Definitions and Notations
NYC Building Code § BC 1602
in effectSection BC 1602: Definitions and Notations
1602.1 Definitions.
The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:
ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN.
BALCONY, EXTERIOR.
DEAD LOAD.
DECK.
DESIGN STRENGTH.
DIAPHRAGM.
Diaphragm, blocked.
Diaphragm boundary.
Diaphragm chord.
ESSENTIAL FACILITIES.
FABRIC PARTITION.
FACTORED LOAD.
HELIPAD.
ICE-SENSITIVE STRUCTURE.
IMPACT LOAD.
LIMIT STATE.
LIVE LOAD.
LIVE LOAD (ROOF).
LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN (LRFD).
LOAD EFFECTS.
LOAD FACTOR.
LOADS.
NOMINAL LOADS.
OTHER STRUCTURES.
PANEL (PART OF A STRUCTURE).
RESISTANCE FACTOR.
RISK CATEGORY.
STRENGTH, NOMINAL.
STRENGTH, REQUIRED.
STRENGTH DESIGN.
SUSCEPTIBLE BAY.
VEHICLE BARRIER.
NOTATIONS.
D = Dead load.
Di = Weight of ice in accordance with Chapter 10 of ASCE 7.
E = Combined effect of horizontal and vertical earthquake induced forces as defined in Section 12.4.2 of ASCE 7.
F = Load due to fluids with well-defined pressures and maximum heights.
Fa = Flood load in accordance with Chapter 5 of ASCE 7.
H = Load due to lateral earth pressures, ground water pressure or pressure of bulk materials.
L = Roof live load greater than 20 psf (0.96 kN/m2) and floor live load.
Lr = Roof live load of 20 psf (0.96 kN/m2) or less.
R = Rain load.
S = Snow load.
T = Cumulative effects of self-straining load forces and effects.
Vasd = Allowable stress design wind speed, miles per hour (mph) (km/hr) where applicable.
V = Basic design wind speeds, miles per hour (mph) (km/hr) determined from Table 1609.3 of this code.
W = Load due to wind pressure.
Wi = Wind-on-ice in accordance with Chapter 10 of ASCE 7.
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-177089Fetched: 10/24/2026