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The following table provides a guide on the values of minimum superimposed floor loads to be used for the structural design of buildings and other simple structures according to the Nigerian Code of Practice (NCP 1: 1973).
Class | Type of Floor/Building | Load (kN/m2) |
1 | Private dwelling not exceeding two (2)storeys in height | 1.43 |
2 | Private dwelling exceeding two (2) storeys in height; floors other than those in private dwellings, used for residential purposes; hospital wards and rooms. | 1.96 |
3 | Rooms used as offices – floors above entrance floor only. | 2.46 |
4 | Classrooms in schools and colleges. | 2.94 |
5 | Rooms used as offices – entrance floors and floors below; libraries (excluding book storage); banking halls; and similar offices and rooms where public may congregate. | 3.43 |
6 | Retail shops; places of assembly with fixed sitting including churches, chapels, theatres and cinemas. | 3.92 |
7 | Places of assembly without fixed seating, including dance halls, drill halls, and billiard rooms; public dining rooms and restaurants; grandstands; circulation space in machinery halls and power stations not occupied by plant or equipment; light workshop. | 4.90 |
8 | Garages for all types of vehicles exceeding 218 kN/m2 each gross weight. | 3.92 |
9 | Garages for all types of vehicles not exceeding 218 kN/m2 gross weight. | 4.90 |
10 | Light storage space in business buildings; medium workshops; filing and record room in offices. | 7.35 |
11 | Warehouse; general storage space in industrial and commercial building; heavy workshops. | 9.80 |
12 | Pavement (side walk over basements). | 4.90 |
In floors of buildings, allowances are often made for the reduction of superimposed loads. This can be applied to floors of 2-storeys and above except in the following cases:
- Superimposed roof loads.
- Moving loads (except those in garages).
- The weight of machinery and similar concentrated loads.
- Allowances made for partitions.
In situations where reductions would be made for superimposed loads, the table below provides a guide.
Number of Floors | % Reduction of superimposed floor loads for all floors above the member |
1 | 0 |
2 | 10 |
3 | 20 |
4 | 30 |
5 and above | 40 |