The heating system for outdoor consists of three main components:
- Heating element (cable or mat with suitable specific output)
- Controller (it can be digital with moisture and temperature sensors or analogue with temperature sensors)
- Accessories depending on chosen equipment (e.g. clips, fixing tapes or others)
The heating cables or mats that are installed underneath or inside the constructions that should remain free from snow or ice. The system is controlled electronically and equipped with sensors. Once they detect a combination of low temperature and high humidity, the control system activates the electric heating element which warms up the area.
It is not always necessary to heat the entire surface.
For garages and driveway only the small areas where the vehicles tires are in contact with the surface need to be secured. For driveways with steep angles, a linear drainage system is required to drain the water from snow and ice melting. This channel must also be protected from freezing.
For stairs, the cables are laid in the form of loops arranged across the steps, maintaining a sufficient distance between the adjacent sections. On new constructions, the installation is laid on the surface of the stairs and overlaid with a concrete layer with a thickness of three to five centimeters. On old stairs, the cables should be placed in grooves and overlaid with concrete, with the addition of plasticizer. Concrete should adhere closely to the entire surface of the cable without the presence of air bubbles.
Our ice and snow melting solutions can also be used on the rooftops of buildings, eliminating icicles hanging dangerously from roof gutters, or protecting the heating or cooling pipes on the rooftop-installed air handling unit.
In stadiums the sport fields can be kept snow-free and ready to be used despite winter conditions. In some regions/sports there are regulations to minimize or eliminate the influence of weather conditions on matches. We provide the required knowledge and products and have the experience from installing field heating under natural and artificial grass in many stadiums.
How we can help you
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Efficient snow removal—area is kept free from ice and snow 24/7
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Safe traffic and working areas for people
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Protecting the buildings against ice formations that will not damage roof constructions later
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Avoiding manual work to clean the snow and ice
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Avoiding unforeseen repair costs after winter
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Reducing risks of roof collapse due to extra snow loads
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A maintenance-free system with 20-year full warranty on cables
Safe ground and roof with Danfoss heating cables
Danfoss has designed versatile outdoor solutions for pipe heating, roof and gutter, and ground heating that can be installed on virtually any type of construction including private, business and institutional buildings.
DEVI winter solutions – Outdoor safety applications and frost protection
DEVI systems are used in all frost protection applications in parking lots, garages, stairs, pavements and other ground-level surfaces, which can be secured against the negative effects of winter.
Documents
Related products
Electric heating products
Outdoor heating cables are used for efficient snow removal and ice prevention. They provide safety for people, buildings, and the environment. It is a sustainable solution for a green and clean future through low energy consumption during the frost period.
The outdoor heating mats are designed for melting ice and snow and may be installed into special mastic for ground, grass and asphalt constructions. Mats are available in different lengths for two power supply options—230 and 400 V.
Self-limiting heating cables are designed with a temperature-dependent resistant element between two parallel copper bus wires. When the bus wires are connected to the mains, a current goes through the temperature-dependent resistant element which will then heat.
Digital controllers have unique features allowing you to reduce energy waste. Equipped with temperature and moisture sensors, control modes, and special functions, they ensure accurate temperature settings, reducing energy consumption costs by up to 40 percent.
Analogue controllers are thermostats with temperature sensors allowing you to switch the system on and off depending on settings.
Case stories
The Woolworths Distribution Centre was experiencing condensation due to the temperature differences between the cold storage facility and their offices. This resulted in water dripping hazards in the meeting rooms, canteen, and offices.
Electric heating for the immersed tunnel in Norway.
The Bjørvika Tunnel is a motorway immersed on European Route E18 in the city center of Oslo. The tunnel links Festning tunnel in Oslo west with Ekeberg tunnel in Oslo east. The completed tunnel has an unbroken length of six kilometers. The Bjørvika Tunnel is the first immersed tunnel in Norway.
The Örebro Castle is a medieval castle fortification situated in the scenic region of Närke, Sweden. The castle lies on an island by the river Svartån. The oldest part of the castle, a defense tower, was erected in the latter half of the 13th century, but its present appearance, the Örebro Castle, was constructed over the last century. Since 1935, the castle has been a national Swedish monument.
Protocol Road, the longest asphalt driveway equipped with electric heating, is located in North Ankara, Turkey. The electric heating was installed along this 3.3 km 2-direction (3 lanes each) road connecting Ankara city center and the airport.
Designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the second half of the 18th-century, Mariinskyi Palace is the official ceremonial residence of the President of Ukraine and used for hosting other heads of state. Electric heating was chosen as a sustainable modern technology to protect the historical landmark during its reconstruction.
For professional and international stadiums, a very high standard of playing surface is required. It is important to eliminate the risk of match cancellations, particularly those associated with poor weather conditions e.g. heavy rainfall or ice and snow.
Case video - Silkeborg IF stadium
Watch this time-lapse video to see how the Silkeborg IF stadium achieved a snow-free field.
Learning
Visit our Learning Center
Danfoss offers online training materials for technicians and designers working with electric heating. All e-lessons are available free and on-demand through Danfoss Learning portal. For more information, register in our support section by following the link or find the overview of available relevant trainings in the table below.
Register here
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