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“The death toll from the epic snowstorm this week climbed by three on Friday to 13.”
” At least 30 building collapses were reported overnight, mostly farm buildings and flat-roof structures”
Apparently keeping snow on your roof is a very BAD idea.
OR IS IT?
Let’s not jump to conclusions here. Keep in mind a couple of descriptive words in those headlines, particularly “flat roofs” and “epic snowstorm.”
Note that most roof collapsing happened on farm buildings and flat roof structures. Since out buildings are often built without regard to standard building codes and often are very old buildings, this makes sense. Remember that even with 30 older, flat roof or outbuilding roofs collapsing, that means that 99+% of all buildings are NOT collapsing.
Heavy snowstorms happen in all snowy areas and they are considered when planning for roof snow loads. The snow loads are computed by structural engineers and those that set standards for buildings based on a 50 year Mean Recurrence snow load. They take into account ground snow loads, roof drainage, snowdrifting and other thermal factors.
In the Northeast during the winter of 2010-2011, roofs collapsed, leading to studies by prominent engineers*. Their conclusions can help us understand these distressing headlines and bring some comfort to people who are frightened by these headlines.
The first reason for roof failures has to do with when the building was constructed. In Connecticut in 2011 of the 175 roofs that collapsed, 107 were built before Connecticut adopted its first state-wide building code in 1971. In addition outbuildings like barns were exempt from snow load provisions, resulting in collapse.
The second reason for roof failures showed that poor performance was “hidden” structural defects such as inadequate slope to drainage resulting in ponding loads, blocked roof drains, solar panels causing dead loads, structural support removal, material deterioration over time.
If your structure was built according to modern building codes, have no fear! Use our snow retention products to keep that snow from moving, melting in place, and providing an insulative blanket during the cold months ahead. You’ll be comfortable, safe and sound.
* http://www.structuremag.org/?p=1155
I live in the Rocky Mountain West in a regular old neighborhood and NOT at a high altitude ski resort. So remember that as you read this post. it’s probably very similar to where you live. You might be surprised that we, and you, might need roof snow retention. As I sit in front of my warm fireplace during the first cold snap of the year (feels like January in November!!!), I recall another cold time where I was very worried about an ice dam, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Remember two years ago? In many locations it was bitter cold in January. Sort of like it has been the last couple of days. There was a dangerous condition that happened that year and I’m worried it might happen again in my neighborhood or yours. In a valley, not a mountain ski resort. At 4000 feet elevation, not 6500. With less than a foot of snow on the roof.
We have a neighbor whom we’ll call her Mrs. Out-of-Site-Out-of-Mind. She has two entrances to the front of her home. The smaller side entrance (the one the kids use to enter the mud room), became a dangerous location that month in 2013. The snow fell a few inches, the next day a few more inches. Gradually it built up. It was beautiful. The kids loved it. Snowmen, snow forts and snow fights galore.
But that same snow also loaded up the roof over this side entrance and since the dryer was always going (with gloves, scarves and hats) the vent from the dryer warmed up that part of the roof, that snow melted and the water slid down into the gutter. It dripped down where the little patio roof covered the entrance. That’s what happened during the day. At night and when temperatures dropped, which was often, that melted water froze. Day after day, that water froze until it became an ice dam. Each day the whole ice dam slid just a little bit more out over that patio entrance.
Guess whose kids couldn’t come and go into the mudroom anymore? Yep, Mrs. Out-of-Site-Out-of-Mind’s. The possibility that on a warm day those happy kids would slam a door and that whole messy ice dam would become a heavy deathtrap was a very real possibility.
I wish I had educated my neighbor better about how easily that dangerous condition could be avoided. I’m hoping it doesn’t take another dangerous build-up of snow endangering her children to do some things to protect her kids.
It’s not too late. TRA Snow and Sun routinely designs roof snow retention systems for homeowners like my Mrs. Out-of-Site-Out-of-Mind. My estimate is that she will need less than 20 Snow Brackets and she and her husband can install them on their asphalt shingle roof the same day they put up their Christmas lights! Assuming it’s warmer than today. Or a licensed roofing contractor can do it for her. All we need is her roof type, address and slope of her roof provided over the phone or via e-mail.
When you get your Christmas lights out, don’t be like Mrs. Out-of-Site-Out-of-Mind. Fix that dangerous spot on your roof and enjoy all the coming snowmen, snow forts and snowball fights in safety! (And stay warm!)
In 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.”
Available 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
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.
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 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, 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.”
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/.
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
Terry 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
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.
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.
In 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/.
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.
TRA 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.
Terry 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.
Common roof architecture of homes in snow regions typically something look like the traditional A-frame or at the least has very steep angles and sides. This is due to the mistaken belief that steep roofs are best because you want to shed snow off the roof, thereby making the entire home safer and less at risk to snow or water damage.
But the truth is far different! At TRA Snow and Sun, we have a fundamentally different belief from the traditional view in that we KNOW that keeping the snow on the roof is far safer for both the home and those who live in the home.
The process of keeping snow on the roof of a home is called snow retention. Snow retention can offer a wide range of advantages to a home owner, including the following:
Halloween has now come and gone and the fall weather is beginning to reflect winter’s cold. Homeowners who have not yet prepared their homes for winter should look to do so now. As time runs out for winter preparations, homeowners who have put off their home winterization need to begin as soon as possible in order to fully ready their homes for winter’s freezing temperatures and heavy snow falls.
One of the first ways to winterize the home is to clean out the gutters. During the autumn season especially, fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris can clog a home’s gutter system and make water removal from winter rain and snow storms impossible, which can in turn lead to water damage in the home or damage to the roof.
Another winterizing technique that can help a home protect itself from the winter weather is to have snow clips installed on the roof to provide snow retention. Installing snow retention devices will allow for a safer and more efficient snow melt by keeping the snow on your roof where it melts in place rather than sliding off onto people of property.
Roofs without snow retention can be dangerous to the property and to those who live in the home. Without snow retention, large chunks of snow and ice can fall from the roof of the home and cause damage or personal injury.
Another major step to winterizing a home will be to inspect the home’s heating system or furnace for any possible damage as well as for efficiency. Even as fall surely turns to winter, it is not too late to prepare one’s home for the approaching snow and cold through proper home winterization.
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