What is the maximum span for 2x10 floor joists of #1 spruce pine fir spaced at 16 inches on center supporting a living room and a dead load of 20 psf?

The maximum span for 2x10 floor joists made of #1 spruce pine fir can be determined based on their ability to safely support both live loads (the weight of the occupants and furniture) and dead loads (the weight of the structure itself). In this case, the combined loads are specified at 20 pounds per square foot (psf), which falls within typical ranges for residential flooring.

When considering the maximum span, building codes and engineering guidelines provide tables that outline allowable spans based on joist size, spacing, material properties, and load requirements. For a 2x10 joist made from #1 spruce pine fir, spaced at 16 inches on center and designed to carry a total load of 20 psf, the guidelines indicate that the maximum safe span is approximately 14 feet.

The listed maximum span of 14 feet plus any additional dimension, such as 1 inch (which translates to 14'-1"), may also be acceptable depending on local building codes and engineered designs. This reflects how materials can often be employed with very small additional margins.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects the limits set by the structural engineering standards, which ensure safety and performance in residential construction, aligning accurately with the provided load specifications and jo