Snow removal on roofs using Tensio intelligent sensors at Agropur: “We can remove snow in the right places at the right times”

A factory, witness of six decades of industrial history. A place where Coca-Cola bottles gave way to milk cartons, following the acquisition by Purdel Dairy Cooperative in 1983. These transformations affected the structure of the building, which was not designed for today's rain-on-snow conditions. Before Tensio, the Agropur factory in Quebec City's Limoilou neighborhood faced a challenge: uncertainty related to the weight of snow on the building's structure. How could the accumulated snow, result of successive expansions and a changed roof geometry, be managed?

Overlaying structures presenting a major challenge

The surface area of the factory's roofs has doubled since the 1980s. Also, the addition of several silos has created areas where the wind is obstructed, resulting in uneven snow accumulations. The original roofs built in the Coca-Cola era are high, which favors wind-blown snow. However, the difference in elevation with the low roofs and the sections adjacent to the silos pose additional challenges for snow removal.

Prior to the installation of Tensio's intelligent sensors, Agropur used a method employing stakes to assess snow height. However, this did not take into account the formation of ice layers under the snow, nor the variability of snow weight. This presented a significant risk to the safety of the building.

Less snow and more savings

The arrival of Tensio's smart sensors has truly revolutionized Agropur's operations. By moving from a reactive to a predictive approach, the company has successfully mastered the challenges posed by snow and ice on the roof. Thanks to the data provided by the sensors, Agropur has been able to optimize its interventions, reduce its expenses, which amounted to up to $30,000 per snow removal, and increase autonomy. The manager even uses a snow blower strategically left on site to perform the snow removal himself when the application alerts him!

Improved management and enhanced safety

“Before we got on board with Tensio, we were uncertain about the amount of snow and ice on our roofs, resulting in frequent and unnecessary snow removal. Now, thanks to the data provided by the sensors, we've optimized operations. We can now clear snow at the right time, in the right places, which avoids unnecessary expenses, and ensures the safety of our facilities and staff.”

- Martin Deschênes, Maintenance Manager at Agropur.

Tensio sensors have given Agropur peace of mind. By providing reliable forecasts and real-time alerts, Tensio sensors have allowed the company to evolve from reactive management to a proactive approach to safety.