TRA Snow and Sun Designs New Tile Vent for National Customer

TRA Snow and Sun has redesigned TileVent to meet higher tile roof ventilation needs on Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouses. Natural resources are conserved when tile roof ventilation is installed.

TRA Snow and Sun of American Fork, Utah, recently created a newTile Vent installation

TileVent to be used on meetinghouses for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) with tile roofs. The new TileVent is wider with more ventilation holes than the regular TRA TileVent.

TileVent is a lightweight, corrugated aluminum or copper product used to flash the ridge or hip of a tile roof while, at the same time, allowing air flow from the lower part of the roof to vent up and out through the ridge.

Why is air flow from the eave to the ridge important?

TRA President, Terry Anderson, explains, “If you have ever worked in an attic space on a hot summer day you know how stifling and miserable it can be up there. Obviously roofs and exterior surfaces get hot from the sun during daytime hours and that radiant heat enters the building, in turn heating the air molecules which then naturally travel upward. By venting the roof system, the warm air is sucked out the ridge as cool air enters at the eave. The escaped hot air is replaced by cooler air, thus keeping interior temperatures lower.” In other words, venting promotes a constant temperature from eave to roof ridge, reducing ice dams in winter months while providing energy efficiency and reducing costs all year. Condensation issues are also prevented.

A side benefit is that limited natural resources are conserved because buildings that are vented this way use less energy for cooling. According to a study done by Oakridge National Laboratory, “Venting caused a significant 50% reduction in the heat penetrating the conditioned space compared to the direct-nailed asphalt shingle roof that is in direct contact with the roof deck.*”

TRA Snow and Sun’s regular TileVent, available in 25 foot rolls in widths from 9.5″ – 15.75″, conforms to the surface of the roof at hip or ridge and can stretch up to 30%. It is ICC approved for fire, rain, and dust. Standard installation calls for one roll of TileVent to be placed over the ridge and then adhered down on each side of the ridge on top of the roofing product. A butyl adhesive strip prevents driving snow or rain from entering the roof and allows for 10.3 square inches of net free airflow per running foot of roof.

Most LDS Church meetinghouses have a longer eave to ridge span than the average tile roof building. Creating airflow from eave to ridge over a long length of roof requires much greater exhaust per running foot, hence the new LDS designs which are 11″, 13″, and 17.75″ wide. The 17.75″ wide vent is applied the standard way (one piece running down the ridgeline) but the 11′ and 13″ vent products are applied on both sides of the ridge, rather than one strip wrapping the ridge. All three designs allow for a lot more air flow than the standard – 17.8 square inches of air flow per lineal foot for the 11” wide material, 22 square inches of air flow per lineal foot for the 13” wide material. The 17.75″ wide TileVent used on the LDS church provides more ventilation holes than the standard tile vent which provides 16.2 square inches of air flow per lineal foot.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc encourages customers to contact them about special products like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did. Oftentimes new products like this one become available for all other customers.

*William A. Miller, Ph.D. Buildings Technology Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Study Cited: Steep-slope Assembly Testing of Clay and Concrete Tile with and without Cool Pigmented Colors – October 2005

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They are dedicated to improving roofing systems with energy efficiency. Supplying to all types of customers, from the individual homeowners to the big developers. Their engineered designs are always free for all types of systems. For more information call Devin Hancock at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980, devin(at)trasnowandsun(dot)com, or visit https://trasnowandsun.com/product-category/ventilation-flashing/.

 

 

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc. Offers Roof Snow Retention Specification Details Online

CAD Details LogoIn response to requests from architects and other construction specifiers, TRA Snow and Sun has added CAD details of many of their roof snow retention devices for easy access online.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., of American Fork, Utah, has recently provided their newly updated CAD details for their roof snow retention devices on their website – trasnowandsun.com.

Architects and specifiers are gradually moving away from keeping large volumes of information in their offices and many also work on their projects during non-business hours.  They have indicated some preferences as to how manufacturers can assist them to make their jobs easier.  One way is for manufacturers to provide online versions of their product data sheets, specifications and computer aided drawings.

TRA Snow and Sun President, Terry Anderson, patent holder on snow retention devices and other Snow and Sun products, expressed his desire to accommodate architects’ wishes.  “Obviously our world has changed.  In the old days I would drop off a binder full of product brochures, specifications, and drawings at an architect’s office, he would put it on his shelf, and then convert those later to use on his projects.  I would make in-person calls to update that information.  With the advent of our Information Age, most architects prefer a simpler and more timely and accurate method of obtaining their information.”

TRA Snow and Sun on CAD DetailsAvailable now by choosing the “CAD Details” button on the main navigation bar at trasnowandsun.com, are details for Snow Brackets™ A-L, details for all concrete tile manufacturers, asphalt, slate, metal and ceramic tile manufacturers, and decorative snow maple leaves, moose, bear and others).   There are also details for Gutter Brackets, Clamp-on Snow Fences, Deck Mount Snow Fences and their patented Ridge Riser.

Although the company still offers hard copies of all their information, they anticipate requests for information provided the old-fashioned way will continue to dwindle.  Taea Hall, Marketing Director, is spear-heading the effort to put all of TRA’s product details and drawings online, including their ventilation devices and solar mounting products.  ”CAD Details helps TRA Snow and Sun stay more connected to architects and specifiers.  Posting CAD Details on our website makes it easy to keep the information up to date and pertinent. Architects and specifiers don’t have to worry anymore if our information
is out of date.”

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call Robyn Finch at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com

PDF version CAD Details

TRA Snow and Sun Helps Camp Kostopulos for Disabled Individual Prevent Possible Injury from Sliding Snow and Ice

Camp Kostopulos’ new Equestrian Center experienced avalanching snow and ice during it’s first two winters, so TRA Snow and Sun installed a snow retention solution to project disabled campers in 2014.

In 2012 when TRA Snow and Sun of American Fork, Utah established their new mission statement to include offering roof snow retention and solar mounting products “that provide the ultimate in protection” for people and property, they didn’t know how important this focus might be for disabled individuals in 2014.

Camp Kostopolus-Ace Gutter 4

Just a short drive north along the Wasatch Front, Camp Kostopulos, a camp for disabled individuals, also has a mission statement that focuses on the value of human life.  They are “dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities” and endeavor to open a world of opportunities for people with disabilities.  During the winter of 2014, the focus of both companies combined to provide safety for campers who use the new Equestrian Center which had experienced a serious problem from dangerous falling snow and ice.

According to Jacob Anderson, TRA Snow and Sun Sales Director, the 62 pounds per square foot snow load on the building’s 5/12 pitched standing seam metal roof had fallen victim to the ferocious forces of sliding snow and ice during the winters of 2012 and 2013. This caused the gutters along the front of the 200 ft. long and 100 ft. wide arena to be torn off. Sliding snow and ice can avalanche off and literally kill an unsuspecting person unexpectedly and can damage
anything in its path on the ground.

Mircea Divrician, who began as a counselor at the camp in 1998, and stayed on to become Executive Director of the Kostopulos Dream Foundation, realized that there was a real possibility for tragedy to a camper or staff member going in or out of one of the buildings if something wasn’t done.  “We built the Equestrian Center two years ago but didn’t plan on putting snow clips on the roof.  We didn’t foresee how much of a threat the snow could be!  The first winter was horrible.  We get a lot of snow in Emigration Canyon and then there would be a nice sunny day and the snow melts and then, boom, a huge chunk of snow comes down.  So we installed gutters with heat tape, but the second winter the snow came down and smashed the gutters.  Another time a huge chunk of snow came down and when it hit the ground it fell back onto the side of the building, causing damage to the metal panels.  We knew this was a real hazard for the people around this building and the vans and cars parked right outside.”

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., obtained the key data needed (snowload, slope, type of roof, etc.) and provided an engineered layout for the north side of the building. TRA Snow and Sun, Inc used their Universal Snow Guard and specified spacing them throughout the span of the roof approximately every six to eight feet. The system was installed this year and Divricean anticipates no further problems from the dangers of snow and ice on the roof next winter. President of TRA Snow and Sun, Terry Anderson, was glad to be part of this project. “We do many snow retention projects, but whenever we get a call to be part of something that focuses so much on improving the quality of life for special people like those who use Camp Kostopulos,we really like it. I got into the roof snow retention business originally because I couldn’t stand the thought of someone being injured by falling snow and ice from a roof.”

At Camp Kostopulos kids, teens, and adults with disabilities enjoy riding horses, swimming in a heated pool, fishing in a trout pond, utilizing a ropes course, canoeing, creating arts and crafts, and more. Since 1967, the Kostopulos Dream Foundation has been dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through the medium of recreation and leisure education

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions. They supply to all types of customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer and free engineered designs of all their systems. For more information call Terry Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or
visit https://trasnowandsun.com/product-category/snow-retention/

Camp Kostopolus-Ace Gutter 3Camp Kostopulos, accredited by the American Camp Association, is a residential summer camp where kids, teens, and adults with disabilities are able to choose from two options a five day residential camp or travel trips. For more information contact Mircea Divricean, Executive Director Kostopulos Dream Foundation,4180 Emigration Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Phone: (801)582-0700, Fax: (801)583-5176, mdivricean@campk.org. Visit http://www.campk.org/.

 

TRA Snow and Sun Announces New Cost-Saving Deck Mount Snow Fences

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., is now offering new Deck Mount Snow Fence designs that will save the end user money.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., well known for their Snow Bracket snow guards and engineered snow retention system, has developed new lower cost deck mount snow fence called the Mount Shasta and Diamond Mount.

Terry Anderson, President, explains why the company, which also offers individual snow guards and other snow fences, decided to expand their product line.  “Our other snow fences have been very successful but we wanted to provide a less expensive option.  The Mount Shasta Deck Mount fits this need while still providing superior protection from sliding snow and ice.”

snow fence, snow retention, heavy duty snow fences, snow rails

The new deck mount system is designed for installation on most stick framed roof types and works with 3/4” X 3/4” square fence pipe (Diamond Mount style) or 1” (1.315”OD) fence pipe (Mount Shasta style).  Customers can choose from one or two rail designs.

The engineers at TRA Snow and Sun always take the snow load, slope of the roof and roof type into account when calculating how many snow fences are needed and how far apart they are placed on the roof.   The heavier gauge, larger snow fence mounts as well as this new mount are considered for each job.

All three factors determine which snow fence system is recommended.  If, for instance, a roof calculates out to require 1.2 fences from eave to ridge using TRA’s original deck mount snow fences, then two fences are specified because you cannot disregard the need for the .2 of a fence that would hold back snow.  If the new Mount Shasta deck mount snow fence calculates out to 1.8 fences from eave to ridge, that would also mean two snow fences, but the new snow fence clamp is less costly, still ensuring a safe system with less expense to the customer.

The Mount Shasta and Diamond Mount Deck Mount Snow Fences are available in steel, copper and Cor-Ten®, with finishes in raw steel, electro-galvanized steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel, mill finish copper, mill finish Cor-Ten®.  Powder coating is available. These snow fences are used on: asphalt shingle, cedar shingles, flat seam metal, granule metal, metal panel, slate simulated slate, tile roofs and woods shakes.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions. They supply to all types of customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer and offer free engineered designs of all their systems. For more information call Jacob Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit https://trasnowandsun.com/product-category/snow-retention/.

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Patent Awarded to TRA Snow and Sun Owner for Clamp-on Snow Fence Bracket

Terry Anderson, owner of TRA Snow and Sun, has been awarded a US Patent for a clamp-on bracket used in retaining snow or attaching solar panels on metal roofs

clamp on patent, snow retention patentTerry Anderson, owner of TRA Snow and Sun, Inc. of American Fork, Utah, received a US Patent for one of his latest inventions, a clamp-on bracket for use in retaining snow and solar panels on metal roofs.  Anderson also has two other patents.  He invented the original Snow Bracket for retaining snow on tile roofs as well as the Ridge Riser® which is used to attach and elevate the ridge board to increase ventilation and provide more strength for high wind resistance.

The new clamp-on bracket can be used for securing roof snow fences, attaching solar panels, mounting conduits on a roof and creating roof platforms without penetrating the roof system.

Retaining snow on roofs is important due to the obvious danger created when heavy snow and/or ice avalanches.  Such avalanches can cause injury or death to people and damage to property.  Since metal roofs naturally have a slippery surface, it is especially critical to install a snow retention system.  However, metal roofs pose attachment issues different from other roof types.  Attaching a snow retention device to a metal panel, particularly on a standing seam roof, must be done without penetrating the roof system due to the risk of causing a leak and also to protect the manufacturer’s warrantee.  Metal roofs expand and contract with temperature changes, so in most cases, fixing the panels with fasteners will void manufacturer’s warrantees.  Hence, the clamp-on style of attachment is preferable.

Anderson’s extensive background in roof snow retention for all roof types lead him to recognize deficits in other clamp-on type brackets.  He frequently encountered damage caused during installation when set screws were fastened to the seam of the panel, damaging the painted surface of the seam.  He also wanted to prevent heavy snow load forces from twisting the panel ribs when the brackets were attached on top of the hem.

This clamp-on bracket is unique from others in several aspects.  It is modified to work on both snap-lock and mechanical standing seam types by attaching under the hem, which prevents the twisting often seen in brackets attached above the hem. The 4-inch width of the clamp provides much more contact with the standing seam than most other clamps, which provides greater strength, needed in heavy snow areas.

The use of dissimilar metals such as aluminum clamps on a steel roof can cause corrosion, something no one wants to see on any roof.  So this new bracket employs two carriage bolts made of the same metal as the bracket and the roof which, when tightened, crimp the bracket but do not come into contact with the panel at all. When the bolts are tightened, four dimples on each side of the clamp squeeze the rib, creating a snug attachment and preventing the clamp from sliding down or off the rib.

Anderson states, “It’s also important when creating a snow retention system on any roof, that the snow load, slope and other factors are taken into consideration and that the system is engineered with those factors in mind.  I’m pleased with the new clamp-on bracket.  It not only solves problems I’ve seen with other clamp-on snow retention designs, but can be used as part of a solar mounting system, mounting conduit on a roof or to create roof platforms all without penetrating the roof system.”

US Patent No. 8,607,507 issued Dec. 17, 2013

Terry Anderson has been in the roof consulting and roof accessory business for over 30 years.  He is a Registered Roof Consultant, member of TRI and co-author of Concrete and Clay Tile Roof Design Criteria Manual for Cold and Snow Regions and the owner of several roof accessory patents including the original Snow Bracket and Ridge Riser®.  His company, TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions. They supply to all types of customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer and free engineered designs of all their systems. For more information call Terry Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com

TRA Snow and Sun Standing Seam Clamps Help Prevent Roof Avalanches at Delaware Cabela’s

Outdoor retailer, Cabela’s, is constructing their first store in Delaware with protection from snow and ice avalanches by using TRA Snow and Sun Standing Seam Clamps on the roof.

The “Caution: Falling Ice” signs are out again.

But not at the new Cabela’s outdoor specialty store in Christiana, Delaware, the first in the state and 48th in the US and Canada.  Customers will notice the familiar log construction, stonework, big windows, and metal roof.  Closer looks up at the roof will show evidence of Cabela’s attention to customers’ safety – snow fences which use TRA Snow and Sun’s standing seam clamps designed to stop dangerous avalanching snow and ice.  Cabela’s CEO, Tommy Millner, has stated that Cabela’s wants to “deliver a premier retail experience” and that premier experience apparently extends to the safety of customers walking in.cabelas

Experts agree that chances of being struck by an avalanche of snow and ice off a roof are not high, but when it does happen it can be tragic.   Every year hundreds of people are injured and many killed when chunks of snow and ice fall off a roof. At least one hundred fifty people were injured and dozens killed worldwide during the cold winter of 2010.  In addition building owners are sometimes sued for not protecting the public from falling snow and ice.  The upscale retailer, Neiman Markus, was sued when one man was killed from a large piece of ice which slid off the roof from their Chicago store.  That suit resulted in a $4.5 million settlement against them.*

Cabela’s is one of the more safety-minded retailers who are beginning to take precautions on their own initiative since most building codes don’t require builders to install snow fences or snow brackets or even to display caution signs about falling snow or ice.

During the winter, snow builds up on roofs. Then eventually there will be a warm spell, sometimes accompanied by rain, and the glaciers that have formed on the roof, slide downwards, usually quickly and without warning.  Being underneath when this happens might mean being impaled by an icicle!

Since Christiana receives snow between December and March with a snowload of 25 pounds per square foot, roof snow retention is an obvious safety consideration.  The roof on this Cabela’s rises 8 inches in every 12, so the chance of snow and ice sliding right over the eave is great.  A snow and ice avalanche can cause damage and even death to anyone who happens to be underneath when the avalanche happens.

snow rail, clamp on, snow retention, metal roofIn the case of this Cabela’s metal roof, the one-rail standing seam clamp on snow fence was chosen by HK Griffith for its ease of installation and engineered design.  Jake Owsley, Inside Sales Representative for TRA Snow and Sun, recounts, “Our C-2-1-Z one rail standing seam clamp was perfect for this job.  Its simple installation method of tightening down two 9/16” nuts with a torque wrench is a great labor advantage as opposed to set screw options resulting in additional man hours for installation.”

Tim Brown of HK Griffith Inc. stated he could save tremendously on labor costs because of TRA’s easy attachment method.   In addition, TRA Snow and Sun was able to powder-coat each part of the standing seam clamps to match the metal roofing product.

According to Owsley, “The customer contacted us in May of 2013 and we went through the free engineering process.   It’s very important we design a system that takes into account the specific snowload of the region, the roof type and the slope.  If those things aren’t calculated, the customer is taking chances on the snow fence being able to hold back an avalanche resulting in roof damage, injury, and even death.”

The Christiana Cabela’s standing seam clamps are being installed now and the store will open in the spring of 2014.  There won’t be any “Caution: Falling Ice” signs displayed at this new Cabela’s thanks to the snow retention system in place up on the roof.

* Cheryl J. Larsen, Special Administrator of the Estate of Donald Booth, Deceased v. The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.; O&Y (U.S.) Development General Partner Corp., a corporation; O&Y (U.S.) Development Company, L.P., a corporation; Joseph McElroy, Robert T. Price, Larry D. Kenny and Larry Dematteo, Circuit Court of Cook County Number 97 L 11368.

H. K. Griffith, Inc. is a commercial/industrial contractor providing roofing and sheet metal services in Delware and the surrounding state for more than 35 years. They have built a reputation on high quality installation, preventative maintenance, safety and service. For more information visit http://www.hkgriffith.com/

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions. They supply to all types of customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer and offer free engineered designs of all their systems. For more information call Jake Owsley at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit https://trasnowandsun.com/product-category/snow-retention/.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., Announces New Universal Snow Guard for Roof Snow Retention

November 21, 2013

TRA Snow and Sun designs Universal Snow Bracket which is less expensive than other, larger snow guards and will compete with plastic snow guards. The new snow guard attaches to most roof types.

universal guard, snow guard, snow bracketTRA Snow and Sun, Inc., long recognized in the roofing industry for its engineered and safety-conscious approach to roof snow retention, has developed a new, more versatile and inexpensive snow bracket, the Universal Guard. The new snow guard has a low profile and attaches to almost all roof types: asphalt shingles, metal panel, wood shingles, slate. It’s design and price will compete with other manufacturers’ plastic snow guards.

The Universal Guard standard size is 2.5″ x 2.5″ x 2.5″ but customizable to meet any width requirement. For example if a roofer is installing a metal panel with 2″ between ribs, this bracket can be made 2″ wide. If a roofer wants to fill in the space on a 16″ panel, the Universal Guard can be made 16″ wide. TRA provides free engineering for all roof projects.

universal guard, snow guard, snow bracketTerry Anderson, President of TRA Snow and Sun, explained why they created the new snow bracket. “We wanted to offer an inexpensive option to plastic snow guards which discolor and breakdown due to ultra-violet light exposure over time. Our metal Universal Guard is comparable in price, but much more durable. The Universal Guard can be easily stocked by wholesalers, making it readily available to the roofer or homeowner to pick up and install all in one day.”

There are three methods of attachment: vertically attaching to a truss or rafter, horizontally attaching to metal purlin, using adhesive to glue to metal panel and screwing into roof sheathing. However, TRA encourages mechanical fasten rather than relying on adhesive. These options make the product adaptable to a wide range of roof projects.

TRA Snow and Sun offers powder-coating of all products, including the Universal Guard, in more than 50 standard colors. One other benefit is the color insert. An installer can cut a piece of the metal panel, and slide it into the bracket to blend the snow bracket in with the roof or to complement the color scheme of the building.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions. They supply to all types of customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer and free engineered designs of all their systems. For more information call Jacob Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit our site.

TRA Snow and Sun Announces Release of New Gutter Bracket

July 18, 2013

TRA Snow and Sun’s new Gutter Bracket for half-round gutters is available in a variety of colors, sizes and quantities to help the contractors who install this European-style gutter.gutter bracket, tra snow and sun

TRA Snow and Sun owner, Terry Anderson, began his business over 25 years ago using European ideas about roof snow retention, then bringing the time-tested concepts to the United States.  Again, Europe has impacted Anderson’s business as his company has designed and now announces the Gutter Bracket to support European style half-round gutters.

Standard American gutters are half rectangle, or box shaped.  The European style, which is being used more often on American high-end homes and resort areas, is half-round.  These half-round gutters require a half-round bracket attachment to mount the gutter to the fascia.   Standard box type gutter attachments will not work.

During a recent trip, Anderson met many contractors who had to order their Gutter Brackets all the way from Europe.  When these snow retention customers complained about the expense of shipping from Europe, the limited colors offered, and the high quantities that were required to buy, Anderson responded with a “can-do” attitude.  In a short period of time the first TRA Snow and Sun Gutter Bracket was designed, manufactured and shipped.

“We’re always looking for ways to help our customers and when I heard about the Gutter Bracket problems, I knew we could make a higher quality product than what these contractors were currently purchasing.” The new Gutter Bracket is available in copper or steel and can be powder coated in 50 different colors.  No minimum quantities are required, either, so contractors don’t have to purchase large quantities from overseas.

Terry Anderson’s innovative and thoughtful approach to solving customers’ problems has been a key factor in the success of his company, TRA Snow and Sun, over the years.  He and his staff are always willing to design and create products that will do a better job of meeting their customers’ needs, keeping in mind the importance of proper engineering and safety.  In the case of the Gutter Bracket, all it took was a contractor telling him about the problem.

More products are in the design stage and will be announced soon.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Racking Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions. They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems. For more information call Jacob Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com

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TRA Snow and Sun and TRA-MAGE Part Ways

March 26, 2013

Terry Anderson continues as CEO of TRA Snow and Sun, resigns as President of TRA-MAGE.Terry Anderson

Terry Anderson has resigned as President of TRA-MAGE, Inc. but continues directing the operations of his original company, TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., as President and CEO.  TRA Snow and Sun, established in 1996, had been selling roof snow retention products exclusively through TRA-MAGE from 2004 until the fall of 2012.  With Anderson’s resignation from TRA-MAGE, he can now focus on the exclusively American-owned company that he founded.

Anderson says, “I ran the day to day operations of both TRA-MAGE and of TRA Snow and Sun from the beginning of each venture.  So the only change customers should notice is the name.  My relationship with my German partners has ended, but my dedication to our customers, the industry, and on engineering superior systems has only heightened as a result of this change.  It is of utmost importance to me that our customers’ experience be improved.” TRA Snow and Sun offers a new and improved focus on engineered solutions for roof snow retention, solar mounting, aluminum rolled roof flashings and ventilation products.

TRA Snow and Sun is still located where both companies have been located for many years, 1657 S. 580 E., American Fork, Utah.  The phone number and staff continue as usual at TRA Snow and Sun with no interruption.  “The employees that customers have come to depend on are still ready to serve them from TRA Snow and Sun with no discernible interruption,” assures Anderson.

History of TRA Snow and Sun

Nearly 23 years ago Anderson had established himself as a successful and respected roofing consultant and owner of Anderson Associates, Inc.  He was an expert in tile roof issues, co-author of the “Concrete and Clay Tile Design Criteria for Cold and Snow Regions Manual,” served on the Technical Committee of the Tile Roofing Institute and he designed and patented the very first roof Snow Bracket™.  Tile Roof Accessories was established in 1996 to manufacture and market this original snow retention device.  During the early days, products were manufactured in Ogden, Utah, but as other designs of Snow Brackets™ were created to work on every type of roof, the company set up shop in American Fork, Utah and the company name was changed to TRA Snow Brackets.  As demand for snow retention products for all types of roofs increased, the operation moved a few miles away to a new 24,000 square foot manufacturing and office facility.

In 2004, founder Terry Anderson and MAGE, a German corporation, joined efforts and established TRA-MAGE, Inc., adding aluminum flashing and ventilation products to the snow retention devices.  TRA Snow Brackets continued to operate as a corporation, manufacturing all of the snow retention devices as well as providing warehouse and office space for TRA-MAGE but stopped selling directly, instead selling all products under the umbrella of TRA-Mage.

TRA Snow Brackets added solar mounting devices to its product line last year and reflected this expanded focus by incorporating Sun in its name, becoming TRA Snow and Sun.   TRA Snow and Sun offers free engineering services on all projects and guarantees their systems.  The company is 100% American owned and operated.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Ventilation and Flashing Solutions.   They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems.  For more information call Devin Hancock at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com

 

UTA’s New Frontrunner South and Bus Stations Safety Extends from the Rails to the Roof with Snow Retention by TRA Snow and Sun

January 16, 2013

Utah Transit Authority’s focus on safety includes snow retention by TRA Snow and Sun, protecting passengers not only at crossings but also from any falling snow or ice at new Frontrunner South commuter rail line and bus stations.

UTA, snow retention, snow clips

Provo Station

Utah’s new Frontrunner South commuter rail expansion, or Route 750, which began service December 10, 2013, was designed with safety in mind.  To protect the expected 6800 passengers boarding and leaving this new route in one of the fastest growing states in the nation, UTA ran test trains at various speeds up to 78 m.p.h. for more than 3 months, conducted extensive safety walk-throughs, erected billboards regarding safety in strategic locations and offered comprehensive public safety campaigns.  What most passengers don’t realize is that this focus on safety also extends to safety precautions in the design of their new stations.   The danger is not from the train or other vehicles but from Mother Nature herself.

Within two weeks of opening their seven new stations from Salt Lake City to Provo, an average of 14 inches of new snow had fallen along its 44 mile path and 7800 passengers had boarded the Frontrunner South train.  As snow and ice built up on the roads, more than 500 car crashes were attributed to the difficult conditions.  Snow melted into water, ran down roofs and filled gutters with ice, creating hazards when it threatened to crash off of homes and businesses.   But commuters came and went with no concern for the risk of dangerous snow and ice falling on their heads as they passed from platform to train car.

In the design of the new station, PIVOT Architecture had specified a clamp on snow fence by TRA Snow and Sun, a Utah company specializing in roof snow retention devices.  The snow retention devices are engineered and designed specific to each roof condition including slope of roof, snow load, and type of roofing product.  At the Provo bus station a standing seam metal roof was designed with two rows of snow fence rail installed on the station roof.  It protects passengers waiting for a train or leaving the station.

Clamp On Snow fences prevent people and property from being struck by snow and ice falling from the roof. Property damage and injuries, even deaths can occur when snow is not properly retained on a roof.  On a residential or commercial building, snow melting slowly on a roof rather than sliding off also creates an insulation barrier, keeping the interior of the structure warmer.

Jacob Anderson engineer at TRA Snow and Sun states, “The clamp on snow fences used on the Provo Intermodal bus stations were a great match for the type of roof used but most importantly because the two-rail snow fence offered additional protection to pedestrians below.  It was apparent that UTA was most interested in getting the snow retention that offered the most comprehensive protection.”

UTA’s website states “Safety is our #1 priority.”  It appears that this concern starts on the pavement but extends all the way up to the roof and protects passengers from not just dangers at ground level from Mother Nature herself.

TRA Snow and Sun, Inc., located in American Fork, Utah, offers Roof Snow Retention Devices, Solar Mounting Systems and Roof Flashing Solutions.   They provide all customers, from the individual homeowner to the big developer, free engineered designs for all their systems.  For more information call Jacob Anderson at TRA Snow and Sun at 800-606-8980 or visit www.trasnowandsun.com