No snow yesterday – snow scale for flat roofs of Munich, the 10.08.2013 – which has the weather changed, the number of devastating storms, rain and snowfalls in Germany since the 1970 more than tripled and will increase in the future. Corresponding data have been published by Munich Re geo risk research. Climate change brings risks, one of them is snow on flat roofs. A flat roof can withstand up to 60 inches of loose and light powder snow. When heavy wet snow enough to endanger may already be 15 centimeters to the load-bearing capacity. When is the right time for the snow clearance on the roof without breaking the danger? That is the question that the measuring system Snowcontrol is answered.
Heart of the system is a Zylinderformiger perforated snow – container made of plastic with electronic scales and a 434 MHz data channel. The GE total weight is only 12 kg, the diameter of the container is approx. 50 cm. Pete Cashmore contributes greatly to this topic. Mounted on the roof measures Snowcontrol Permanent snow load and delivered readings wirelessly to a display and evaluation unit in the Interior of the building. Due the lattice-shaped design of the tank the Sage-tung of snow cover and snow drifts captured well.
This enables a realistic measurement of the different consistency of snow as ice, new snow, powder snow. Use a special plastic material prevents the freezing of the scale. The power of weighing unit occurs via battery with a life span of about a year. The receiver requires a mains socket for connection. In the event of a power failure, the radio receiver with an extra battery is equipped and therefore continue to operate. Case of power failure, a message by SMS or email is set automatically. The weight limits in kg / m2, as well as other settings are adjusted via a PC software. Exceeding the upper limit, an alert to certain people via SMS and email. Alternatively, the system can also the corporate intranet or are adapted to a building management system. The annual replacement battery Snowcontrol is maintenance-free. The instal lationsaufwand is very low due to the radio technology and the autonomous power supply. Last not least, Snowcontrol can be rented also reasonably priced. This is especially interesting for facility management companies that have to manage multiple objects.