Roof Snow-Ice falling 1

[baw1]

I am working on a project well into construction where a 500,000 gallon tank holding water some 70 feet tall with an alumnium dome roof has had some ice/snow shedding issues. The footprint around the tank is very compact and there has been some insulation on piping that has been damaged. From talking with the vendor the dome is efficiently designed for the ground snow load of 20 psf, from ASCE 7-05.
My question is this- are there any code or recommended practice requirements for holding snow and ice on a roof? I have even branched over to the IBC building codes where you would think there would be requirements, but there are not any that I can find.(IBC 2006- IBC2009) It is too late now,and I think the only viable solution are heat cables on the edge of the tank. Just wanted to see if we missed something that the code(s) required.

What are the best practices for this situation? I am thinking low pitch cone roof with handail on perimeter and add ice cables if you need them after a time.

 

[IFRs]

In very high snow areas (Alaska, etc) the shell appurtenances are protected from falling ice and snow with steel baffles. It is probably a bad idea to create a blockage which might encourage snow drifting and overloading the tank roof.

 

[fegenbush]

I agree with IFRs. Parapets or similar items make for unhappy roofs.

 

[baw1]

Thank you for the feedback.