequate live load.
I have designed a mechanical platform using 3.6 kPa of live load, but he is saying that it should be 4.8 kPa unless it is shown that the live load is less using Clause 4.1.5.2 of that NBCC 2015.

The problem is, the NBCC is very vague on how to approach this calculation.
Does anyone have any recommendations on how to calculated this load?
The platform has 22 personnel stations evenly spaced around a conveyor. No materials, equipment or furnishings.

Clause:

4.1.5.2. Uses Not Stipulated
1) Except as provided in Sentence (2),where the use of an area of floor or roof is
not provided for in Article 4.1.5.3.,thespecified live loads due to the use and occupancy
of the area shall be determined from an analysis of the loads resulting from the weight of
a) the probable assembly of persons,
b) the probable accumulation of equipment and furnishings, and
c) the probable storage of materials.
2) For buildings in the Low Importance Category as described in Table 4.1.2.1.,a factor of 0.8 may be applied to the live load.

I appreciate any input.

 

[dik]

From what I could find,and I've used 75psf (3.6) often

sounds like Pat in the 'peg.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[JLNJ]

I would say that the spaces dik posted are unoccupied. Since you have 22 work stations, yours is an occupied work space. Since it is occupied, the reviewer probably wants to be conservative unless proven otherwise.

If you don't want to design for the 100 psf, get the actual weight of the conveyors and demonstrate that people (maybe 40 psf on the walkable surface) plus the conveyor DL is more like 75 psf than the 100 psf the reviewer is asking for. It shouldn't be too hard to do.

 

[dylanj]

Thanks for the input all.
Based on your input, i beleive the confusion is that the reviewer is assuming that the live load includes the weight of the equipment itself.
I will put together a diagram showing all the dead load of the equipment, live load on equipment, and live load due to occupancy and see if the plan checker finds this sufficient.