Install Instructions

IM-PR 566442 1114 (Design Manual)
96
5 Snow Melting
Radiant snow melting can be desirable for
residential, commercial and industrial applications.
Benefits of snow melting include:
• Safety (insurance)
• Solves snow removal problems in critical areas
(stairs, slopes, intersections, ramps, pavers)
• Reduced maintenance
• Prevents salt and other chemicals from
entering the building
• Extends slab life
• May utilize wasted energy
Residential:
Snow melting in residential applications has gained
widespread acceptance. A snow melting system
can alleviate shoveling, plowing, sanding and
salting. Typical application areas are driveways,
walkways, patios and steps.
Commercial:
Snow melting in commercial applications reduces
liability and improves accessibility. Clean sidewalks
will attract customers and provide safety. Excellent
choice under pavers (chemical melt aids, plowing,
shoveling are difficult due to joints). Typical
application areas are building entrances, parking
ramps and lots.
Industrial:
Snow melting in industrial applications
is used where safe, clean and easy access is
critical. Typical application areas are hospital
emergency entrances, helipads, loading docks
and building entrances.
5.1 Selecting the design criteria level
The design criteria level should be selected based
on the effectiveness that is expected from the
customer. Higher levels provide higher performance,
at the expense of higher first costs and operational
costs. The expected performance at various levels
is tied to confidence level and the snow-free area
ratio.
• Snow-Free Area Ratio (Ar) – The ratio of the
surface area where no accumulation takes
place during snowfall vs. the total area of the
surface. For example, if there is a 1,000-ft²
driveway that has approximately 500 ft² of
area with no accumulation, the ratio would be
calculated as follows:
A
r
=
500
1,000
Snow free area
Total surface area
0.5
= =
• Confidence Level – The percent of the hours
of snowfall during a typical year that the
snow-free area ratio is maintained.