Massachusetts Unrestricted Construction Supervisor License Practice Test

Which of the following uses requires the largest live load in pounds per square foot (psf)?

1. Hotel rooms

2. Residential bedrooms

3. Fire escapes

4. Bowling alleys

The correct answer is: Fire escapes

The scenario describes various uses of spaces, each with distinct live load requirements set by building codes and standards. Fire escapes are designed to accommodate a specific number of people in an emergency situation, and as such, they have to support a substantial live load to ensure safety and evacuate all individuals quickly. The load requirements are generally higher for fire escapes than for typical residential areas or commercial spaces, as the fire escape must not only support the weight of people but also consider potential loads that might occur during an emergency evacuation. In contrast, hotel rooms, residential bedrooms, and bowling alleys have live load requirements that are determined based on the expected occupancy and use of the space. Hotel rooms and residential bedrooms typically have lower live load requirements than fire escapes, as they are not designed to accommodate large numbers of people simultaneously. Bowling alleys involve moving heavier equipment (like bowling balls and heavy individuals), but the overall required live load per square foot is not as high as that for a fire escape. Therefore, the use case that necessitates the largest live load is indeed fire escapes, due to their critical role in safety during emergencies and the need to support many occupants at once.