ASTM’s Latest News on Creating Standards for Roof Snow Retention Devices

ASTM’s current standard that is being developed is titled “Standard Test Method for Snow Retention Devices attached to Wood Sheathing”. TRA, a current member of the ASTM task group, is helping the development move along by testing its products per the standard and then providing the task group with the results for analysis. Several hundred test results will be provided over the next several months.

In addition to providing valuable information to the task group, TRA is also benefiting from the process. We are seeing great results and increased values on our Apex snow bracket design, that is being used for the tests. What does that mean? If test results continue, the Apex profile bracket will prove to be a better value for the customer with fewer snow guards required.

Due to Covid-19 concerns, the goal remains the same to have a completed standard ready to submit to the main committee by April 2021.

#snowguard, #snowretention, #snowguardstandards, #snowbracket, #architect

JOB OPENING AT TRA SNOW AND SUN!

Production Worker WANTED!

ABOUT US: TRA Snow & Sun is a manufacturer of snow retention products. We have been committed to achieving the highest standards of excellence in every endeavor we pursue and this dedication along with consistent performance, trust, and open communication creates the atmosphere of long term, win-win relationships with our employees, customers and vendors.

TRA Snow & Sun is seeking a qualified individual for a position as a Production Worker within our manufacturing facility located in American Fork, UT. The ideal candidate must show a strong work ethic with personal attention to quality and safety.

JOB PURPOSE: Work on production line and assists with assembling/prepping in the production of the company’s products.
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm (must be available to work overtime when scheduled)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Work as part of a team to aid the company processes to ready the product for shipping • Become familiar with all the products (types for brackets, metals, assemblies) and how they are used and stored; • Think and practice safety daily • Must be able to multi-task and cross train • Accomplishes all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.

QUALIFICATIONS: • High School diploma or equivalent; no experience required. • Able to multi-task and cross train on a variety of machinery. • Must demonstrate the ability to follow directions and work within the Production Department to learn the production process; • Willing and able to perform manual labor required of the position (lifting of a minimum of 75 lbs., stacking, pushing, etc. of heavy objects).

SUBMIT REFERENCES WITH YOUR RESUME, PLEASE TO:
DeAnna Gravius
dgravius@trasnowandsun.com

You may stop by between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm at 1657 South 580 East, American Fork. Be prepared to start work immediately if you qualify. Standard work attire for warehouse employees requires steel-toe shoes and long pants.

Snow Guards The Invisible Code

Snow retention codes do not seem to be a priority in the United States’ roofing industry. But it is very common to see snow and ice sliding off of a metal roof’s slippery surface. Snow and ice crush cars, and damages the roof, gutters, and landscape.  In some cases, snow and ice cascading off roofs have killed people. Codes for snow retention systems are essential to protect people and property from sliding ice and snow.

There are many reasons snow retention systems fail and why we need codes in place.  Some examples are:

PRODUCT FAILURE

snow retention system

This snow retention system was not engineered for some variable of the project that caused it to fail.

The snow guard was not strong enough to hold the load it was carrying.

Anyone can cast a wax snow guard, spread some adhesive on the bottom, and tell the consumer how to install it without any testing of the product or the system. Codes would provide a standard to ensure adequately designed products are utilized.

SHEATHING/ROOFING MATERIAL FAILURE

Roofing material is inadequately secured for the shear created by sliding snow.

If the roofing material is not securely fastened to the deck (specifically on standing seam metal roofs), added weight can cause the standing seam metal roof to slide right off, along with the rest of the roofing material and snow retention system. There is a code requirement in place for wind uplift on standing seam metal roofs, but not for shear strength.

Screws or fasteners pull out.

sliding snow and ice

Sliding snow can be incredibly dangerous.

When installing snow retention on roof sheathing, the thickness and type of the sheathing determines the fastener pull-out strength.  If one is installing a snow retention system on 7/16-in. OSB board, the fastener will fail more quickly than when using ¾-in. plywood.  (See chart below.) When designing a layout for a project, many snow retention manufacturers do not test for these variations.  If the snow retention system was designed for ¾-in. plywood and the project is using 7/16-in. OSB board, the whole system needs to be redesigned.

The fastener does not penetrate the sheathing.

If the fastener/screw is not penetrating the sheathing, the snow guard will not have the holding strength for which it was designed.

 

 

ADHESIVE FAILURE

plastic snow guards

These plastic snow guards fell to the ground because the adhesive did not bond properly

When using an adhesive, if the surface is not free of dust, dirt, oil, or waterproofing; or it is not clean and dry, the adhesive will not adhere properly.
If the temperature is not above 50 degrees F, the sealant will not cure. If a load is placed on the snow guard before the 28-day cure time, the snow guard is more likely to fail. (This is according to the Technical Data Sheet  for SB-190)

SYSTEM FAILURE

The system is not designed for the roof slope and snow load.

When designing a snow retention system, factors change from project to project: the slope, roof type, sheathing type, and roof snow load.  If the snow retention system is not engineered for the variables of the project, it can fail.
Most snow guards are not tested to the fail point of the system.

Many snow guard manufacturers claim theirs are tested, and many of them are, but they are not tested to the fail point of the entire system.  The product may be tested to maintain its shape, but was it tested to stay on the roof?  It’s great if the product stays in one piece, but not if the fastener fails, the adhesive fails, and the sheathing fails.

snow retention code

A snow retention code needs to be put in place to help prevent injury to people and damage to property.

INSTALLATION FAILURE

The product was not installed to manufacturer’s specifications.

The manufacturer’s instructions need to be followed meticulously in order to ensure safety and to keep warranties in effect.  Many manufacturers have specific torque requirements, placement, and maintenance instructions.  If these instructions are not followed, the system can fail and the manufacturer is not at fault.

Obviously, there are valid reasons why the United States should establish codes for snow retention on roofs.  Why hasn’t this happened?  A few reasons could be:

  1. Snowfall occurs in certain areas of the country but not nationwide; therefore, the demand for codes is minimal.
  2. Not many deaths occur due to ice and snow sliding.
  3. Property damage is localized.
  4. The insurance industry is not pushing for this type of code.

There are many other codes in place to protect people and property; so why not for snow retention?  We have codes for wind uplift and ICC test standards for product failures due to wind and moisture penetrations, to name a few.  How many life threatening events need to occur before we do the right thing when it comes to a code for snow retention on roofs?

It’s time to make the invisible snow retention code visible.

References

  1. Surebond Technical Data Sheet SB-190.

About the author

Terry E. Anderson has been in the roofing industry for over 35 years. He is the owner of Anderson Associates Consulting and president of T.R.A.-MAGE, Inc., a manufacturer of roof snow and sun accessories. Anderson was sought after to solve tile roof problems, eventually researching solutions to the frequent structural damage caused by sliding snow and ice. Traveling to Europe, Terry studied how the roofing industry there successfully dealt with snow and ice issues. Using his years of experience and research, he coauthored Concrete and Clay Tile Roof Design Criteria for Cold and Snow Regions. Anderson founded T.R.A. Snow and Sun, now in partnership with MAGE and known as T.R.A.-MAGE, and is recognized as a leader in snow retention systems. He is a member of RCI, WSRCA, and on the technical committee for the Tile Roofing Institute (TRI).

Published: Interface Dec 2011

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Creating Roof Snow Guard Retention Standards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Anderson, owner of TRA Snow and Sun, chairing a meeting in Washington, DC and webinar of the ASTM Committee for roof snow retention standards. Did you know there are currently NO roof snow retention standards to prevent needless deaths from snow and ice falling off a roof like what happened to a mom and her nine year old son on a skiing vacation at Kirkwood Resort in California last March? That MUST change! He is working hard to fix this issue.

Spec Logo

TRA Snow and Sun knows that it is important to specify snow guard roof snow retention. Snow retention should be as worry free and easy as possible for architects, designers and homeowners. So over the last several months we worked hard with our partners to improve the quality and ease of creating a good, safe, and specific roof snow retention specification.

We are proud to announce that our Division 07 7253 Roof Snow Retention specifications have just been enhanced and updated!

Designers and contractors can read and download the snow guard specifications using MasterSpec or with SpecLink. They can also contact TRA Snow and Sun via phone or through our contact page at anytime and we will e-mail the latest snow guard specifications which can be merged into master specification documents.

With our updated snow guard specifications, designers  have the necessary knowledge base to create the perfect snow retention system for their unique project design. We have made it as easy as ever!

TRA Snow & Sun’s snow guard products provide superior benefits to building designers and contractors because they get a safe SYSTEM, not just a good product. We test and engineer our products based on the components of their specific roof system (snow guard, sheathing, attachment, slope, snow-load, etc.). This dramatically decreases the designer or contractor’s liability!

TRA provides a FREE, no obligation, ENGINEERED LAYOUT within 2 business days – 855-542-1861 or through our site.

Choose from zinc-plated steel, copper or stainless steel. All steel can be powdered coat to match the roof color. Roof types include metal panel, asphalt & cedar shingles, corrugated metal, flat granule metal, simulated slate, single ply, slate, tile & wood shake.

Snow Guards With A Fresh Look To Color Hardware

Take a look at these pictures for a fresh new snow guard clamp-on look. Our black Xylan hardware is now available for any colored clamp-on. Would this be your new snow retention look? Tell us by a simple comment on our contact page

Color Trends…

OUR PAINTED XYLAN BLACK HARDWARE!

XYLAN BLACK HARDWARE BENEFITS

    • New specialized color option for any colored clamp-on
    • Full paint application extending to the entire bolt thread
    • They’re resistant to heat and wear
    • Improves the functionality and life span by reducing the amount of wear 
    • Adds protection from corrosion
    • Stand out with a UNIQUE bold look 

WE CAN HELP…

TRA snow guards for snow retention systems are available for all types of roofs and come in a variety of options. The specific snow retention equipment recommended for your roof will depend on the type of roof system installed, the pitch of the roof, snow load, sheathing type, how old the building is and budget.

Our snow guard snow fences, brackets, and clamps are all types of snow retention systems that prevent large sheets of snow or ice from falling off a pitched roof. The systems hold the snow on the roof so it can gradually melt off, preventing damage to people and objects below.

At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and layout each project free of charge using the unique factors specific to your project. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient snow guard retention system. We can design your roof to work with a variety of applications. Just give us your project details & we will design your Snow Guard Retention System to fit your project. For more information call TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980.                                                                                                

                                                                    REQUEST A QUOTE

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New Improved Solar Tile Hook

What Makes Our Solar Tile Hook Unique?

No hassle is bigger for an installer than finding out you have to re-cut tile because it won’t line up. With TRA Snow and Sun Solar Tile Hook, there’s no cutting required, saving you time on your project. Our Solar Tile Hooks are available for low, medium, and high profile tile roofs, and are adjustable up to six inches for easy installation for secure attachment to the structural member of the roof. With our unlimited FREE engineered layout on all your projects, we guarantee our Solar Tile Hooks are made of the highest quality for superior strength.

Our high-quality Solar Tile Hooks divert the mount around the tile instead of going directly through the tile, which decreases install time and doesn’t compromise the strength or coverage of the customer’s tile. The wide base of the hook makes the mount very easy to adjust.

 

How Will The Solar Tile Hook Benefit Me As An Installer?

 

TRA’s cutting-edge Solar Tile Hooks are:

  –  made of corrosion-resistant extruded aluminum

  –  quick and easy to install

  –  require no cutting

Solar Tile Hooks must be fastened to structural members of the roof, such as rafters, purlins or trusses, and in order for tile pans to line up in the correct locations, are adjustable up to six inches to the left or right.

 

Solar Tile Hook

  • Available for flat, mid and high profile
  • Adjustable for secure attachment to the structural member of the roof
  • Corrosion-resistant materials
  • Quick and easy to mount
  • Decrease Labor– No cutting of the tile required

Materials/Finishes

  • Hook – Stainless Steel
  • Base – 6005A-T6 Aluminum
  • Spacer Block – 6005A-T6 Aluminum

Testing

Solar Tile Hook has been tested from the fail point of the system.

A Stronger Foundation

Your solar energy system is only as strong as the mounting structure on which it’s built. We guarantee top-of-the-line products, accessories, and fastening systems. Every component is reliable and built to last. Click here to contact us for an estimate and to begin your Solar Tile Hook plan today!

WE DO CUSTOM SOLAR MOUNTING

At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and give detailed layouts of each project for free of charge using many factors specific to your project. We then provide you with; rail spans, max loads on components, wind parameters, solar panel geometry, force per foot on rail and panels, a schematic of the module field, the wind speed, shipping weight, and project details. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient solar mounting system.

Just give us your project details & we will design your Mounting Solution to fit your project.

The Snow Has Landed!

WOW! Look at all that snow in Atlanta. As you watch the Falcons play football from your comfy home you know you’re safe and protected from dangerous weather.
What about if you attended the game in person?  How safe are you?
Just as the world-class Falcons prepare for the possibility of an incoming storm of opponents, the stadium has also prepared for all possibilities and so should you.
The $1.5 billion Mercedes Benz Stadium is using the best, as a game winning option when it comes to retaining snow on their roof with TRA Snow Retention

Keeping snow and ice from avalanching off a roof requires a system of superior strength.  When strength really does matter to save lives and prevent damage to property, how does a home or business owner know what snow retention product is strong enough?

How does someone decide what product measures up?

How does one decide the best method of installing a safe and reliable roof snow retention system?

If your answer to these questions is, “I can find that out.  I’ll just look it up online under building codes or ask my roofing contractor.” 

Well, good luck.

There are NO codes for roof snow retention!  None.  Nil.  Nada.  (Our owner, Terry Anderson, is serving on a committee right now to finally establish standards.  Watch for updates on this in the future!)  If a contractor starts sitting codes or standards, be wary.  The contractor might have his own standards, and we sure hope they all do, but there are no national or international standards for snow retention.

This makes it very important for owners, architects, engineers, and contractors to take extra care when designing a snow retention system. At TRA Snow & Sun, we seek to offer high-quality snow retention devices ENGINEERED for the unique snow & ice and building conditions relative to each specific project.

Snow retention as a science has emerged as a technological know-how for human safety. The laws of physics have to be used when holding back lots of destructive snow and ice. Annual assets and personal damage from destructive sliding snow and ice is in the millions, however, the price of a human life is incalculable.  If someone dies as a result of no snow retention or faulty snow retention, the liability threat to household owners and business proprietors is astronomical.

By retaining snow on the roof of a building and allowing even snow melt-off, injuries to residents/guests and property below the roof of a building can be avoided, saving money and limiting the possibility of personal loss. By installing snow retention you can:

  • Prevent danger to residents and guests.
  • Prevent costly roof and property damage.
  • Maintain safe access, keeping entrances/walkways free of snow and ice.
  • Promote energy efficiency by retaining snow which is a good insulation blanket.
  • Trust in the best with the highest quality snow retention devices.

How does one avoid the potential pitfalls of a bad snow retention product?

It can get perplexing with several hundreds of different snow guard types and designs to consider from. With a TRA snow retention system, you know you’re safe because we have gone through extensive product testing. Our products are built to last to the fail point of the snow retention system, not just the product. Unlike other plastic type snow guards that turn yellow and fail over time, TRA’s snow retention systems are superior in strength. Our superior snow retention is designed to manage snow migration on any type of roofing is made of stainless steel or brass.

plastic vs TRA

TRA CLAMP-ON SNOW FENCE vs PLASTIC GLUE-ON SNOW GUARDS

In simple terms, a first-rate snow retention product coupled with a reliable and safe FREE engineered spacing layout will help lessen the legal responsibility related to the unexpected slid of snow and ice from roofs. All requesting clients can receive free engineered layouts within 2 working days for each project’s specific requirements. For a free layout, data sheets, specs & quote contact us at 855-542-1861.

The No Cutting, Time Saving Solar Tile Mount

Solar Tile Mount

No hassle is bigger for an installer than finding out you have to re-cut tile because it won’t line up. With TRA Snow and Sun Solar Tile Mount, there’s no cutting required, saving you time on your project. Our Solar Tile Mounts are available for low, medium, and high profile tile roofs, and are adjustable for secure attachment to the structural member of the roof. We guarantee a variety of tile mounts, superior strength, and the option for custom made designs.

What Makes Our Solar Tile Mount Unique?

Our high-quality material extruded aluminum and divert the mount around the tile instead of going directly through the tile, which decreases install time, and doesn’t compromise the strength or coverage of the customer’s tile. The wide base of the hook makes the mount very easy to adjust and fastened to structural members of the roof, such as rafters, purlins or trusses, and in order for tile pans to line up in the correct locations, are adjustable up to six inches to the left or right. The new tile hook allowed for fast and easy installation. It also helps increase the longevity of our micro-inverters.

Tile Mount Hook

Tile Mount Hook3

How Will The Solar Tile Mount Benefit Me As An Installer?

We offer installation materials and resources to make the experience as simple as plan, purchase and install.

Solar Tile Mount are:

  • Available for flat, mid and high profile
  • Adjustable for secure attachment to the structural member of the roof
  • Corrosion-resistant materials
  • Quick and easy to mount
  • Decrease Labor – No cutting of the tile required
  • Requires no special flashing

Materials/Finishes

  • 6005A-T6 Aluminum / 6005A-T5 Aluminum
  • Mill Finish
  • Black Anodized (upon request)

Testing

Solar Tile Mount has been tested from the fail point of the system.

WE DO CUSTOM SOLAR MOUNTING!

Tile Mount Hook4 Sol-Up-St-George-7-Solar-Awning

At TRA Snow and Sun, we engineer and layout each project free of charge using many factors specific to your project. We then provide you with; rail spans, max loads on components, wind parameters, solar panel geometry, force per foot on rail and panels, a schematic of the module field, the wind speed, shipping weight, and project details. TRA Snow and Sun representatives will work with you to design the most efficient solar mounting system.

We can design your awning to work with a variety of application. Just give us your project details & we will design your Mounting Solution to fit your project. For more information call Ben Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980, ben@trasnowadsun.com, or visit: https://trasnowandsun.com/solar-mounting/

The Vandelay Project

Snow Retention Case Study – Providing Engineered Snow Retention Solutions for HALF THE COST!

TRA Snow and Sun solves problems!  It’s not just our motto to provide Engineered Solutions.  We really DO IT!

On an addition to a home in Northwest Montana with a high snow load (100 psf); how do you retain snow on a cedar shake roof with a 12/12 pitch, whilst keeping it economical, aesthetically pleasing, and in line with the existing design?

After reviewing their options, Vandelay Construction was ready to order from a competitor, but was concerned about the high cost of the snow retention system, so they did one last internet search of roof snow retention.  They found a project with TRA Snow and Sun snow retention in Bozeman, Montana, liked our product and designs, and contacted us.

Using the information the contractor provided to us, we increased the thickness of the copper from the standard ¼” to 3/8” and designed a 3 rail snow retention system (D3H Deck Mount Snow Fence) specific to the project – cedar shake, 12/12 slope, copper, attaching to 16” OC rafters.  Copper was used to match the decorative end caps on the heavy timbers in the construction of the building.

Not only did the homeowners get a beautiful, warrantied system, but OUR SYSTEM WAS HALF THE COST OF OUR COMPETITORS.

We love the result.  See for yourself.

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At TRA, we provide Engineered Solutions to all kinds of problems.  Let us help you with your snow retention needs!

Some Tidbits About BYU-Hawaii Roofs and TRA’s Owner

 

The owner of TRA Snow and Sun, Terry Anderson, recently visited Laie, Hawaii and was thrilled to see construction on some buildings at the BYU-Hawaii Campus and his products being installed!  – RIDGE RISERS!

 

4550242308_1cb83458ee_oBYU Hawaii ridge riser cropped

IMG_1880   Ridge Riser - Hawaii

Concrete tile is a good choice in the tough, humid climates like you find in islands of the Pacific.  Whereas wood can rot and asphalt shingles wear out due to weather conditions, tile gets stronger over time and is not as susceptible to the ravages of the climate conditions.

As a roof consultant decades ago, Terry helped the Mormon Church with some roof consulting on tile roofs in the Hawaiian Islands. Concrete tile was used on many buildings then. The roofs have lasted for decades and this year on his trip, he discovered that Boral Tile is being re-installed on some of the buildings on campus.

TRA Snow and Sun’s Ridge Risers were not invented until recently (and patented by Anderson) so Terry was excited to see them being used on the re-roof project.

Ridge_Riser200x138

RIDGE RISER PRODUCT DATA

Ridge risers are used on: Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs

• They elevate the nailing board for proper ventilation
• Easy application for hip and ridge tiles
• They fit all tile profiles at the hips and ridges
• Long term durability

We have Ridge Risers in stock right now! Call 800-606-8980 or visit: https://trasnowandsun.com/