J. Lawrence Elkin, PE; Principal Engineer, Elkin Engineering & Diagnostics
Continuing Education
AIA: 1.5 LU/HSW/SD
SC Building Codes Council: 1.5 hrs
Certificates Provided
Summary
There are currently two methods for calculating gutter sizes for use with steep-sloped roofing. The methods offered by both the International Code Council (ICC) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) can trace their roots to a paper entitled Flow in Roof Gutters, by K. Hilding Beij in 1934. A recent forensic study near Charleston, South Carolina identified roof areas where gutters, though properly sized per the ICC method, were routinely overtopped by roof drainage during moderate rain events.
A review of the Beij paper revealed that the author advised about limitations in his method that are not mentioned by ICC or SMACNA. Current design practices can result in roofs that have drainage characteristics beyond the scope of the method devised by Beij.
To better understand the overtopping issues associated with the Beij method, the authors developed an experiment to measure flow rates from roof areas into gutters. Alternative gutter calculation methods are proposed that account for some of the limitations recognized by Beij.
Learning Objectives
- To learn about the three commonly used design methods for sizing gutters published in the International Plumbing Code by ICC, Architectural Sheet Metal Manual by SMACNA and Architectural Graphic Standards by the American Institute of Architects
- Two methods for calculating gutter sizes for use with steep-sloped roofing and their origins
- Discover results based on field observations, testing and analysis, how the currently published methods for selecting gutter sizes do not account for the configuration of the roof.
About Our Speaker
Larry Elkin received his both his Master of Science (1995) and Bachelor of Science (1993) degrees from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He holds active registrations as a PE in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, & South Carolina (with inactive registrations in Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.) He is also a Certified Level II Thermographer. In 2013, he founded Elkin Engineering & Diagnostics. His principal areas of practice include Thermal & Moisture Related Diagnostics, Building Structure and Envelope Analyses, Mechanical Systems Assessments, Corrosion Analysis, Hurricane/Catastrophe Assessments and Facility Condition Assessments.