Snow and Ice on the Roof

It’s often challenging for architects to consider all the cold weather factors that could affect a roof’s structure and function. It’s not unusual for them to call on a local consultant to help for the sake of safety and expense.

A consultant will weigh in on how moving snow could cause unintended consequences, such as damaging roof projections and parapets. In severe cases, large amounts of snow could even tumble down from the roof and injure people below.

Additionally, when snow accumulates on a sloped roof, an icy barrier called a roof dam could form at its edges. This issue generally occurs when the roof temperature is above freezing and the indoor heat rises, but the temperature below the roof is still below freezing. However, proactive measures to improve insulation and airtightness can prevent ice dams.

Choosing WRB-AB Carefully

A building’s ​water-resistive barrier and air barrier (WRB-AB) keeps the outdoor elements from getting inside the structure and causing problems. Although some professionals advocate for the use of vapor-blocking WRB-ABs, that choice can cause issues in cold climates.

More specifically, during periods of frigid outdoor temperatures, the weather can create a vapor drive. This makes a building’s accumulated indoor warmth and humidity try to escape through its exterior walls. When the moisture gathers there, it could cause metal components to corrode or encourage mold and mildew growth. However, selecting a WRB-AB that lets vapor escape prevents that outcome.

Architects who are used to cold weather climates and local consultants understand the link between the WRB-AB and snow and ice accumulation. A high snow buildup lets heat escape through conduction. However, a WRB-AB can let vapor pass from the building’s interior to its exterior, making snow less likely to accumulate on the structure.

Comfort and Safety During Design

Architects and others involved in a building’s design understand energy efficiency. Gas furnaces are energy efficient and not associated with high fuel costs. Those characteristics mean that they’re often money saving over time. In addition, high-efficiency heat pumps are becoming more popular in some areas. Heat pumps bring both heating and cooling to a building.

Window placement also factors into a building’s design. When used strategically, windows can let both light and heat into a building naturally, which could keep heating costs down. Options like peel-and-stick air barriers placed on the warm side of a wall can also promote better energy efficiency.

Design considerations keep people safe in cold weather. One method is to have heating elements underneath frequently used walkways.

Since cold climate events can often bring power outages, architects also consider features such as backup generators and emergency lighting. These can help ensure safety while making it easier for people to navigate the building after a sudden power loss.

Detailed, Time-Based Maintenance Planning

Planning for cold weather occurs long before the temperature dips. A facility manager ensures that snow-removal equipment works before it is needed, for example. They stock up on accessories such as weather stripping for areas around doors. They create plans that detail precisely what tasks to perform at specific intervals.

Appropriate Service Providers Contacted

Maintaining a building during cold weather or at any other time is a team effort. Facilities managers usually have specific service providers they can rely on to keep buildings functioning as they should. They keep accurate records and have the building’s equipment serviced at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

Additionally, if a building’s maintenance requires bulk materials, such as deicing salts and fluids or generator fuel, suppliers are contacted well before anticipated cold weather occurs. Waiting too long to source those supplies risks a shortage occurring during peak winter demand.

However, service providers will often receive a call during winter conditions. For example, they could be asked to use a roof rake to move snow 3 feet away from the edge of the roof to prevent ice dams from forming.

Winter preparation includes a maintenance plan that details the tasks handled by an in-house team. This ensures that the necessary assistance is available when needed and is scheduled in time.

Technology Helps

Adoption of advanced technology by facilities managers helps with cold weather maintenance. Use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors can detect the weight of rooftop snow, alerting managers well before the snow exceeds the roof’s limits. Sensors can also notify managers when heaters or other essential equipment needs urgent attention between service calls.

Data analysis will help gauge weather effects. Previous events provide a history of reference and may have exposed maintenance inadequacies during a recent blizzard, for example. This information is stored, as are the steps that were taken to address them and what has worked well or needs improvement.

The best designed buildings were the result of technology brought in to help. Going digital, a modern facility can provide access to data easily—without anyone having to be on-site and sift through paperwork and drawings. Modern collaboration applications allow maintenance team members to be anywhere, and not have to brave dangerous roads and elements simply to check conditions and control building functions.