What is considered a dead load?

What is considered a dead load?

• A. The load from furniture and occupants
• B. Live loads
• C. Wind loads
• D. the weight of the building itself and any equipment permanently attached or built in

Answer: (D)

Dead load is the permanent weight that the structure itself carries, staying essentially constant over time. It includes the building’s own components—frames, walls, floors, and roof—and any equipment that is permanently attached or built in, such as fixed HVAC units, plumbing, elevators, and other built-in fixtures. Live loads are the variable weights like people and movable furniture, while wind loads are environmental forces acting on the building. So the option describing the building’s own weight plus permanently attached or built‑in equipment fits the dead load concept.

Dead load is the permanent weight that the structure itself carries, staying essentially constant over time. It includes the building’s own components—frames, walls, floors, and roof—and any equipment that is permanently attached or built in, such as fixed HVAC units, plumbing, elevators, and other built-in fixtures. Live loads are the variable weights like people and movable furniture, while wind loads are environmental forces acting on the building. So the option describing the building’s own weight plus permanently attached or built‑in equipment fits the dead load concept.