Winter weather can be beautiful, but when it is extreme it causes severe damage to buildings. Winter storms caused $1.1 billion in insured losses in 2020 in 2021 dollars, down from $2 billion in 2019, according to Aon. 
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Snow and Wind Capacity
It is critical to understand what capabilities your metal building will have. How much snow can it hold? How much wind speed can it withstand? Roof snow loads and wind loads sound simple but there are a lot more variables. In this article,
I will equip you with the general knowledge to select the perfect building for your location.
Why are stamped engineer plans important?
When a structural engineer applies his or her stamp, he or she is guaranteeing the capabilities of your building. Engineer plans assure your building should be built to withstand local snow loads and wind loads.
How do I find my local snow load or wind load?
Snow load requirements vary by area. To find the local requirements for your area, speak with your local building inspector, township, or city to assure your building is meeting their specific requirements.
You can also reference the following resources to find your local requirements:
• Follow this link. Simply enter your zip code and it will provide you snow load and wind loads https://hazards.atcouncil.org/#/
• Snow load map https://design.medeek.com/resources/snow.html
Estimations on the density of varying accumulation types for use when calculating snow loads:
- Light Snow: 5-20 lbs./ sq. ft.
- Packed Snow: 20-40 lbs./ sq. ft.
- Packed Snow with Ice: 40-57 lbs./ sq. ft.
- Ice: 57 lbs./ sq. ft.Roof live load vs ground snow load
A roof live load refers to the temporary load your roof can withstand.
This is typically measured as pounds per square foot (LBS/SQ. FT.). Contrary to the roof live load, a ground snow load is the weight of snow on the ground surface. It is important to ensure that your building meets the correct snow load requirements to avoid hazardous consequences.
What happens if I do not meet my local snow load requirements?
If you do not verify your certified snow load meets your local requirements, you can put yourself at risks for various violations. We highly recommend assuring your building meets your local snow load requirements. Possible risks include:
• Failed inspections
• Risk of collapse under extreme pressure
• Exposing personal property to elements.
How does my steel building resist wind?
In order to certify your building for wind resistance, your builder should recommend or provide the necessary framing and anchor system for your building to meet or exceed the required wind load capacity.