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Are Snow Guards
Needed On All Roof Surfaces?
Some architects and contractors request installation of a snow-guard
system around the entire perimeter of a building -- a good practice,
especially if the building has gutters or is close to pedestrian
access. However, snow guards need not be installed on all
roof surfaces. Snow guards are most necessary when you have sloping
roofs above:
Entryways,
walkways, and gathering areas
Skylights, atriums, or greenhouses
Parking and drive-through areas
Children's play areas
Expensive landscaping and lawn art
Roofs situated below higher, sloped roofs
Plumbing-vent and fascia-mounted gutters
Ground-mounted mechanical units
Hot tubs and patio areas
There are several additional considerations
for snow-guard placement. One area of concern are the ledge details
on skyscrapers. It's common for skyscrapers to have wide window-ledge
details built into their facades. These ledges, frequently repeated
on every level of the structure, are often constructed so that
they are nearly flat. Snow tends to accumulate on these details
and settle into thick ice formations. When this ice is finally
released, it can be very heavy and dangerous. Another consideration
is the sloped surface of a pre-cast concrete facade. Although
generally not thought of as a roof surface, it will react to
snow and ice accumulation in much the same manner as a roof.
What Types Of
Snow Guards Are Available?
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There are a variety of snow-guard
designs. In general, they fall into two categories: pad style
and pipe style. Pad-style snow guards are individual units that
are installed in a roof in a pattern that creates a tier or layered
effect. Pipe-style snow guards consist of brackets that are generally
installed not more than 4 ft. apart horizontally. These brackets
are designed to support one, two, or three pipes, and have the
appearance of a fence or barricade. The snow-guard style chosen
is often an aesthetic issue. However, a pipe-style snow-guard
system, when properly installed, is generally the most reliable
system available. |
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