Load bearing capability of joists
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:16 pm
I am considering under floor heating (UFH) for an existing bedroom on the first floor as well as for 3 new bedrooms to be created when I convert an existing single storey extension by adding a further floor.
It appears that the most cost efficient way of installing the pipework is to cover it with a screed (25mm thick has been suggested by various suppliers of UFH) as heat transfer plates are very expensive to install and require a higher pipe temperature than screed.
However screed will add approximately 25kg per sq. m which needs to be carried by the joists.
I have seen the building regs Table A1 which suggests acceptable loads and span for joists of various dimensions - but this is expressed as follows:
"This table is for a dead load of more than 0.25 but not more than 0.50 and allows for an imposed loading of no more than 1.5 kN/sq.m."
Is there a simple way of converting this approximately to weight in kg/sq m?
(NOTE: I appreciate the best way to get a technically correct indication is to pay an architect, but at the moment I would like to get a rough idea in order to determine if the UFH route is practical to pursue further before spending money possibly needlessly.)
It appears that the most cost efficient way of installing the pipework is to cover it with a screed (25mm thick has been suggested by various suppliers of UFH) as heat transfer plates are very expensive to install and require a higher pipe temperature than screed.
However screed will add approximately 25kg per sq. m which needs to be carried by the joists.
I have seen the building regs Table A1 which suggests acceptable loads and span for joists of various dimensions - but this is expressed as follows:
"This table is for a dead load of more than 0.25 but not more than 0.50 and allows for an imposed loading of no more than 1.5 kN/sq.m."
Is there a simple way of converting this approximately to weight in kg/sq m?
(NOTE: I appreciate the best way to get a technically correct indication is to pay an architect, but at the moment I would like to get a rough idea in order to determine if the UFH route is practical to pursue further before spending money possibly needlessly.)