This is one of those things that was created in the NEHRP Provisions, adopted in the ASCE 7, and then was put into the IBC. It's original intent is contained in NEHRP. And the NEHRP has a commentary to better explain the intent.
FEMA 450, Provisions Secton 1.5.1.4
"4. In areas where the design flat roof snow load does not exceed 30 pounds per
square foot, the effective snow load is permitted to be taken as zero. In areas
where the design snow load is greater than 30 pounds per square foot and where
siting and load duration conditions warrant and where approved by the authority
having jurisdiction, the effective snow load is permitted to be reduced to not less
than 20 percent of the design snow load."
FEMA 450, Commentary Secton 1.5.1.4 :
"The seismic weight
W is the total weight of the building and that part of the service load that mightreasonably be expected to be attached to the building at the time of an earthquake. It includes
permanent and movable partitions and permanent equipment such as mechanical and electrical
equipment, piping, and ceilings. The normal human live load is taken to be negligibly small in its
contribution to the seismic lateral forces. Buildings designed for storage or warehouse usage should
have at least 25 percent of the design floor live load included in the weight,
W. Snow loads up to 30 psf (1400 Pa) are not considered. Freshly fallen snow would have little effect on the lateral force in anearthquake; however, ice loading would be more or less firmly attached to the roof of the building and
would contribute significantly to the inertia force. For this reason, the effective snow load is taken as
the full snow load for those regions where the snow load exceeds 30 psf with the proviso that the local
authority having jurisdiction may allow the snow load to be reduced up to 80 percent. The question of
how much snow load should be included in
W is really a question of how much ice buildup or snowentrapment can be expected for the roof configuration or site topography, and this is a question best left to the discretion of the local authority having jurisdiction."
Regards,
Harold Sprague
From: dennis.wish@verizon.net
To: seaint@seaint.org
Subject: ASCE 7-05 Section 12.14.8.1 (#4) clarification needed
Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:56:22 -0700
I need an interpretation to note number 4 of ASCE 7-05 Section 12.14.8.1 which states:
"Where the flat roof snow load, Pf, exceeds 30 psf (1.44 kN/m^2), 20 percent of the uniform design snow load, regardless of actual roof slope."
This seems to conflict with itself. My first interpretation is that if the snow load for a flat roof (say ¼" in 1-foot) slope or a shed roof exceeds 30 psf then you would add 20% or 6 psf to the roof dead load. However, the last section of the statement reads "regardless of actual roof slope" in which case I would interpret the 20% of the Snow Load exceeding 30-psf to be added to any sloped roof.
How do others interpret this statement. If the roof is flat should 20% of any Snow Load be considered whereas only 20% of the Snow load exceeding 30-psf be used if the roof is pitched?
Dennis S. Wish, PE
Dennis S. Wish, PE
California Professional Engineer
Structural Engineering Consultant
La Quinta, CA 92253
dennis.wish@verizon.net
http://structuralist.wordpress.com
http://www.structuralist.net
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