Snow collection area?
Snow collection area?
(OP)
We are looking into a building that is on a rather small sloped site. Parking for the building is difficult therefore there is a proposal to put the parking on the roof of the building. The building is located an area of the country that receives snow.
The question is in regards to snow collection areas (where the snow is pushed by plows). Is there a code provision that tells you how much snow you can expect in these areas? I haven't really found anything yet, the little information I have found just states that consideration should be given for such areas
The question is in regards to snow collection areas (where the snow is pushed by plows). Is there a code provision that tells you how much snow you can expect in these areas? I haven't really found anything yet, the little information I have found just states that consideration should be given for such areas






RE: Snow collection area?
I used to work at night plowing snow. We'd pile it as high as we could anywhere we could put it during bad snows. The piles of snow would be 10' tall and sometimes soaking wet.
RE: Snow collection area?
RE: Snow collection area?
RE: Snow collection area?
1) What is the total design weight of snow on the parking area.
2) What is the designated dump area for the snow.
The above could give you a starting point for deck load. In addition to the above I would consider:
3) What is the maximum height that they can plow the snow.
4) Given the compressed thick snow it will not melt as much between snows, so how much accumulation of snow could you see.
Where I live there are code provisions requiring the posting of a snow removal plan for the top level of parking garages. Along with this the structure must accommodate the removal plan and snow storage. I have not had to design a parking garage, but I could see myself following the above logic and adding factors until I became comfortable.
RE: Snow collection area?
I do agree with your approach but I'm not sure I would ever be comfortable pinning down an exact number. Obviously to be conservative I could use the density of water for the density of snow (62.4pcf). This would account for the melting/freezing cycles in-between snow storms. This assumption may not be valid if you consider them applying sand to help with traction.
This is very preliminary at the moment. We don't even know where the collection areas will be. I'm just trying to get ahead just in case we get the job.
RE: Snow collection area?
RE: Snow collection area?
RE: Snow collection area?
You are correct. They will have to plow the snow into a designated area and more than likely loose a few parking spaces.
I take it you have never bee in the north after it snows. Sometimes the snow is piled 20' high (depending on what machinery they are using). Obviously in this instance there is going to be a limit.
Unfortunately the required loading for a parking area (for passenger cars only) is 40-50 psf. Which is about with the roof snow load is before you consider plowing.
RE: Snow collection area?
I have seen municipalities turn to this when bad winters lead to giant snow pile-ups.
Sounds far-fetched, but might save money when compared to a floor with a 1000 psf live design load
RE: Snow collection area?
DaveAtkins
RE: Snow collection area?
so you could use 50 lb/sqft over the roof, concentrated into a smaller area, and reinforce the roof.
i also thought about a heated roof (an anti-snow measure) ... maybe pray for global warming !
RE: Snow collection area?
I thought about heating the roof as well.... however, I don't think the "tree huggers" would like that to much.
Interestingly enough, we are currently faced with an energy code change in the jurisdiction as well. We need to provide an R30insulation under the parking deck. This only adds to the problem.
RE: Snow collection area?
Alternately, I have also seen a small front end loader used to pick up the snow and dump it over the parapet, to ground level. The snow pile is then pushed/trucked away, as required.
I have only seen 1 or 2 snow melters in place, very few relative to the other options above.
I have yet to review a set of structural drawing for an elevated parking deck that notes additional design live loads for the piling of snow. That certainly doesn't mean they don't exist, however, it may be an indication that it is preferable to allow for the removal of the snow, rather than design for additional capacity. I can think of several situations where the removal of snow may not be practical.
skiisandbikes