Sliding Snow On Sloping Roofs

They must be able to carry substantial snow loads 1 3 but the possibility also exists of the snow suddenly breaking loose and sliding off and endangering people vehicles other roofs and mechanical and electrical installations below.

Sliding snow on sloping roofs. Snow loads acting on a sloping surface shall be assumed to act on the horizontal projection of that surface. Sloped roof snow loads calculations and regional design. Snow sliding off roofs can block pedestrian and vehicle. This digest discusses the mechanisms and forces involved when snow slides down smooth metal or glass roofs and shows how to compute the forces that sliding snow imposes on chimneys parapets and snow fences.

Snow and ice sliding off sloped slippery roofs can damage property and injure people as far as 30 feet away from two story facilities. It also discusses the dangers associated with sliding snow icicles ice dams and ice build up on sidewalks.