Sliding Snow Load (ASCE 7)

[MFDJ9]

I am trying to to design two sloping skylight(10:12 and 4:12 pitch) on either side of the the building that is 11' below a hipped roof(6:12 pitch). According to ASCE 7, I am to consider snow drift on top of the balanced snow load and also sliding snow. My problem is that ASCE 7 doesn't state anywhere how I'am supposed to determine how wide the sliding snow load is. According to ASCE 7, I am to use the full balanced snow load of the upper roof and no reduction should be taken due to the 6:12 pitch of the gable roof. That means that I have to impose 2 X balanced snow load plus the drift from the upper roof. Doesn't this seem a lot(conservative)? Any comments?

 

[ERV]

MFDJ9,

You may want to have a look at the commentary, ASCE7-98 pages 285 & 286, ASCE7-02 pages 319 & 320.