Roughly speaking extensive green roofs have a substrate thickness of between 4 and 15 cm and a weight of 30 to 220 kilo per m2.
Live loads of a sedum roof.
This lightness means most buildings have a comfortable load bearing capacity that is sufficient and architects can even plan green roofs where it had not been possible before such as on lightweight metal constructions.
Where snow isn t a problem the live load can come from people working on the roof and any equipment they take on to the.
The venny green roof has shallow substrates on two types of roof the first roof is on shipping containers and is designed for a dead load of 250kg m 2 and live load of 100kg m 2.
Ground snow load might seem somewhat confusing until you read the basic premise that is identified in irc section r301 6 which states.
This issue of live load vs.
The addition of materials over the roofing waterproofing membrane system.
As noted in the draft astm standard standard guide for selection of roofing waterproofing membrane systems for vegetative green roof systems the introduction of a vegetative roof system to a new or existing structure has an effect on both the live and dead loads.
The live load on a roof is the weight of any temporary objects on the roof.
An extensive green roof or sedum roof is a roof with vegetation that is more or less self perpetuating and that can further develop and maintain itself.
Victor staley a building official in the town of brewster mass responds.