Building Homes or Extensions/Floor support

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Expert: - 1/12/2010


Question

Gym floor
Hi Dan, I am looking to purchase a home gym that I want to put on the top(third floor). The specs for the gym say that it weighs 671 pounds. The footprint is 55w by 42 deep. The area that I want to put it on is 79w by 80 deep. In the photo there are stairs on the left going down. Roughly in the middle beneath this gym there is a wall underneath running from the base of the gym base towards the cold air return, although the wall underneath runs alot further than this small space that I want to put my gym. I'm not positive which way the joists are running. The gym in the picture is not there anymore but the new one will be positioned in the same manner. There are two stacks of weight at 150 pounds each and the gym is V-shaped.So there is 371 pounds of frame somewhat spread out from the centre. I hope I have explained it well enough.Because I can only send the one photo, the new gym is a Hoist V6 if you need to see how the frame is spread out. Beneath the wall where you can see the washer and dryer, there is another wall in the basement exactly in the same spot.
Thank you from Vancouver
Patrick

Answer
Patrick, it sounds as if you are in good shape to proceed.  The rig is about 41 pounds/SF live load.  If you around 200 pounds, you and the gym unit combined exert 54#/SF .  The floor should be good for 40#/SF.  The fact that you have some other walls under this condition certainly helps.  It would be more comfortable to know which way the joists did run, but the stairwell walls would seem to indicate fairly short joist lengths in this area.  I would run a sheet of 3/4 plywood under the gym to help distribute the load over as many joists as possible.  I feel fairly comfortable with the situation.  Hope this helps.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for the response and the speed of it. I will go ahead and try this, plus incorporating the 3/4 ply. Patrick


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Dan Griffin

Expertise

I can answer almost all questions related to the total construction process. My expertise is in commercial construction, though I can field most any residential question. I have hands on experience in concrete, heavy equipment, masonry, all phases of carpentry, interior finishes, and I am fairly strong in mechanical and electrical.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience as a commercial carpenter and commercial construction superintendent. I have another 20 years experience in facility management for a major school district.

Organizations
My favorite hobby for he past 12 years has been singing bass in a The OkChorale men's barbershop chorus and the Mature Moments quartet.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English and Math. I have completed many continuing education hours in the building trades. I hold a Master Carpenter card from the AGC, Associated General Contractors.

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