We get asked all the time. How many pounds per square foot do your stages hold? While this may seem like someone 150lbs would fall through a 150lbs/sqft floor if standing on a single square foot, this simply isn’t true. Let’s dive in…
The lb/ft² (psf) is a very theoretical value for having an overview of the stage floor capacity. i.e., a 4’x8’ extension platform with a 150 psf capacity can support up to 4800 lbs (4’ x 8′ x 150psf = 4,800lbs).
That being said, it does not represent the maximum load that can be applied on a single area. This capacity is referred as the ‘point load capacity’ and takes into account multiple parameters such as
- the span between the supports;
- the stiffness and length of supports;
- all adjacent loads (on the example above, the blue arrows represent a combination of adjacent loads)
Because of the variability of all those parameters, we cannot provide a single maximum point load capacity for every sqft on our stages. When speaking of human loads (we all agree that human weight is commonly over 150 lbs) or any light equipment, so there should be absolutely no issue when it comes to people/equipment on stage. We have had well over 50 people on our stages jumping up and down.
In the case of a custom project, where there are substantial loads, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly evaluate the project feasibility, and identify if special measures must be taken to ensure the floor structural integrity.
