Non-Penetrating Snow Retention and Fall Protection for a Heritage Landmark

Canadian project uses mounting solutions engineered to handle extreme snow loads while preserving historic integrity.

LOCATION Dawson, Yukon

INDUSTRY Institutional & Heritage

CUSTOMER Parks Canada

PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS ICC-ES | IAPMO / UES (Snow)

The Challenge

Located 265 kilometers (165 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, Dawson is subject to considerable snow loads. The courthouse required a snow retention system that could restrain snow loads of 50.5 pounds per square foot—one that would not penetrate the roof and maintain a pleasing aesthetic.

The roofline geometry is uniquely complex, featuring two different slopes, dormers and a cupola with wide seam spacing, requiring two rows of snow retention. Given this was a government building and a historical site, there were more stringent requirements for the roof project, including a higher level of engineering, documentation and professionally engineered stamped drawings.

Project Stats

Built in 1901, the Former Territorial Court House is a two-story, wood-frame building located within the Dawson Historical Complex, a designated National Historic Site in the Yukon Territory of Canada. This rare courthouse is one of only two early territorial courts remaining in Western Canada.

In 1967, it was acquired by the Canadian Parks Service. In 2023, a new roof was required and a 26-gauge, double-folded mechanical lock standing seam metal roof was selected. The project features S-5! X-Gard™ 1.0 snow retention, Fallprotec SecuRail Pro fall protection and S-5-V clamps.

5,000 sq ft

total roof area

186

X-Gard 1.0

302

S-5-V clamps

The Solution

Roofing contractor, ARCAN, selected X-Gard 1.0 by S-5! for its compatibility with the project’s standing seam roof. With unprecedented holding strength, X-Gard 1.0 is the strongest one-pipe snow guard system designed for maximum load/span conditions and reduces the risk of rooftop avalanches, preventing property damage and personal injury.

It is mechanically attached with round-point setscrews, gripping the seam securely without penetration and without damage to the panels’ protective finishes. ARCAN worked with ATBEST to provide a fall protection system with S-5-V clamps. The Fallprotec Securail Pro is a rigid, versatile horizontal safety line ideal for complex structures.

7:12

Roof slope

Zero

roof penetrations