Presented by Philip S. Moser, P.E., Amarantha Z. Quintana-Morales, and Sean M. O’Brien, P.E., LEED AP

Join us for the first seminar in our 2018 series, hosted by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger at Atlantic Wharf in Downtown Boston.

ABOUT THE FEBRUARY SEMINAR
Falling snow and ice from buildings pose serious safety risks for the public, and can place architects, owners, and engineers in a vulnerable position for litigation claims. Complicating matters, there is little consensus in the industry on the best design strategies for mitigating the buildup and shedding of these winter hazards. This presentation will evaluate several mechanisms that enable snow and ice to accumulate on and fall from buildings. Using traditional snow retention designs for roofs as an introduction, we will focus on how snow and ice interact with projecting facade elements, and discuss how contemporary design trends and changes in climate patterns contribute to the problem. We will also review the lack of industry guidance for designing snow and ice retention systems, and discuss strategies for mitigating snow and ice issues on building facades.

After attending this seminar, participants will be able to:

Identify potential risks of falling snow and ice from buildings.
Discuss factors that contribute to snow and ice accumulation on facade elements.
Understand code requirements and industry standards, or a lack thereof, for addressing snow and ice accumulation on facade elements.
Recognize how to mitigate the risk of falling snow and ice in the design of contemporary building facades.

For those who qualify, 1.0 LU/HSW is available.

SCHEDULE
5:30–6:00 pm Registration and refreshments
6:00–7:00 pm Presentation and discussion
7:00–7:30 pm Cocktail reception

For more information and to register, visit sgh.com/about/events/addressing-snow-and-ice-hazards-building-facades