Peer-to-Peer Standards Exchange

 Wind Load on Rooftop Screenwalls

  • ASCE Standards
  • ASCE7-10
  • ASCE7-16
  • ASCE7-22
  • Wind and Wind Loads
Samuel Baer's profile image
Samuel Baer posted 01-30-2024 03:14 PM

What is the proper wind load for a freestanding equipment screenwall in the field of a roof (ie outside edge zones 2 or 3)? Parapet pressure does not seem pertinent as the wall is a substantial distance from the edge of the structure. The freestanding wall load methodology seems somewhat reasonable but perhaps unconservative due to the wall being located on the roof of a structure, not on the ground. 

Alternatively, can the lateral pressures for rooftop equipment be applied to the rooftop screenwall case?

Ronald Hamburger's profile image
Ronald Hamburger posted 01-31-2024 06:51 PM

An interior roof equipment screen wall can be designed for the forces in section 29.4.1, Rooftop Structures and Equipment for Buildings. This provision takes into account the elevation of the screen wall, which is the concern if using a freestanding wall load. This also answers the second part of the question, in that yes, the same forces/pressures applied to rooftop equipment can be applied to the equipment screen wall.