Span Tables for Domestic Floor Joists (to BS 5268-7.1)

Note: Our floor joist span tables are based on loadings given in the newer, amended version of BS 6399-1. This means that some values are slightly more conservative than span tables from other sources if those do not include the amended guidance. See the notes below the span tables for details.

Imposed load Timber  
1.5 kN/m² C16 timber
1.5 kN/m² C24 timber

Span Tables for Ceiling Joists (to BS 5268-7.3)

Imposed load Timber  
0.25 kN/m² C16 timber
0.25 kN/m² C24 timber

Span Tables for Flat Roof Joists (to BS 5268-7.2)

Imposed loads of 0.75 kN/m² for maintenance and snow load are applicable where there is no permanent access (no fixed ladder or staircase) and most areas where the altitude does not exceed 100 metres (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed loads of 1 kN/m² for maintenance and snow load are applicable where there is no permanent access (no fixed ladder or staircase) and most areas where the altitude exceeds 100 metres but does not exceed 200 metres, but excluding parts of Scotland, Pennines, North East England (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed loads of 1.5 kN/m² are applicable where there is permanent access to the flat roof. For example, a fixed ladder or staircase (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed load Timber  
0.75 kN/m² C16 timber
0.75 kN/m² C24 timber
1 kN/m² C16 timber
1 kN/m² C24 timber
1.5 kN/m² C16 timber
1.5 kN/m² C24 timber

Span Tables for Rafters (to BS 5268-7.5)

Imposed loads of 0.75 kN/m² snow load are applicable to most areas where the altitude does not exceed 100 metres (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed loads of 1 kN/m² snow load are applicable to most areas where the altitude exceeds 100 metres but does not exceed 200 metres, but excluding parts of Scotland, Pennines, North East England (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed load Slope Timber Plasterboard
Underneath?
 
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber No
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber Yes
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber Yes
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber Yes
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber Yes
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber Yes
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber No
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber No
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber No
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber No
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber No
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber No
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber Yes
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber Yes

Span Tables for Purlin Supporting Rafters (to BS 5268-7.6)

Imposed loads of 0.75 kN/m² snow load are applicable to most areas where the altitude does not exceed 100 metres (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed loads of 1 kN/m² snow load are applicable to most areas where the altitude exceeds 100 metres but does not exceed 200 metres, but excluding parts of Scotland, Pennines, North East England (refer to BS 6399-3)

Imposed load Slope Timber  
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber
0.75 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber
0.75 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber
0.75 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C16 timber
1 kN/m² 15° or more but less than 22.5° C24 timber
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C16 timber
1 kN/m² 22.5° or more but less than 30° C24 timber
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C16 timber
1 kN/m² 30° or more but less than 45° C24 timber