Draining Low-Sloped Roof Structures

Rain issues for the Structural Engineer

John Lawson PE, SE
NCSEA Webinar
March 16, 2017

Credit: Don Kelson

Copyright © 2001. Los Angeles Times
Reprinted with Permission
Learning Objectives
• Be able to explain the interdisciplinary 
responsibilities for roof drainage.
• Learn how to avoid excessive rain‐induced 
water weight.
• Recognize the overlap of various model code 
provisions.
• How to reduce the Structural Engineer’s 
liability risk.
Is roof drainage a problem?

Roofing issues at one time or another have been:
#1 source of litigation in construction
#1 source of litigation for architects
#1 source of insurance losses
#1 source of building maintenance cost

Source: Patterson, S. L., and Mehta, M., 2010, “Life Safety Issues in Roof
Design,” Proceedings of the RCI 25th International Convention, Raleigh, NC.
Outline of Presentation
– Ponding and Minimum Roof Slope
– Interdisciplinary Roles for Roof Drainage Design
• Case Study of collapse
– Design Requirements – Whose role to design?
• 2015 IBC
• ASCE 7‐10
• 2015 IPC
• 2015 UPC
– Scupper Design Difficulties – Case Study
– Rainfall Intensities – Case Study
Advocate minimum slope
• Low‐sloped roofs minimize building height

and efficiently maximize a 
building’s usable volume
Advocate minimum slope
• Positive drainage necessary

12”
¼”

¼” per foot overall slope necessary;

otherwise, check ponding instability
-ASCE 7-10 Sec. 8.4
Dead-flat roofs
• Ponding Instability

Flat Roof Condition

Dead-flat roofs
• Ponding Instability

Flat Roof Condition

Dead-flat roofs
• Ponding Instability

Flat Roof Condition

Progressive Deflection
Dead-flat roofs
• Ponding Instability

Progressive Deflection
Dead-flat roofs
• Ponding Instability
 Dead-flat roofs

Credit: roofersview.blogspot.com
Dead-flat roofs
• Checking ponding instability – ASCE 7‐10 § 8.4
– Evaluate relative stiffnesses of primary and 
secondary framing members
• Steel Roof System Approach
– AISC 360‐10, Appendix 2
• Wood Roof System Approach
– AF&PA LRFD Standard (1996), Appendix A3
– AITC Timber Manual‐ Simplified approach
• Ensure 1” of water does not lead to more than ½” of 
member deflection, with certain restrictions.
 Dead-flat roofs

Credit: John Lawson SE

 Dead-flat roofs

Credit: google.com
 Dead-flat roofs

Credit: google.com
 Dead-flat roofs

Credit: J.V. Heidler Co.

Advocate minimum slope
• Advocate for sufficient positive roof slope
– Low‐sloped flat roofs vs. dead flat
– Slope is often within the architect’s scope of work.
– How much is appropriate?
Advocate minimum slope

= L/240 deflection

Credit: Stephen Patterson

Advocate minimum slope

Credit: Stephen Patterson

Ponding Instability Failure of Steel Roof System

Advocate minimum slope
• Advocate for positive drainage
– Globally and locally

General roof slope

Reverse slope collects water

Deflected shape

Architect’s Objective: Minimize Flat Spots

Minimize flat spots
• No Flat Spots
– Very Conservative approach to mitigate ponding 
instability
• For Safety
– Protects roofing membrane
• For Durability
Reverse slope collects water
 Minimize flat spots

Positive overall slope

Reverse slope collects water

Credit: Frank Naso

Minimize flat spots
• Detrimental effects of standing water
– Deterioration of the roof membrane
– Fungal growth
– Vegetation growth
– Debris accumulation
– Tensile splitting of water weakened roof felts
– Voiding of manufacturer’s warranties?
Minimize flat spots
• Roofing Warranties
– Positive drainage required
– NRCA Roofing Manual definition:

“The criterion for judging proper slope for

drainage is that there be no ponding water
on the roof 48 hours after a rain during
conditions conducive to drying.”

Some manufacturer’s reduce the

time frame down to 24 hours!
 Minimize flat spots

Credit: Infinity Roofing

Minimize flat spots
• Provide adequate member stiffness
General roof slope
12”
F”

Deflected shape θ

The angle of curvature at

member end θ, should not
exceed angle of roof slope
Minimize flat spots
• Limit dead‐load deflection
L
Dead 
38.4
F (Derivation in 2012 SEAOC Convention Proceedings)

1/4" per foot slope 1/8" per foot slope

L L
 Dead   Dead 
38.4 38.4
0.25 0.125
L L
 Dead   Dead 
154 307
Minimize flat spots
• Include effects of long‐term creep Kcr
L
Dead 
38.4 K cr
F (Derivation in 2012 SEAOC Convention Proceedings)

For seasoned lumber, Kcr = 1.5

1/4" per foot slope 1/8" per foot slope
L L
 Dead   Dead 
38.4(1.5) 38.4(1.5)
0.25 0.125
L L
 Dead   Dead 
230 461
Minimize flat spots
• Include effects of straightness tolerance
– Steel members:
• 1/8” maximum departure from a straight line for every 
10‐ft of member length (ASTM A6)
L
960

L L
Dead  
38.4 960
F
Minimize flat spots
• Include effects of straightness tolerances
L L
Dead  
38.4 960
F (Derivation in 2012 SEAOC Convention Proceedings)

For steel member straightness tolerances

1/4" per foot slope 1/8" per foot slope
L L L L
 Dead    Dead  
38.4 960 38.4 960
0.25 0.125
L L
 Dead   Dead 
183 451
Wood members? Specify “Install with crown up”
Minimize flat spots
• Include effects of E variability
– Steel has nearly constant E = 29000 ksi.
Thus, not an issue for steel

– Wood material stiffness is quite variable
Thus, an issue for wood framing
• For ponding instability concerns use E0.05
– Lower fifth percentile (95% confidence)

E 0.05  E 1  1.645 COVE 

E  average modulus of elasticity
COVE  coefficient of variation for E
 0.25 for visually graded sawn lumber
 0.10 for glue - laminated timbers
Minimize flat spots
• Include effects of E variability
L
Dead 
E
38.4 K cr
E 0.05 F (Derivation in 2012 SEAOC Convention Proceedings)
For seasoned visually graded sawn lumber, Kcr = 1.5
(Effects of long-term creep and E variability combined)

1/4" per foot slope 1/8" per foot slope

L L
 Dead   Dead 
391 782
Very conservative approach simply to prevent standing water,
or where closely spaced repetitive members occur.
Minimize flat spots
• Some standing water is acceptable
– Amount to evaporate within 48 hours
– Positive drainage tolerances account for 
• Construction / Fit‐up tolerances
• Roofing thickness variability
• Rigid insulation variability
• Other minor design and material variations
What causes roofs
with adequate slope
to collapse?
 Case Study:
Computer Laptop Mfr., Irvine, CA

Credit: google.com
Credit: google.com
 Vented Skylight

Collapse Area

Credit: google.com
 Parapet

18”

4x14
Wood
Beam
Roof Drain
Clogged
Concrete
Wall
Credit: shutterstock.com #1298391
Credit: showalterroofing.com
Credit: google.com
Prevailing Winds
 Secondary Primary
(emergency) Drain
Drain

Credit: John Lawson SE

Parapet

4x14
Wood 
Roof Drain Beam
Clogged

Concrete 
Wall
 Secondary
(emergency)
Scupper

Primary Drain
Credit: CarsonDunlop.com
Credit: google.com
 Unappealing
downspouts
Ugly wall stains
at scupper
Credit: John Lawson SE
Parapet

4x14
Wood
Roof Drain Beam

Concrete
Wall
Building Code Structural Engineer?

• ASCE 7‐10 §8.4
– Engineer to design for water load and ponding 
instability if either
• Less than ¼” per foot slope
• Water accumulates if primary drainage is blocked
• Primary Cause
– Leaves clogging drains
Tenant? Maintenance Service ? Landscape Architect?

• Contributing Causes?
– Lack for scuppers? Architect? City?
– Restrictive strainers? Plumbing/Mechanical?
– Deflecting roof? Structural Engineer?
– Lumber defect? Contractor?
– Inadequate structural design? Structural Engineer?
 Many states adopt a version of 

“Joint & Several Liability”

– A disproportionate share of economic damages 
may be collected from any partially responsible 
party, then that party must try to collect from 
other responsible parties.
A Structural Engineer’s 
Financial Exposure is maybe 
greater than you thought…
 Most common cause of roof collapse is
Credit: Don Kelson
excessive water accumulation at the drain Copyright © 2001. Los Angeles Times
Reprinted with Permission
Credit: Phil Dregger PE
Credit: John Sasaki KTVU
Credit: Jason Getz
Credit: Harry Lynch
Credit: Dee Rasmussen
Credit: Jesse Mendoza
Credit: Jesse Mendoza
Credit: Jesse Mendoza
Credit: Karen Quincy
 Typically done by the
Drainage design process:
architect and/or
1. Estimate rainfall intensity plumbing consultant
2. Estimate water flow to drains
3. Size drain pipes and/or scuppers for flow
‐ Flow depends upon water head height

Sloped roof surface

Design for water head

Sloped roof surface

• Often 6‐inches or more of water weight is 
necessary for drainage systems to properly 
function. (more than 30 psf)
• Are roof structures usually designed for this?
Design for water head
• Whose design responsibility is it to ensure that 
rain loads do not overload the roof structure?
– 2015 IBC
• “When scuppers are used for secondary (emergency 
overflow) roof drainage, the quantity, size, location and 
inlet elevation of the scuppers shall be sized to prevent 
the depth of ponding water from exceeding that for 
which the roof was designed….”
Sounds like the drainage design follows
after the structural design
Plumber Consultant or Architect?
Design for water head
• Whose responsibility? Plumber?
– 2015 IPC and 2015 UPC
• Secondary drainage system “shall be sized to prevent 
the depth of ponding water from exceeding that for 
which the roof was designed….” ‐ 2015 IPC & UPC

• “The location and sizing of drains and gutters shall be 
coordinated with the structural design….” ‐ 2015 UPC
• “The maximum allowable level of water on the roof 
should be obtained from the registered design 
professional, based on the design of the roof.”
How often does ‐ 2015 UPC Appendix D
this happen?
• Whose responsibility?
– 2015 IBC Sec. 1611.1 (2015 IPC Sec. 1101.7 similar)
• “Design rain loads. Each portion of the roof shall be 
designed to sustain the load of rainwater that will 
accumulate on it if the primary drainage system for that 
portion is blocked plus the uniform load caused by 
water that rises above the inlet of the secondary 
drainage system at its design flow.”
Structural Engineer?

“Design team coordination is particularly

important when establishing rain loads”
-ASCE 7-10 Commentary
Case Study:
Warehouse, Santa Maria, CA
 Santa Maria = 1.5”/hr
• Estimating rainfall rate:
– 1 hour rate for a 100 year storm
• 2015 IBC Figure 1611.1 Maps 
Santa Maria, California = 1.5 inches/hour
Santa Maria, California = 1.5 inches/hour
Ridge

Ridge
21,800 sf
Design
this drain
• Estimate water flow required “q” (gal/min)
q = Rainfall    x   drain’s tributary area
in 1ft 7.48gal 1hr
q  1.5   3
  21,800 ft 2

hr 12in ft 60 min

q  340 gallons per min

 • Primary and secondary drainage are both 
designed for “q”
Secondary scupper inlets
are usually 2-inches Secondary
above the roof surface.

Santa Maria Building, Primary

actually 3.5-inches
• Required water head height for flow

Inlet height = 3.5 in.

Sloped roof surface
 • Calculate water head height

Channel type
weir analysis dh
3½”
q  3.0b  0.2d h d h
3 b
2

q  flow rate (gpm)

b  width (inches)
d h  depth of head (inches)
• Calculate water head height

Channel type
weir analysis
6” dh
3½”
340  3.011"0.2d h d h
3 11”
2

2015 IBC Eq. 16-36

d h  5.05" Rain Load R (psf):
d S  3.5" R  5.2d S  d h 
R  5.28.55  44 psf
Greater than 20 psf roof live
load. Governs the design!
• Resize scupper to limit R ≤ 20 psf

20 psf  4" of water

0.5" of head d h at secondary scupper inlet
Head is too small to be practical.

½“
3½”
b = Not practical (26.7-ft)
• Resize scupper to limit R ≤ 20 psf
20 psf  4" of water Assume a more typical
2” inlet elevation

2" of head d h at secondaryscupper inlet

Find the required scupper width b :
q  3.0b  0.2d h d h
3
2 b  41"
2”
2”
b = ???
Credit: John Lawson SE
A Compromise
• Design for 6” of water near drain
31 psf  6" inches of water
4" of head d h at secondary scupper inlet
b  15"

4”
2”
b = 15”
A Compromise
• Possible language on drawings
Roof Design Loads
Live Load = 20 psf (reducible)
Rain Load = A maximum of 6” of water weight
above the roof surface at the drainage low points.

This provides the plumber/architect a 4-inch head

for water flow at the overflow scupper which
provides reasonable scupper sizes.
Engineer designs framing in immediate
vicinity for R = 31 psf
Santa Maria, California = 1.5 inches/hour

Ridge

Up to 44 psf
Rain loading
required

Ridge
21,800 sf
Design
this drain

December 11, 2014 between 10:21 – 11:21pm (1 hour)

1.48 inches of rainfall
 Roof
Collapse

December 11, 2014 between 10:21 – 11:21pm (1 hour)

1.48 inches of rainfall
 Girder

Girder

Girder

Credit: John Lawson

Credit: Michael Parolini
Credit: Michael Parolini
 Roof
Collapse

December
December 11,
11, 2014
2014 between
between 10:21
10:31 –– 11:21pm
10:36pm (1
(5 hour)
min)
2.130.18
1.48
in/hrinches
of rainfall
of rainfall
intensity
• What should duration of rainfall intensity be?
IBC, IPC, UPC Codes currently 1 hour.

• Time of Concentration tc
– The response of a watershed to a rain event.
– Time it takes for water to flow from the most 
remote point to the concentration point.

For ¼” per foot slopes, traveling 400‐ft across a 
built‐up roof cap‐sheet, 
5 minutes seems reasonable.
• Estimate water flow required “q” (gal/min)
q = Rainfall    x   drain’s tributary area
in 1ft 7.48gal 1hr
q  2.13   3
  21,800 ft 2

hr 12in ft 60 min

q  482 gallons per min

• Calculate water head height

Channel type dh
weir analysis
6”
3½”
482  3.011"0.2d h d h
3 11”
2

2015 IBC Eq. 16-36

d h  6.5" Rain Load R (psf):
d S  3.5" R  5.2d S  d h 
R  5.210"  52 psf
Greater than 20 psf roof live
load. Governs the design!
• Estimating rainfall rate:
– 1 hour rate for a 100 year storm
• 2015 IBC Figure 1611.1 Maps (1961 & 1977)
• 2015 IPC Figure 1106.1 Maps (1961 & 1977)
• 2015 UPC Appendix D City Listings (1961)

• NOAA Atlas 14 Interactive Maps (2004+)
– ½” to 3½” of rainfall in California
 Rain Intensity Maps

Santa Maria

http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov
 Rain Intensity Maps
Precipitation Depth Frequency Estimates
(inches/hour)

http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov
• Summary
1. Roof drainage design is Interdisciplinary

2. Design requirements are spread among multiple 
standards:
2015 IBC, ASCE 7‐10, 2015 IPC, 2015 UPC

3. Advocate a minimum roof slope.

4. Vicinity of scuppers / drains need some water load 
consideration by the engineer.

5. Additional consideration may be needed as to an 
appropriate duration of rainfall intensity.
Thank You!

Questions?