The objective of the Risk Management Series Snow Load Safety Guide is to inform building stakeholders about the risks a snow event poses to their buildings, provide them with information about preventative measures to take before the snow season, and inform them of actions that should be taken before, during, and after a snow event. Most buildings are not at risk of snow induced failure. More often than not, attempting to remove snow from a roof is more hazardous than beneficial, posing a risk to both personnel and the roofing structure. However, snow accumulation in excess of building design conditions can result in more than a temporary loss of electrical power and inaccessible roads. Buildings may be vulnerable to structural failure and possible collapse if basic preventative steps are not taken in advance of a snow event. Knowledge of the building roof framing system and proper preparation in advance of a snow event is instrumental in reducing risk to the structure. Structural failure due to roof snow loads may be linked to several possible causes, including but not limited to the following: Actual snow load significantly exceeds design snow load; Drifting and sliding snow conditions; Deficient workmanship; Insufficient operation and maintenance; Improper design; Inadequate drainage design; Insufficient design; in older buildings, insufficient design is often related to inadequate snow load design criteria in the building code in effect when the building was designed. This document is not intended to provide a comprehensive discussion of the underlying issues or forensics of snow-induced structural failure. The purpose is instead to: Inform building stakeholders of susceptible snow loading conditions; Identify potentially vulnerable roof framing systems; Outline a general methodology to monitor buildings for signs of potential failure so that steps can be taken to reduce the potential risk of snow-load-induced structural failure. FEMA P-957.

Michael O'Rourke provides an detailed and authoritative interpretation of the snow load provisions of Standard ASCE/SEI 7-16, accompanied by 35 practical design examples.

Significant Changes to Seismic Load Provisions of ASCE 7-10: An Illustrated Guide focuses on the revisions to the seismic load requirements set forth in the latest edition of the Standard for minimum design loads. Mirroring the organization of the seismic chapters in ASCE 7-10, this handy reference briefly summarizes each change to the seismic provisions that might affect actual practice or enforcement and immediately follows up with the precise wording of the change. The impact of each update is explained in clear, straightforward language accompanied by diagrams, examples, and color photographs and illustrations to enrich the reader s understanding. Significant Changes to the Seismic Load Provisions of ASCE 7-10: An Illustrated Guide translates the changes to the seismic provisions of ASCE Standard 7-10 into a form readily accessible by structural engineers, architects, contractors, building officials and inspectors, and allied professionals. S. K. Ghosh is president, Susan Dowty is vice president and Prabuddha Dasgupta is engineering manager of S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc., a seismic and building code consulting firm based in Palatine, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA. All three are active in development and interpretation of U.S. codes and standards.

Michael O'Rourke provides a detailed authoritative interpretation of the snow load provisions of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, Standard ASCE/SEI 7-05.

Michael O'Rourke provides a detailed and authoritative interpretation of the snow load provisions in Chapter 7 of Standard ASCE/SEI 7-22.

O'Rourke and Wrenn provide the only authoritative guide to the snow loading provisions of Standard ASCE 7-02, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.