What does the term "live load" refer to in building codes?

The term "live load" refers specifically to the weight of temporary and movable items within a building. This includes elements such as furniture, occupants, and equipment that can change over time or be relocated. Building codes define live loads to ensure that structures are designed with the capacity to support these variable weights during their use without compromising safety and stability.

In contrast, fixed elements, such as walls and structural components, are accounted for by the concept of "dead load," which refers to the permanent weight of the building's infrastructure. Wind loads, on the other hand, pertain to the forces exerted by wind against the building, which is a separate consideration in structural design and does not categorize as live load. Design features can introduce varying loads onto a structure, but they are generally not classified under the term "live load." Thus, the correct understanding encompasses the variability and temporary nature of the loads that live load represents.