Microclimate Ice and Snow Inc.
We are the leaders in the sliding Ice and Snow consulting industry focusing on hazard identification, design mitigation and operational management strategies!
Microclimate Ice and Snow Inc. (MI&S) is a specialty consulting firm that works with developers, owners and architects to identify ice and snow collection on buildings and structures and understand its behaviour. We provide recommendations tailored to reduce the potential for falling, sliding or wind-released ice and snow from roofs, façades, and structural elements. This service is provided for both proposed and existing buildings or structures with the key goal of preventing any injury to people or damage to property. Our services are based on a general design evaluation and vary to include design or risk assessment, mock-up testing, site reviews and much more. For our full range or solutions, visit Our Services page.
NEED AN ICE & SNOW CONSULTANT?
NEED AN ICE & SNOW CONSULTANT?
The interaction, influence and performance of a building’s design within the surrounding microclimate is complex and requires experience-based analysis and review in order to identify and mitigate potential risks and hazards related to falling, sliding or wind-released ice and snow.
Sloping or stepped façades pose complications to the collection and behavior of precipitation. A sloped facade’s horizontal vector increases the collection of ice, snow and rain water compared to a vertical façade, this is further complicated by the compounding effect of sliding snow and draining rain or melt water on the façade surface. The resulting increased accumulation and compounding volumes of snow and water intensifies the potential for falling ice or icicles.
Exterior structures constructed on rooftops, mounted to façades or situated on building sites are exposed to the elements and can pose a hazard from ice and snow accumulation and release. These structures include: spires, towers, pedestrian bridges, structural supports, wing walls, signage, artwork, monuments, vehicular bridges, etc.
A building or structure that is situated near high-density pedestrian or vehicular traffic, requires accessibility 24/7/365 or has limited operational presence to monitor and maintain the building and site, may require stringent assessment criteria or mitigation planning to maintain a safe environment for people and property.
Complex building geometries or added features on a building’s envelope can result in increased ice and snow accumulations on façade and roof surfaces. These complex geometries and their potential risk and hazards need to be identified in order to mitigate the risk during the building design stage and the identification of operational procedures for management during severe or unusual winter weather events.
High-performance characteristics or complexity within a building envelope or in its design have been shown to produce unanticipated and increased ice and snow accumulation that has the potential to be hazardous or onerous to building operations.
Façade complexities of a façade include: double façades, rain screen façades, articulated façades, façades with integrated or protruding solar shade devises, dynamic façades, etc.
CONFIDENTIALITY
We maintain a confidential approach throughout the entire consultation and reporting process.
Recommendations
Collaboration
We provide a design-assist approach, where we support the design team through all construction phases.
expertise
01
Design assessment
02
Consultation
03
Recommendations
04
Reporting
05
Winter operational guidelines
.
or falling
ice & snow