Which of the following is a dead load on a roof?

Which of the following is a dead load on a roof?

• A. Structural membranes and other fixed loads
• B. Roofers and other personnel
• C. Snow
• D. Wind

Answer: (A)

Dead loads are the permanent, non-removable weights that stay with the structure. On a roof, this includes the weight of the roofing materials themselves, structural membranes, insulation, and other fixed components—the things that are part of the building and don’t change with time. Snow and wind are not dead loads; they are environmental or live loads that vary with weather and occupancy. Roofers and other personnel on the roof are temporary loads (live loads) that only exist while people are present. So the fixed, permanent weight of the roof system—structural membranes and other fixed loads—is the dead load.

Dead loads are the permanent, non-removable weights that stay with the structure. On a roof, this includes the weight of the roofing materials themselves, structural membranes, insulation, and other fixed components—the things that are part of the building and don’t change with time. Snow and wind are not dead loads; they are environmental or live loads that vary with weather and occupancy. Roofers and other personnel on the roof are temporary loads (live loads) that only exist while people are present. So the fixed, permanent weight of the roof system—structural membranes and other fixed loads—is the dead load.