HandbookLive Loads (Imposed Loads)

Live Loads (Imposed Loads)

IS 875 (Part 2) : 1987 · Table 1 — Imposed Floor Loads for Different Occupancies
Live loads (imposed loads) for design of floors and roofs as per IS 875 Part 2. These are minimum values — actual loads may be higher for specific uses. For seismic weight calculation, use 25–50% of live load per IS 1893.
IS 875-2
37 items shown
Residential
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Dwelling houses — all rooms21.8kN/m²Minimum for residential
Dwelling — kitchens21.8kN/m²
Dwelling — toilets & bathrooms21.8kN/m²
Dwelling — balconies31.8kN/m²Higher for cantilever
Dwelling — corridors, stairs34.5kN/m²
Office & Business
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Office — general2.52.7kN/m²
Office — with storage / filing44.5kN/m²Heavy files/records
Office — computer rooms3.54.5kN/m²Server loads
Banking halls32.7kN/m²
Educational & Institutional
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Classrooms32.7kN/m²
Corridors, stairs (schools)44.5kN/m²Crowd loading
Libraries — reading rooms34.5kN/m²
Libraries — stack rooms64.5kN/m²Heavy book storage
Hospitals — wards21.8kN/m²
Hospitals — operating theatres34.5kN/m²Equipment
Assembly & Retail
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Assembly halls — fixed seats44.5kN/m²Theatres, cinemas
Assembly halls — no fixed seats54.5kN/m²Community halls
Shops — retail44.5kN/m²
Restaurants / dining halls32.7kN/m²
Hotels — guest rooms21.8kN/m²Same as residential
Hotels — public rooms44.5kN/m²Lobby, banquet
Industrial & Storage
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Factories — light work3.54.5kN/m²
Factories — heavy work54.5kN/m²
Warehouses — light storage54.5kN/m²
Warehouses — heavy storage109kN/m²
Garages — light vehicles2.59kN/m²Cars
Garages — heavy vehicles59kN/m²Trucks
Parking — multi-storey2.54.5kN/m²
Roofs & Terraces
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Roof — access for maintenance only0.750.9kN/m²Not accessible
Roof — accessible (not occupancy)1.51.8kN/m²
Roof — used as garden / terrace31.8kN/m²With soil + plants
Roof — used as assembly54.5kN/m²Function terrace
Stairs, Corridors & Lobbies
OccupancyUDLConc.UnitNote
Residential stairs34.5kN/m²
Office / institutional stairs44.5kN/m²
Public stairs (assembly)54.5kN/m²
Corridors — residential34.5kN/m²
Corridors — public buildings44.5kN/m²
Notes
UDL = uniformly distributed load; Conc = concentrated load (applied over 300×300mm area)
Use whichever produces the worst effect (UDL or concentrated)
For seismic weight: include 25% LL if LL ≤ 3 kN/m², 50% if LL > 3 kN/m² (IS 1893)
Reduction for large areas: reduce LL by 5% for each 50 m² above 50 m² (max 25% reduction)
Reduction for number of floors: 10% for 1 floor above, 20% for 2, 30% for 3, max 40%
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