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Quebec winters bring their share of challenges, especially with snow and ice accumulating on the roofs of industrial buildings. Excessive weight on roofs can not only compromise the structural integrity of buildings, but also represents a risk for people working or passing nearby. Rigorous roof maintenance is therefore essential to prevent damage and ensure everyone's safety. This article explores why snow removal from industrial roofs is crucial, the best practices to carry it out safely and efficiently, and the precautions to take to minimize risks.
Best practices for efficient and safe snow removal
For safe and efficient snow removal, it's important to follow best practices. First of all, it's best to climb onto a roof only when absolutely necessary, such as when the weight of the snow becomes too great for the roof. The use of a lifting device is preferred when the ground layout allows it. For all other situations, protective methods such as guardrails, warning lines or the use of harnesses and fall-arrest links must be put in place.
It is recommended to use appropriate shovels, such as roof rakes, to clear snow from your roof and minimize effort. Before ascending onto the roof, a thorough inspection of the area is essential to identify any obstacles hidden by the snow, such as skylights or ventilation equipment, to prevent falls or damage. Worker safety is important: warm clothing, crampons to prevent slipping, and flags to mark work areas are necessary. Gradual and uniform snow removal is crucial to prevent accidents. It is important to proceed with gradual and uniform snow removal to prevent any incidents. Accumulating snow in one spot creates an imbalance of load on the roof, potentially leading to deformation or collapse of certain parts of the building. Numerous cases have been reported where a snow accumulation on a single section caused a structural collapse due to the weight of the snow. It is necessary to plan where the snow will be deposited on the ground, by delimiting the area and installing signs to prevent accidents involving passersby. The use of snow blowers, when they can be safely mounted on the roof, can accelerate snow removal while reducing the difficulty of the task.
Risks associated with snow accumulation on roofs
Excessive snow accumulation not only jeopardizes the integrity of buildings, but also poses an immediate danger to pedestrians and employees in and around buildings. It can even lead to collapses, resulting in shutdowns and considerable costs. It is therefore essential to clear snow from roofs efficiently, ideally according to the weight of the snow and ice rather than the height of the snow.
Yes, roofs are designed to withstand the typical snow loads of winters in their different regions, but at the moment when they are built. Winters change, and so does our understanding of snow load accumulations, which has greatly evolved in recent decades, enabling us today to better design buildings to cope with these loads. Extra precautions are needed.
To avoid any incidents, we recommend consulting a structural engineer who can assess whether the roof is under abnormal stress due to overloading, or adopting an intelligent preventive maintenance solution for snow-covered roofs like the one Tensio offers. This is all the more crucial if major modifications have been made to the building, as these may have influenced the way snow accumulates. This is because changes in elevation on the roof create areas where snow can accumulate further. So be vigilant, and take the necessary steps to protect your infrastructure and ensure everyone's safety.
In conclusion, a well-thought-out action plan for snow removal on industrial roofs is essential to ensure the safety of buildings and people. Adopting safe practices, remaining vigilant in the face of accumulations and equipping yourself with an autonomous roof monitoring solution will help prevent the risk of collapse and protect your infrastructure. Have a good winter!
