IS 875:1987 Part 2 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures - imposed loads. This code specifies the imposed (live) loads to be assumed in the structural design of buildings. Engineers use it to determine the minimum uniform distributed loads and concentrated loads for floors, roofs, stairs, and balconies based on the occupancy classification of the structure.
Specifies imposed (live) loads for different occupancies and uses in buildings and structures.
Live load (UDL + concentrated) by occupancy plus reductions and parapet horizontal forces.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Residential — bedrooms, living rooms (UDL) | 2.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Residential — kitchens, toilets (UDL) | 2.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Residential — corridors / stairs / balconies | 3.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Office — work areas (UDL) | 2.5 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Office — file / storage areas | 5.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Office — corridors, lobbies, stairs | 4.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Hospital wards / private rooms | 2.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Hospital — operation theatre / X-ray | 3.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| School — class rooms | 3.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Assembly — fixed seating | 4.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Assembly — movable seats / standing | 5.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Restaurant / dining halls | 3.0–4.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Retail — shops & shopping floors | 4.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Industrial — light | 5.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Industrial — medium / heavy | 7.5 / 10.0 kN/m² | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Storage / warehouse — typical | 5.0–10.0 kN/m² (per stack height) | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Garage — passenger vehicles (light) | 4.0 kN/m² (or 9 kN concentrated) | Cl. 3.1 (Table 1) |
| Roof — accessible flat (terrace) | 1.5 kN/m² (+ 1.5 kN concentrated) | Cl. 4.1 (Table 2) |
| Roof — inaccessible (sloping) | 0.75 kN/m² (slope <10°), reduced for steeper | Cl. 4.1 (Table 2) |
| Partition allowance — when not located on plan | ≥ 1.0 kN/m² (UDL added to floor LL) | Cl. 3.1.2 |
| Live load reduction — number of floors > 1 | 10 % per floor (max 50 %) | Cl. 3.2.1 |
| Horizontal force on parapets / handrails | 0.75 kN/m (residential) / 3.0 kN/m (assembly) | Cl. 6.1 |
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
IS 875 Part 2 (1987) provides Design Loads (Other than Earthquake) for Buildings and Structures — Imposed Loads — the IS code specifying live loads (imposed loads) for structural design of buildings. It is the companion to IS 875 Part 1 (Dead Loads) + Part 3 (Wind Loads) + Part 4 (Snow Loads) + Part 5 (Special Loads).
Use IS 875 Part 2 when you are: - Designing building structural elements (floor slabs, beams, columns) - Specifying occupancy loads for any building type - Doing structural design per IS 456:2000 + IS 800:2007 - Specifying load combinations with other live load codes - Doing earthquake design with IS 1893 (using IS 875 imposed loads)
What IS 875 Part 2 covers: - Imposed loads by occupancy type - Concentrated loads - Parapet + balcony loads - Vehicle loads on parking floors - Storage loads - Industrial / special purpose loads - Reduction factors for live load with multiple floors
Imposed loads (per IS 875 Part 2):
Residential: - Bedroom + private rooms: 2.0 kN/m² - Living room: 2.0 kN/m² - Kitchen: 3.0 kN/m² - Bathroom: 2.0 kN/m² - Staircase: 3.0 kN/m² - Balcony: 3.0 kN/m²
Office: - Office floor (general): 3.0 kN/m² - Conference room: 4.0 kN/m² - Library (reading): 4.0 kN/m² - Library (stack): 6.0-10.0 kN/m² (depending on density)
Educational: - Classroom: 4.0 kN/m² - Laboratory (light): 4.0 kN/m² - Laboratory (heavy): 5.0 kN/m² - Lecture hall: 4.0 kN/m²
Healthcare: - Wards: 3.0 kN/m² - Operation theatres: 4.0 kN/m² - Pharmacies: 3.0 kN/m²
Public + Commercial: - Banquet halls: 5.0 kN/m² - Restaurants: 4.0 kN/m² - Retail (light): 4.0 kN/m² - Retail (heavy): 5.0-7.5 kN/m² - Shopping malls: 4.0-5.0 kN/m² - Theatres: 4.0 kN/m²
Industrial: - Light: 5.0 kN/m² - Heavy: 10.0-25.0 kN/m² (per equipment) - Workshop: 5.0 kN/m² - Warehouse (light): 5.0 kN/m² - Warehouse (heavy): 15.0-25.0 kN/m² (per stacking density)
Parking floors: - Light vehicles (cars): 5.0 kN/m² (or vehicle load) - Heavy vehicles (trucks): 10.0 kN/m² (or vehicle load) - Per IS 3:2021 vehicle weight specifications
Roof loads: - Access roof: 1.5-2.0 kN/m² - Maintenance only: 1.0 kN/m² - Public access: 4.0 kN/m²
Concentrated loads: - Floor: 4 kN concentrated on 300 × 300 mm patch - Balcony: 1.5 kN/m run plus point loads - Parapet: 0.4 kN/m horizontal load
Load combinations (per IS 456 + IS 800): - 1.0 (DL) + 1.0 (LL) — service load - 1.5 (DL) + 1.5 (LL) — limit state - DL + LL + WL or EQ — combined load - Reduction factors for multi-storey buildings (per IS 875 Part 2)
Live load reduction (multi-floor): - Single floor: full LL - 2-storey: 100 % top floor + 80 % other - 3-storey: 100 % top + 70-80 % others - 4+ storey: 100 % top + 50-60 % lower floors - Maximum reduction: 50 % of single-floor LL
Special loadings: - Vibrating equipment: static load × dynamic amplification factor - Crane loads: per IS 3177 / IS 807 - Truck loads in parking: per IS 3:2021 - Locker rooms: per actual storage density
Code revisions + updates: - 1987 base version - Multiple supplements + amendments - Modern projects may use higher LL for safety + future flexibility - Building bylaws often specify minimum LL (state-specific)
Modern context: - Higher imposed loads for modern usage (more equipment, more occupants) - Sustainability + flexibility design often uses conservative LL - Smart building features (HVAC, IT) may add to load
Comparison with international codes: - ASCE 7 (US): similar live load values - Eurocode 1 (EU): similar with national modifications - AS/NZS 1170 (AUS/NZ): similar
Reduction factor methodology: - For columns + foundations supporting multiple floors - 25 % reduction at 2 floors; 50 % at 4+ floors - Not applicable for: assembly + storage + roof
Concentrated loads: - Apply to slab + beam design separately from uniform load - 4 kN concentrated representative of typical equipment / heavy person - Larger concentrated loads (per equipment) specified separately
Service + serviceability: - Beam + slab deflection per IS 456 - Span-to-depth ratios per IS 456 + IS 800 - Vibration considerations for sensitive equipment
Specialized loads: - Auditorium: consider dynamic amplification (people moving rhythmically) - Gymnasium: higher LL for activity - Plant room: equipment-specific - Service road on roof: per actual vehicle
1. LL under-specified for occupancy. Wrong category; under-design. Match occupancy. 2. No concentrated load check. Slabs + beams designed for uniform only. Concentrated load check mandatory. 3. Reduction factors not applied. Conservative + costly. Apply per code. 4. Wrong load combination. DL + LL or DL + WL + LL not in correct sequence. Per IS 456 / 800. 5. Industrial load assumed average. Specific equipment higher. Equipment-specific. 6. Roof access load missed. Access roof loaded by maintenance workers. Per IS 875 Part 2. 7. Balcony load lacking. Per IS 875 Part 2: 3.0 kN/m². 8. Parapet wind / horizontal load missed. Per IS 875 Part 2 + Part 3. 9. Vehicle load on parking floor. Per IS 3:2021 vehicle weights. 10. No allowance for future use. Building flexibility; conservative LL helps. 11. State bylaws different. Local bylaws may exceed IS 875. Check + apply higher. 12. No earthquake combination. LL × seismic combination per IS 1893. 13. Dynamic amplification not considered. Vibrating equipment + people; static factor inadequate. 14. Stack / library loads. Higher than office; per usage. 15. Maintenance access not designed. Roof / void access; per IS 875 Part 2. 16. Crane loads under-specified. Per IS 3177 + dynamic. 17. No documentation of assumptions. Future modification difficult. Comprehensive design records.
Building design — IS 875 Part 2 touchpoints:
1. Concept design: identify occupancy + uses; preliminary load assessment.
2. DPR + detailed design: Apply IS 875 Part 2 LL per occupancy + concentrated loads + special loads.
3. Combined loading: with IS 875 Part 1 (DL), Part 3 (WL), IS 1893 (EQ); load combinations per IS 456 / IS 800.
4. Structural design: Slabs, beams, columns, foundations sized per loads.
5. Drawings: Load schedule + structural details.
6. Tender + construction: Specifications include LL category per area.
7. Operations + maintenance: Original LL design maintained; usage changes require structural review.
8. Long-term: 50+ year building service life; LL design adequate for typical usage.
IS 875 Part 2 is the foundational live load reference for India's building structural design — applied on every building project from residential to industrial.
| Parameter | IS Value | International | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) | 24.0 kN/m³ | 24.0 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) | 25.0 kN/m³ | 25.0 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Structural Steel | 78.5 kN/m³ | 78.5 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Common Burnt Clay Brick Masonry | 18.85 kN/m³ | 16.0 - 20.0 kN/m³ (depending on brick density) | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Cement Plaster | 20.4 kN/m³ | 20.0 kN/m³ (for Cement mortar) | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Cast Iron | 72.08 kN/m³ | 72.5 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Water (Fresh) | 9.81 kN/m³ | 10.0 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |
| Glass (Sheet/Plate) | 25.1 kN/m³ | 25.0 kN/m³ | EN 1991-1-1 |