How much snow can a roof hold?

According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, most residential roofs in good condition can typically support 20 pounds per square foot of snow. To help youyou gauge when the snow on your roof might approach this weight limit, consider the following guidelines:/nFresh snow: Approximately 10-12 inches of new snow is equal to about one inch of water, or roughly 5 pounds per square foot of roof space. Therefore, you could have up to 4 feet of new snow before the roof becomes stressed./nPacked snow: About 3-5 inches of old snow is equal to one inch of water, or approximately 5 lbs. per square foot of roof space. If you have more than 2 feet of snow accumulation, it could be too much for your roof to handle./nTotal accumulated weight: If you have two feet of old snow and two feet of new snow, the combined weight could reach up to 60 lbs. per square foot of roof space. This exceeds the typical snow load capacity of most roofs./nIce: Keep in mind that one inch of ice equals one foot of fresh snow.

When should I remove snow from the roofs of my buildings?

When Prylada notifies you. No more subjective visual assessments– just accurate measurements and informed decisions using specialized data.

How roof snow loads in construction are determined?

Structural live loads related to snow are influenced by several critical factors. These considerations play a crucial role in determining the appropriate snow loads for different areas:/n1. Recent ground snow information:/n○ The National Weather Service provides data on ground snow conditions. This information helps engineers assess the current snow accumulation in a specific region./n2. Roof shape and obstructions:/n○ The design of the roof, including its roofline and any obstructions (such as chimneys or vents), affects how snow accumulates. Steeper roofs tend to shed snow more effectively./n3. Roof building materials:/n○ The type of materials used in constructing the roof impacts its load-bearing capacity. Different materials have varying resistance to snow weight./n4. Roof age and maintenance frequency:/n○ Older roofs may experience wear and tear, affecting their ability to withstand snow loads. Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance./n5. Roof wind exposure:/n○ Wind patterns influence snow distribution. Windward sides of roofs tend to accumulate more snow, while leeward sides may experience less accumulation./n6. Presence of ice dams:/n○ Ice dams form at the roof’s edges due to melting and refreezing. They create barriers that hinder proper drainage, leading to additional snow weight./n7. Building application and occupancy:/n○ The purpose of the structure (residential, commercial, industrial) and the number of occupants impact the required snow load capacity./n8. Thermal properties of the building:/n○ Insulation and thermal conductivity affect snow melting rates. Proper insulation helps prevent excessive snow buildup./nBy analyzing this combination of data, engineers can accurately determine snow loads for specific regions, ensuring safe and resilient structures.

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Remote snow load monitoring

Remote flat roof snow load monitoring solution

Encountering the challenges of snow accumulation on roofs during winter? Automate snow monitoring on your building's roof with Prylada to gain control over roof load forces.

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No more dangerous manual inspections and guesswork—just accurate measurements and data-driven decisions.

Constant monitoring of snow accumulation on roofs

Monitoring snow accumulation on roofs is crucial to maintaining structural safety and preventing costly damage. In areas prone to heavy snowfall, the weight of accumulated snow can strain roofing structures, leading to stress, deformation, or even collapse. Real-time monitoring allows property owners to detect when snow loads reach critical levels, ensuring timely action, such as snow removal, to protect the integrity of the building.

An additional benefit of remote snow monitoring is ice dam prevention, which protects against leaks and water damage. By utilizing advanced technologies like the Prylada snow load monitoring system, property owners can eliminate the need for manual roof inspections, which are often time-consuming and costly. With Prylada's solution, building maintenance becomes more efficient, reducing the risk of structural damage, extending roof lifespan, and lowering repair and upkeep expenses.

Prylada solution for roof deflection and snow load determination

The Prylada components enable 24/7 automated snow accumulation monitoring with intuitive charts and SMS alarm notifications to your mobile phone.

Sensors and inclinometers

For deflection angle, density, and weight measurement. Installed on/under the roof of your building to collect precise snow load data.

Gateways

Wirelessly transfer the collected data from the sensors to a remote control center run locally or in a cloud.

Prylada Cloud

Stores, analyzes and visualizes the collected data. It also enables remote management of all connected gateways.

*(optional; an alternative to a private cloud or a local server)

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Catering to your monitoring needs

We tailor our solution to your specific environment, focusing on three key parameters:

What to measure?

How to transfer data?

How to control and notify?

What to measure?

For snow monitoring, Prylada offers 4 measurement options:

1. Measurement of the deflection angle of structures using a laser

2. Measurement of the deflection angle of structures using an inclinometer

3. Measurement of snow weight using scales

4. Measurement of snow cover height together with snow density using radar

Measurement of snow cover height together with snow density using radar
Our innovative technology of snow cover height measurement is based on the use of a special radar-type sensor. This sensor accurately determines the distance to objects, even on uneven surfaces.

How to transfer data?

Prylada provides various options for transmitting data from measurement points. Currently, we recommend wireless data transfer from monitoring points to a central gateway for maximum convenience.
However, the solution flexibility extends beyond this—our adaptable configurations allow us to customize solutions to your unique requirements. Feel free to choose the option that best aligns with your needs.

How to control and notify?

The Prylada admin panel ensures straightforward system management. With its intuitive interface, you can remotely configure operating scenarios, control connected gateways, fine-tune accuracy settings, and establish personalized notifications.
Choose your preferred method of receiving alarm alerts—whether via SMS or email messages.

Sensors we use for measuring snow accumulation on a roof

Customer’s requirements

Proposed solution

Scales

Scales are mounted on a roof
Automatic, continuous roof load measurement
Easy installation and operation
No structural work on the roof needed
Minimum effort for maintenance needed

Laser

The laser sensor is mounted at the support point of the roof structure.
High-quality measurement data in all weather conditions
Compact and weatherproof housing
Maintenance-free operation: no calibration or exchange of desiccant

Inclinometer

Deflection is measured in the roof plane.
Mounted at the support point of the roof structure (could be multiple points)
Compact and weatherproof housing
Reasonable price

Snow density sensor (radar)

Is placed on the roof
Measures elevation at multiple points
Measures snow density across multiple layers
Summarizes information to calculate the total load

Dynamic mode switching in snow load monitoring

Prylada ensures precise snow load monitoring by dynamically adjusting measurement frequency based on snow accumulation levels, helping prevent structural risks. How It Works:

Baseline monitoring (Static mode)

The system measures roof load at low frequency under normal conditions, minimizing energy consumption.

Automatic adjustment

Once snow load stabilizes or decreases, the system automatically reverts to low-frequency mode, ensuring efficient power use.

Threshold exceeded (Trigger event)

When snow accumulation reaches a predefined critical weight, a hardware-triggered switch increases measurement frequency.

High-resolution tracking (Dynamic mode)

The system performs high-frequency measurements to assess snow load changes and potential structural risks.

This hardware-level adaptive monitoring enables proactive structural safety management without excessive power drain.

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How much does snow weigh on a roof? Snow load threshold

The depth of snow on the roof is not the main indicator. Are you aware that wet snow applies greater pressure compared to powdery snow? It's crucial to consider both the thickness of accumulation and the type of snow. Additionally, factors such as roof shape and age play significant roles in risk assessment. Commercial buildings exceeding 5,000 square feet per floor and over 10 years old are especially vulnerable to potential collapse.

Snow load threshold

Roof snow load control with Prylada solution

The modular design of Prylada makes it an easy-to-implement solution. It is particularly suitable for those who currently lack predictive monitoring systems and seek a comprehensive snow safety solution. Prylada can also serve as an excellent wireless alternative to existing on-premises systems.

Locations to safeguard by Prylada:

Sports arenas: Keep stadiums safe during snowy seasons.
Public buildings: From libraries to community centers, monitor snow loads effectively.
Schools: Protect educational institutions from roof strain.
Distribution centers: Ensure smooth logistics even in wintry conditions.
Data centers: Safeguard critical infrastructure.
Warehouses: Prevent snow-related damage to goods.
Other locations: Prylada adapts to diverse environments.

What differentiates Prylada from other solutions?

Light weight and compact size of the components

Wireless communication: no extra cables to manage and secure data transfer

Convenient and easy installation, manageable by a single specialist

Integration with building management systems (BMS)

Measurement parameters scalability (air quality, temperature, and other)

Benefits of using Prylada’s roof safety solution for your buildings

Comprehensive approach

Prylada offers flexibility as either a standalone system or a complementary addition to your existing roof monitoring setup, effectively covering blind spots and enhancing overall performance.

No-code programmable scenarios

Easily customize Prylada's programmable controllers through an intuitive control panel. While scripting is available, programming snow accumulation monitoring is entirely code-free, ensuring quick setup and ease of use.

Long-term performance

Our remote snow load monitoring devices are designed for durability and require minimal maintenance, providing a cost-effective solution that ensures reliable, long-term performance.

Integration with third-party monitoring systems

Prylada’s API and standard industrial inputs/outputs make it easy to integrate with other control systems, enabling seamless data sharing and offering scalability for future upgrades.

Early detection of dangerous snow accumulations

Implementing Prylada’s snow load monitoring solution allows for early detection of hazardous snow accumulation, helping avoid costly structural damage. This proactive approach ensures compliance with building safety regulations, reducing liability for property owners and safeguarding occupants and assets.

Timely intervention for enhanced safety

By facilitating prompt snow removal, Prylada enables building owners and facility managers to prevent emergencies and maintain operational continuity. This not only improves overall safety during the winter months but also fosters a secure environment for all occupants.