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Snow Retention in Building Codes

For all of my friends in locales where it does not snow, you are welcome to take a nap through this article. For those of us who are seriously tired of winter, but choose to endure shovels and plows, please read on.

Now snow retention is a subject well ignored by probably everyone you are discussing a new barndominium, shouse or other type of post frame building with.

Why?

Fear you will go to a different provider if the price is a few dollars more!

Hint: someone has not learned to present benefits and you do not know to ask what you do not know.

I have searched every IBC (International Building Code) chapter for a section I was just certain I had viewed in an earlier Code edition – preventing accumulated snow sliding off roofs, in particular at door openings. I even went so far as to post a query in a Building Code Forum I am a member of. Other forum members confirmed I will be futile in my search. However one of them did come up with a link to a very sad story: https://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/02/27/snow-from-idaho-cabin-roof-buries-3-children-1-dead-2-in-hospital.html

These could very well have been your or my children or grandchildren – or even an adult, in event of a large snow slide.

I will admit to being sensitive to snow killing people, especially loved ones, ever since my cousin Kim’s tragic death, due to lots of falling snow back in 1986 (read more about Kim Momb here: https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13198701502/Avalanche-British-Columbia-Selkirk-Mountains).

Snow sliding down mountains happens and is pretty hard to prevent in back country. Snow sliding off building roofs can be avoided and with it tragic events such as a child’s death.

How can snow sliding off a roof be prevented?

By using a properly designed snow restraint system.

A snow and ice retention system mounting to a steel roof has to resist forces of snow and ice pressure by transmitting those forces from a snow fence or snow guard through roofing and into underlying roof purlins.

There are building codes for building roof system wind-uplift resistance on metal roofs but there are not for describing “shear strength” resistance for fasteners used to secure snow retention systems to steel roof panels.

Failures in mounting systems for snow retention devices can occur if not adequately secured to the building structure itself. Damage can also occur if total snow and ice load bends or breaks the roofing.

It is plausible high snow and ice loading near roof edge, imposed against snow guards, could provide a bending force pulling fasteners out of the roof deck, bending or damaging roof, and sending snow guards and snow and ice to the ground below.

I had a snow retention system failure occur on one of my own roofs, where snow brakes were installed with stitch screws to only every third high rib of roof steel. My particular case had a dropped shed roof on one sidewall. When the upper retention system gave way, it came crashing down upon the lower roof, denting it and subsequently carrying away the lower roof system.

Before any modifications are done to an existing roof, a structure needs to be reviewed to determine if it is designed to support the weight of snow remaining on top, rather than sliding off. Provisions of model Building Codes, allow for reductions in design roof load for snow sliding off, especially in cases of unobstructed slippery roofs (e.g. steel roofing).

If your building is designed with a Cs value of less than 1.0, then it is not a candidate for a snow retention system (you will have to dust off your building’s engineer sealed plans to check).

Snow retention systems can be as simple as steel trim snow breaks I have properly screwed down to roofs of my home and two post frame buildings at Newman Lake, Washington. Without them, our 7/12 slope roofs will allow 18 to 24 inches of snow to accumulate, before sliding off, speeding like an oncoming freight train. When a mass of snow of this volume hits ground, noise is both deafening and frightening and an impact would most certainly not be healthy for anyone hit by it.

Where should snow retention systems be used? In snow country, anywhere it can slide off onto a lower roof, people, closely parked vehicles or adjacent buildings and above sidewall door openings.

For extended reading on snow retention systems, please check out this article on snow brakes: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/02/snow-brakes/

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure, Rebuilding Structures, Pole Barn Homes, Post Frame Home, Barndominium and tagged snow restraint system, reduction in design roof load, snow guards, snow brakes, unobstructed slippery roofs on March 13, 2020 by admin.

Snow Sliding off a Roof

Snow Slides Off Roof – Kills Child

I’ve recently been searching the pages of the IBC (International Building Code) for a section which I was just certain I had viewed in an earlier Code edition – preventing accumulated snow sliding off roofs, in particular at door openings. I even went so far as to post a query in a Building Code Forum I am a member of. The other members confirmed I will be futile in my search however one of them did come up with a link to a very sad story: https://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/02/27/snow-from-idaho-cabin-roof-buries-3-children-1-dead-2-in-hospital.html

These could very well have been your or my children or grandchildren – or even an adult, in the event of a large snow slide.

I will admit to being sensitive to snow killing people, especially loved ones, ever since the tragic death of my cousin Kim, due to lots of falling snow back in 1986 (read more about Kim Momb here: https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13198701502/Avalanche-British-Columbia-Selkirk-Mountains).

Snow sliding down mountains happens and is pretty hard to prevent in the back country. Snow sliding off building roofs can be avoided and with it tragic events such as the death of a child.

How can snow sliding off a roof be prevented?

By use of a properly design snow restraint system.

Before any modifications are done to an existing roof, the structure needs to be reviewed to determine if it is designed to support the weight of snow remaining on top, rather than sliding off. Provisions of the model Building Codes, allow for reductions in the design roof load for snow sliding off, especially in the case of unobstructed slippery roofs (e.g. steel roofing).

If your building is designed with a Cs value of less than 1.0, then it is not a candidate for a snow retention system.

Snow retention systems can be as simple as the steel trim snow breaks which I have screwed down to the roofs of my home and two post frame buildings at Newman Lake, Washington. Without them, the 7/12 slope roofs will allow 18 to 24 inches of snow to accumulate, before sliding off with the speed of an oncoming freight train. When a mass of snow of this volume hits the ground, the noise if both deafening and frightening and the impact would most certainly not be healthy for anyone hit by it.

For more information on snow retention systems, please check out this article on snow brakes: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2012/02/snow-brakes/

This entry was posted in Pole Barn Design, Building Department, Roofing Materials, Steel Roofing & Siding, Pole Building Doors and tagged snow retention systems, snow brakes, Kim Momb, building Cs value on January 13, 2017 by admin.

Roof and Gutters Warming up to Ice and Snow

Warming up to Ice and Snow

Ice and snow build up in pole building rain gutters and along eave lines can cause ice dams. Ice building up along roof and gutters can cause water to back up under roofing, causing serious damage to the building’s interior. In some instances, ice buildup along eaves can put weight on the roof beyond its design capacity, causing catastrophic roof failures.

Can you file an insurance claim?

While damage may be covered under the building’s insurance policy, it is best to get an estimate of any damages, prior to filing a claim. In the event damage is not much more than the policy deductible, it is probably not worth filing a claim which could increase future rates.

Heating systems for roof and gutters protect throughout winter by keeping roof gutters and drainpipes safe from dangerous icicles, frost erosion and heavy loads of snow and ice.

The damaging effects of roof ice and snow can be seen on many older structures. The buildings were built prior to modern Building Codes and were not designed to withstand the extreme weight from snow and ice accumulation. This can lead to water entering the building, and eventually unsafe conditions which could cause the building to become structurally unsound.

Radiant Roof Heating Systems

A radiant roof heating system is a common solution for many snow zone pole buildings. Installing a quality heated roof and gutter deicing system eliminates potential damage from snow and ice buildup.

There are a variety of roof and gutter ice melting solutions. Deicing cable is a common choice for roof heating applications. The ice and snow melting kit consists of heating cable, an electronic thermostat and other installation accessories. The versatile snow melting system can be installed in virtually any type of roofing application for residential as well as commercial properties. Deicing cable can be used on metal, shingle or tile roofs, and can be applied on roof and gutters, drainpipes and valleys.

Snowmelt Automation

Automated roof heating systems feature a main controller which activates the snowmelt system only when moisture is detected and the temperature is below 39° F. This provides an extremely cost-effective solution for large areas of roof snow and ice melting. Outdoor temperature sensors are intended for roof and gutters, while moisture sensors and wire sensors are normally fitted inside gutters where the melted runoff collects. The actual number and placement depends on the size and nature of the particular roof heating installation.

Don’t forget Safety!

Resist the temptation to break icicles off gutters. Icicles can become projectiles which could cause serious damage. Bringing down one may bring down many, which those underneath may not be ready to dodge. If the snow or ice is too deep on the roof, do not climb on a ladder or the roof; instead let a qualified snow contractor conduct the removal.

This entry was posted in Roofing Materials, Pole Barn Planning and tagged snow and ice damage, snow brakes, rain gutters on January 30, 2013 by admin.