With last winter in mind the Régie du bâtiment strongly exhorts landlords to have an emergency plan in case heavy snow accumulation occurs on the roofs, in order to proceed with snow clearing operations, all of this while guaranteeing the security of the occupants of their dwellings.
Here are thus some security measures to be considered during the winter season, in case snow and ice accumulate on the roofs. It is important to give special attention to snow weight, in particular on vaulted or bended roofs, especially when the snow burden is not uniformly spread over the roof.
In such circumstances one should proceed with snow clearing, prudently, and if necessary, by confiding this task to a specialized entrepreneur. One should see to it that security regulations are respected during snow clearing operations, and the landlords must be vigilant in order to guarantee that the buildings have not been subject to major structural modifications after the large amounts of snow received during previous winters.
Foretelling signs exist revealing a possible sagging of the structure. Here are a few examples: cracks that appear on internal walls; stuck or internal doors scraping against the floors; unusual cracks; warped ceilings. If such signs are numerous, one should rapidly evacuate the building and take the necessary measures to remove the snow, regardless of its quantity on the roof.
One also invites the landlords to clear gas installations from snow should there be accumulation of snow. Then there are also the balconies that should always be cleared of snow. For more information people can consult the Website of the Régie du bâtiment at www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca .