Snow Removal Operational Plans
Snow removal operational plans are commonplace for roads and parking lots, but have you ever considered having one available and ready to implement to remove snow from the roof of your building? This is especially important on large span buildings such as gymnasiums, warehouses, “big box” retail stores, and shopping centers. Each winter, roofs collapse because of excessive snow loads.
Snow removal is an inevitable part of winter.
Are you prepared for the safe and proper removal of snow from the roof of your building? Determining the building “safe snow load” is the first step in the development of a snow removal operational plan.
Know Your Building’s Snow Load
Determining your building’s design snow load may be as easy as reading it off the building plans or talking with the “designer of record.” On older buildings, it may require a structural engineer to determine the load. This load can then be used to establish a building’s “safe snow load.” Depending on the structure and building occupancy, the “safe snow load” could be 50 percent of the roof’s actual design snow load. Snow removal would be initiated once the actual snow load exceeds this amount.
Snow loads are measured in pounds per square foot (psf) and can range from 20 psf to over 70 psf. Fresh snow can range from 10 to 20 psf per foot depth. Snow that has partially thawed and refrozen can approach 40 to 60 psf per foot depth. Snow sampling procedures can be developed to measure and approximate the actual snow loads.
Watch for Early Warning Signs of Overloading
Sampling procedures are not the only way to detect excessive snow loads. Be on the watch for these warning signs:
- Severe roof leaks, indicating torn roof membranes.
- Ripples or bends in metal supports.
- Loud popping noises emanating from the building structure.
- Water ponds in areas where it never accumulated before.
- Obvious deformities in the roof.
Ready? Set? Shovel!
Once it has been determined that the snow must be removed, the snow removal operational plan can be instituted. This is generally by a prearranged contract with a local roofing contractor. Snow removal is usually accomplished on a time and material basis, and can range from $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot. Specifically, the plan should address roof access and egress, edge fall protection and appropriate cold weather clothing.
Be Prepared
A snow removal plan can be developed and bid out just like roof maintenance or reroofing projects, providing you with confidence this winter when Mother Nature comes calling.
[This information is provided courtesy of Benchmark, Inc., a firm that partners with EMC Insurance Companies to provide roof investigations.]
Dos and Don’ts of Snow Removal Plans
- Do remove drifted and unbalanced snow loads first.
- Do remove snow and ice from drainage devices next.
- Do remove snow in strip patterns, starting at the drainage device and proceeding up slope.
- Do take precautions when removing snow at the base of curbs and walls.
- Do protect and barricade areas where snow will be dumped or lowered.
- Don’t use snow blowers.
- Don’t stockpile snow on the roof.
- Don’t use picks, hammers or other sharp tools to remove ice.
- Don’t use hot water pressure washers to remove snow from the field of the roof.
- Don’t block exit doors or fire exits with snow dumping or stockpiling.
