Snow Guard Guidelines
Snow guards are devices that are attached to the roof
structure in order to uniformly retain and hold snow in place on the roof area.
The snow guards need to be applied in sufficient quantity according to a
prescribed pattern in order to be effective. Snow Guards are intended to
prevent snow movement and provide for the controlled melt and breakdown of the
snow mass into smaller sections. Snow guard placement will vary from region to
region and will be influenced by roof pitch, the lengths of roof runs and roof
features. Local installation customs may not be the best guide for placement.
Additional information can be found in sheet metal and air conditioning
contractors’ national association (SMACNA) architectural sheet metal
manual. Ultimately a qualified professional should determine placement. Snow
guards should never be placed beyond the bearing wall on an extended roof
section. This can result in ice damming and cause structural damage.
Berger Bros Co. recommends that a qualified roofing
contractor be employed to install these products. Roofing professionals have
the proper equipment, knowledge and ability to complete the task in a safe and
satisfactory manner. The applicator is responsible for compliance with
regulations governing local building ordinances and safety regulations.
Safety Hazards
Roofing can be hazardous! Serious injury or fatality
can result from falls or electrocution from contacting overhead wires. Observe
ladder safety rules for load, positioning and security.
Please make sure all roof surfaces are dry and clean
before working. Avoid working in excessive heat, high wind or when there is a
threat of lightning. Never work alone.
Do not allow material to be unsecured on the roof.
Falling objects are dangerous.
Prior to application, Berger Bros Co. requires that the
installer evaluate all products in order to determine fitness for use.
Do not use Competing/Dissimilar Metals with each other!
Galvanic corrosion will occur when dissimilar metals
are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte. Water in the form of condensation,
rain or snow is an electrolyte. Water that flows over copper becomes
electronegative and will cause corrosion of aluminum or steel. Copper, brass or
stainless steel fasteners or nails must be used with copper or brass
applications. Make sure rivets are solid copper; do not use copper plated steel
rivets in copper or brass assembly. Do not use aluminum or galvanized nails to
secure any copper products. Corrosion will be more rapid in the presence of
salts such as ocean coastal areas or chlorinated water, acid rain, and polluted
industrial atmospheres. Accelerated corrosion will occur when a larger area of
an electronegative (cathode/protected) element contacts a small electropositive
(anodic/corroded) element.
Disclaimer
Berger Bros Co. will not be responsible for
misapplication of product, incorrect material or defects that were obvious at
time of installation. Any consequential damage, schedule delays, additional
labor, and or equipment rental costs will not be Berger’s responsibility.
Any warranty claim is limited to Berger’s cost of material on the product
determined to have a manufactured defect.
