Alpine SnowGuards fosters innovation through research, development and testing. We’ve witnessed countless custom designs come to fruition. They came about first on paper, then as a 3D printed model. and finally into product samples for testing. Watching the product lifecycle is a very exciting process for all of us! Seeing these solutions installed and doing what we engineered them to do is a favorite shared experience. Without further ado, let us introduce you to the new Alpine LedgeGuard.
New Snow Guard: Alpine LedgeGuard
The Alpine LedgeGuard is an innovation we launched just two weeks ago at the NFMT Facilities Management Expo in Baltimore. It was developed to mitigate the risk of falling ice and snow to busy sidewalks and streets below.
Recently, we read a report about in-cloud icing: ice build-up on ledges and sides of buildings. As it turns out, this happens even when it’s well above freezing on the ground and isn’t much different than icing on airplanes.
Designed to Withstand High Winds & Freezing Temperatures at High Elevations
This is where Alpine LedgeGuard comes in. Its low-profile and rugged design makes it capable of withstanding high winds and freezing temperatures at high elevations. Framed building envelopes (curtain wall/window wall) have become increasingly common in the building industry. They’re a way to move towards using thermally-efficient versions of the assemblies. The goal is to improve on overall energy performance of a building. While this improvement is definitely a necessity, the unexpected consequences for the formation of ice and snow on the exterior of buildings needs to be addressed.
Urban Ledges, Cornices, Parapets, Sloped Walks, Terraces & Balconies
Alpine LedgeGuard recognizes the need for a snow and ice management solution. The need exists for use on urban ledges, cornices, parapets, sloped walls, terraces and balconies.
Extensive Performance Testing
We took our designs to the experts at Microclimate Ice and Snow at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. It’s there that the LedgeGuard underwent extensive performance and large climatic chamber testing. The complete testing can be found on our website, and this condensed, time-lapse video showing the testing, speaks volumes. Take a look!
Microclimate Ice and Snow, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
New Alpine LedgeGuard Line-Up
Alpine LedgeGuard – 1.5”
Alpine LedgeGuard-1.5” is a system that utilizes 1.5” brackets that accept two square rods. End collars and couplings are available for this system, as is powder-coating (for all three systems). The low-profile (1.25” tall) provides minimal visual impact, while the system itself can withstand the elements.
Alpine LedgeGuard – 12”
Alpine LedgeGuard-12″ is the 12” version of the Alpine LedgeGuard. As such, it has the same side profile as the 1.5” version, just in a longer, 12” extruded bracket that requires no rods.
Alpine LedgeGuard – Bar
Alpine LedgeGuard-Bar is a 12-foot long bar that employs the use of our 2″ x 2″ square adapter plate. Plus, the milled countersink on the underside of the adapter plate accepts an EPDM busing, which will form a proprietary watertight compression seal when installed.
Alpine is the first snow guard manufacturer to put a ledge system into testing. Largely because of that, we are confident facilities managers, building owners, developers, builders, architects and engineers will be happy we did.
Until next time,
Brian Stearns
President & Founder, Alpine SnowGuards
We keep snow in its place
888.766.4273
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Alpine SnowGuards designs, engineers, and manufactures snow management systems from our facility in Morrisville, VT. We work closely with leading roofing contractors, engineering firms, developers, solar installers and roofing manufacturers to ensure we deliver quality products that do what we say they’ll do. Alpine SnowGuards can help a building qualify for LEED® credits.