We’ve got some news you may or may not be excited to hear. Read carefully; Winter is coming. It is right around the corner. And, depending on where you are located, that could mean snow is on the way, too. Snow-loaded structures are essential to maintaining your equipment and construction site with snow on the way. The structures you use have to be able to handle the weight of the snowfall. Sure, one tiny snowflake doesn’t amount to much when it comes to weight – but as billions of snowflakes pile up, so does the importance. To protect yourself and everything under your roof, you need a snow-loaded structure you can trust before winter strikes.
Dangers of Snow on the Roof
A square foot of snow can weigh different amounts depending on its type, especially regarding snow density. The below will give you an idea of just how many pounds can expect per cubic square foot of the varying types of snow:
- Fresh, fluffy dry snow: Nearly 4 lbs
- Fresh, damp snow: Nearly 7 lbs
- Snow that has settled: Nearly 16 lbs
- Packed snow due to wind: About 23 lbs
- Heavy, wet snow: Nearly 47 lbs
- Frozen snow/Ice: About 57 lbs
Many snow storms can bring multiple feet of snowfall at one time, cause heavy winds, and potentially lead to plummeting temperatures that will turn the snow into ice. This would wreak havoc on your roof – especially if it were designed or constructed poorly. Snow doesn’t always fall directly downward. Sometimes it blows in from one side or the other.
Or, it could drift under the push of the heavy wind and accumulate more on one roof area than another. This imbalance could be devastating for the structure. Snow piled up on your roof poses a risk you don’t want to face this winter. Therefore you want to ensure you have a snow-loaded structure that you can count on – one that is well-designed and constructed to meet the needs of your local area.
How Snow Load Is Calculated
Each geographical area has different snow load requirements for buildings based on their average weather conditions. For those areas with a lot of snow, the buildings and structures will have to be able to handle its accumulation, whereas, in places without much snow, such as Texas or Florida, the snow load will not generally be an issue.
The snow load of structures is calculated by multiplying the number of feet of snow by the weight of a cubic square foot of that snow in pounds. You can use the average numbers listed above to get a general idea. Remember that this is a fundamental way to calculate load as it doesn’t consider all roofing aspects, such as its pitch, size, surface (how slippery), etc.
Get Your Snow Loaded Structure During Fall
If you leave yourself – and your business – without proper protection going into the winter, you are taking a significant risk. After all, one heavy snowfall in the dead of winter can leave you completely exposed, resulting in a substantial loss on your financial records. So now is the time to start preparing to stay ahead this winter.
Smooth Transition
When you invest in your new snow-loaded structure, you will have to move everything from the old design to the new one. And nobody will want to do this in the middle of winter due to the cold temperatures and unfavorable conditions – especially if it means rushing to beat an incoming storm. By being proactive, you get the help you need and time to ensure it is done efficiently and smoothly.
Greater Availability
There is nothing worse than waiting until the last minute for anything. Think about needing a doctor’s visit but forgetting to make it. When you finally call the office to schedule, you can’t be seen for another couple of months! Or what if you decided to take a few classes to further your degree but decided to wait until the last minute to register for them? You aren’t likely to get the lessons or the times you want. When you take the time to prep your business for the winter, you can ensure that the structure you need is available and that the crew you need to construct it is also known.
Confidence in Your Building
When you take the time to prepare ahead, you can feel confident when that first snowfall hits. You won’t have to waste your time taking extra precautions just in case or spend countless hours worrying about whether everything will be okay. Snow-loaded construction tents will give you the confidence that your equipment, machinery, and workers will stay safe in cold conditions.
Benefits of Snow-Loaded, Clearspan Structures
Are you wondering what is so special about snow-loaded structures? Clearspan buildings have been carefully designed to meet the needs of many different industries, such as storing machinery, holding retail inventory, warehousing raw materials, protecting livestock, etc. Each building is custom-designed to meet your needs for winter weather, including having the proper snow load based on where it will be erected.
You will never have to worry that the fabric roof will not be able to hold the amount of snow – mainly due to the roof’s angle, the frame’s size, the anchoring’s sturdiness, and more. Highly experienced engineers have considered all of this while designing the structures. Even more, these Clearspan structures are designed to keep everything under the roof protected and safe from extreme temperatures and precipitation – including snow.
During the winter, they allow productivity to be maintained and quality not jeopardized. These structures are designed with high-quality materials and engineered designs to ensure that everything will remain safe and secure throughout the season. The best part? There will be no loss or negative impacts on profit. And, of course, you will be able to sleep better at night knowing that the roof will safely hold the snow after a snowstorm.
