This Part of BS 6399 has been prepared by Subcommittee B/525/1, Actions (loadings) and basis of design. It supersedes BS 6399-1:1984, which is withdrawn. This edition of BS 6399-1, introduces technical changes, but it does not reflect a full revision of the standard which will be undertaken in due course.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by Amendment No. 1 is indicated in the text by tags. The principal change in this edition is the presentation of the imposed floor loads according to the type of activity/occupancy, rather than occupancy class as introduced in the 1984 edition. The weights of movable partitions which were redefined as imposed loads in the 1984 edition, retain their classification. The reductions in floor load with number of storeys and with area have also been
clarified.
Table 1 and Table 4 have been revised by amendment to limit the guidance to types of buildings and structures appropriate to the scope of this standard. Consequently, loading information relevant to grandstands and designated stadia had been removed and reference is made to the requirements of the
appropriate certifying authorities.
Clause 9, on dynamic loading, has been deleted and an amended version of the clause has been introduced as an informative Annex A. This was necessary in order to limit the guidance given in this standard to the types of buildings and structures covered in the scope of this Part of BS 6399 but at the same time provide references to specialist guidance for the design of structures susceptible to dynamic excitation. The deletion of Clause 9 has led to the removal of the normative Annex A on dynamic loads for dancing and jumping. That annex was intended to provide a rigorous approach to the evaluation of dynamic loading, which could only be applied in conjunction with specialist guidance, which is
undergoing further development.
Clause 10 has been revised to give new recommendations for vertical loading on parapets, barriers and balustrades. The basis of the loadings is historical and they agree, subject to comparatively minor variations, with international consensus of opinion. The data on wind loads are given in BS 6399-2 and data on imposed roof loads are given in BS 6399-3. In this edition of BS 6399-1, numerical values have been given in terms of SI units, details of which are to be found in BS 5555. Those concerned with the conversion and renovation of older buildings designed in terms of imperial units may find it useful to note that 1 N = 0.225 lbf and 1 kN/m2 = 20.89 lbf/ft2.
This Part of BS 6399 gives dead and minimum recommended imposed loads for use in designing buildings. It applies to:
a) new buildings and new structures;
b) alterations and additions to existing buildings and existing structures;
c) existing construction on change of use.
It does not apply to the maintenance of, or the replacement of parts of, existing buildings and structures
