Prince George Coliseum

This large arena had been structurally modified a few years after being built. Topside was asked if there was a way to address these problems in the re-roofing.

This large arena roof had been modified a few years after being built to increase the snow load carrying ability. The exterior heavy steel truss had been conducting cold though every point load to the wood frame structure ever since. Other changes to the ventilation and airflow of this public building had caused hoar frost to collect on the underside of the wood deck during much of the winter. The roof had about R5 insulation directly below the very old tar and gravel roof. Topside was asked if there was a way to address these problems in the re-roofing.

Working closely with an architect, the team designed a much more robust roof system with R30 over the whole roof. To address the cold conduction of the RSS steel, the posts were insulated both inside and out with specialized products, in a detailed execution that prevented single line thermal stress on the heavy steel.

Two years later and the roof has not leaked and there have been no reports of frost anywhere.