TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

Rev. 12, Date 10.12.2013

O.M. SNOW NETS

TRIANGULAR NET - SNOW SUPPORTING STRUCTURES

NEW: BAFU OMOLOGATION!!!

OM snow nets have been certified by the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanches of DAVOS, approved by the
Federal Expert Commission on Avalanches and Rockfall
(EKLS) and have obtained the homologation of the Federal
Office for the Environment (BAFU-FOEN) in March 2009

The purpose of snow nets is to prevent avalanches being triggered, or

at least to prevent snow movements occurring that could lead to damage. The snow supporting structures must be installed in the avalanche starting zone.
Technical Characteristics
The structure is modular and elastic, and is composed of the following
main units:
a. supporting structure: consists of triangular panels made of steel
nets and wires. There are two types of net panels: one with a
horizontal base that sits on the ground and a summit that runs
perpendicular (type A panel). The other has its summit on the
ground with a horizontal base above them (type B panel). The
dimensions for each panel vary and depend on the N and Dk
values.
b. support structure: consists of steel tubular struts, bound to the
base on the ground by an omnidirectional ball joint and at the
summit by triangular net panels and a downslope brace.
c. structure and attachment: consists of steel wires distributed to
transfer the strain from the supporting structure and transfer it to
the ground by means of an anchoring system.
d. anchoring system and foundation: transfer to the ground the
strain transmitted from the supporting structure, support, and
attachment, and is constituted by upslope and downslope anchors a U-bolt with double spiral cable or by micro-piles or plates
or concrete plinth at the foundation of the struts.
The components of the snow net can be assembled in extreme situations. The snow nets were studied, produced, and commercialized
through a quality system of UNI EN ISO 9001.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Standard and norm references

Specific directive:
- Defense structures in avalanche starting zones. Technical
guideline as an aid to enforcement 2007 edition emanating
from FOEN Federal Office for the Environment and WSL SLF
Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in
Davos (Switzerland).
Technical standards for materials used:
- EN 10025 Products hot-laminated in steel not for structural use
provision of technical conditions
- EN ISO 1461 Zinc coating by hot emersion on iron and
steel products Specification of proven methods.
- EN 10244-2 Steel wires and wire products. Non ferrous
metallic coatings on steel wire.. Zinc or zinc alloy coatings
- EN 12385-4 Steel wire ropesSafety. Stranded ropes for
general lifting applications
- EN 12385-10 Steel wire ropesSafety. Spiral ropes for general structural applications
- EUROCODE 3 Design of steel structure

Figure 3

Maccaferri reserves the right to amend product specifications without notice and specifiers are
requested to check as to the validity of the specifications they are using.

Standard calculations parameters

The triangular snow nets built by Officine Maccaferri have been built
according to the Defense structures in avalanche starting zones.
Technical guideline as an aid to enforcement 2007 edition emanating from FOEN Federal Office for the Environment and WSL SLF
Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos
(Switzerland).
In particular, the Maccaferri snow nets were calculated using the following standard parameters:
- Terrain slope in avalanche starting zone: 45
- Altitude factor fc = 1,1 corresponding to a 2000 m m.s.l.
- Thickness of snow in avalanche starting zone: Dk (2,5 m 3,0
m 3,5 m 4,0 m)
- Glide factor in avalanche starting zone: N (2,5 3,2)
The assumed standard parameters for the calculations cover the vast
majority of concrete occurrences. Maccaferri is available to analyze
specific cases falling outside of these standard parameters, should the
values exceed those listed above.
The current eight standard models of Maccaferri snow nets are:

Effective height
of snow net

Glide factor

Distance between
struts

Dk

INT

(m)

(-)
2,5
3,2
2,5
3,2
2,5
3,2
2,5
3,2

(m)

2,5
3,0
3,5
4,0

4,0

3,5

Table 1

TRIANGULAR SNOW NET

CONNECTING ROPES

PIN TO FIX THE HEIGHT

UPSLOPE SPIRAL ANCHOR

Dk = 2,5 m
Dk = 2,5 m
Dk = 3,0 m
Dk = 3,0 m
Dk = 3,5 m
Dk = 3,5 m
Dk = 4,0 m
Dk = 4,0 m

N = 2,5
N = 3,2
N = 2,5
N = 3,2
N = 2,5
N = 3,2
N = 2,5
N = 3,2

fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1
fc = 1,1

y = 45
y = 45
y = 45
y = 45
y = 45
y = 45
y = 45
y = 45

Depending on the model, the distance between the tubular struts may
be 3,5 m or 4,0 m.
Depending on the soil type, it is possible to choose between four
different types of foundations.

TUBULAR STRUT

ADDITIONAL TIE BAR

DOWNSLOPE BRACE

MICROPILE

DOWNSLOPE SPIRAL ANCHOR

Figure 4

Figure 5

WARNING: Install the product in accordance with National Security Requirements! If the job is done with suspension or security ropes, personal protective equipment against fall risk must be connected with anchor points in agreement with EN 795.

Officine Maccaferri S.p.A.

Via Kennedy, 10 - 40069 Zola Predosa (BO) - Italy
Tel. (+39) 051-6436000 - Fax (+39) 051-6436201
E-mail: comes@maccaferri.com - Web site: www.officinemaccaferri.com

Bureau Veritas Certified Quality System Company with

Accredia's and UKAS' s accreditation.