SnowBreaker Isolated Spacing
SnowBreaker Isolated Area Snow Guards Spacing Guidelines
In parts of the world that receive winter precipitation, snow and ice on glossy coated metal roofing can create an extremely dangerous avalanche condition. A properly installed snow guard system can mitigate this condition. Our approach to proper placement involves an overall spacing throughout the entire roof area to keep snow and ice from shifting initially. Once frozen precipitation loses its grip on a metal roof and begins a down-hill slide, everything in its path will be destroyed. A single row of guards placed along the eave or gutter edge of the roof is not always enough protection against this dangerous condition. An evenly distributed snow load will preserve the long-term integrity of the actual structure, metal roof and snow retention system. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not always recommend but can sometimes be successful using the SnowBreaker product with the spacing guidelines below. Select your pitch below to get a general spacing guideline. All upper roof areas must have a snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. This page should only be used only as a quick reference guide for estimating isolated SnoBreaker quantities and placement on roofs with light to moderate ground snow loads. Always consult with an architect or engineer for recommended snow guard placement for your project. This spacing guideline does not account for snow shadows, drifting or unseasonable conditions. SnowBreaker snow guards are not designed to hold snow and ice, they help break it up to prevent the snow and ice from coming off at once. If your ground snow load exceeds 20PSF isolating areas of SnowBreaker is not recommended.
| 1/12 - 2/12 Pitch | 3/12 - 4/12 Pitch | 5/12 - 6-12 Pitch | 7-12 - 12-12 Pitch |
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches use one per valley. Valley width wider than 16" uses 2 per valley.
Pitch: 1/12 to 2/12 pitch.
Spacing: SnowBreakers placed every 20 feet going up the roof at an outward 45 degree angle.
Snow load: Up to 20 PSF ground snow load.
If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker, in a straight line, across the area you would like to protect. Go up the roof approximately 20 feet and repeat the straight line of guards at an outward 45 degree angle. Do not exceed 20 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 40 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 20 feet up from the bottom at an outward 45 degree angle. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not always recommend but can sometimes be successful using the SnowBreaker product.
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches use one per valley. Valley width wider than 16" uses 2 per valley.
Pitch: 3/12 up to 4/12 pitch.
Spacing: SnowBreakers placed every 15 feet going up the roof at an outward 45 degree angle.
Snow load: Up to 20 PSF ground snow load.
If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker, in a straight line, across the area you would like to protect. Go up the roof approximately 15 feet and repeat the straight line of guards at an outward 45 degree angle. Do not exceed 15 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 30 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 15 feet up from the bottom at an outward 45 degree angle. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not always recommend but can sometimes be successful using the SnowBreaker product.
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches use one per valley. Valley width wider than 16" uses 2 per valley.
Pitch: 5/12 up to 6/12 pitch .
Spacing: SnowBreakers placed every 8 feet going up the roof at an outward 45 degree angle.
Snow load: Up to 20 PSF ground snow load.
If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker, in a straight line, across the area you would like to protect. Go up the roof approximately 8 feet and repeat the straight line of guards at an outward 45 degree angle. Do not exceed 8 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 16 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 8 feet up from the bottom at an outward 45 degree angle. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not always recommend but can sometimes be successful using the SnowBreaker product.
Panel: Valley width less than 16 inches use one per valley. Valley width wider than 16" uses 2 per valley.
Pitch: 7/12 up to 12/12 pitch .
Spacing: SnowBreakers placed every 5 feet going up the roof at an outward 45 degree angle.
Snow load: Up to 20 PSF ground snow load.
If using adhesive start at 1 foot from the bottom edge (if screwing down start where the end wall meets the bottom edge) and place a SnowBreaker, in a straight line, across the area you would like to protect. Go up the roof approximately 20 feet and repeat the straight line of guards at an outward 45 degree angle. Do not exceed 6 feet vertically between rows of guards. For Example: if your roof sheets are 10 feet long, your roof would require a row at 1 foot from the bottom and at 5 feet up from the bottom at an outward 45 degree angle. When possible, always attempt to divide the roof areas into equal sections, with equal distance between rows, without exceeding the manufacturer maximum placement guidelines. All upper roof areas must have snow retention installed before installing snow guards on a lower roof. Never isolate areas of snow guards such as just over doorways or vent pipes. Isolating snow guards on partial roof sections such as just over doorways or roof vents is not always recommend but can sometimes be successful using the SnowBreaker product.
Disclaimer
This page may be used only for the purpose of developing plans, specifications and/or approval drawings for construction projects utilizing only IceBlox, Inc. manufactured or distributed products and components. It is to be used only as a quick reference for estimating snow guard quantities and placement on roofs with less than 45 PSF ground snow load.
IceBlox Inc., d.b.a SnoBlox-Snojax, referred to hereafter as IceBlox, Inc., or any subsidiary brands or companies, is not responsible for estimates or purchases resulting from the erroneous or improper use of this page or snowguardspacingtool.com.
The user shall determine the suitability of the product for its intended use and assumes all risks of its use or handling. In regards to spacing guidelines, quotations and or layouts, Iceblox, Inc. will not be held liable for incorrect material quantities not recommended on snowguardspacingtool.com and/or SnoBlox-Snojax.com
