A series of roof collapses and building closures across the Netherlands has raised fears about the impact of prolonged snowfall on large buildings with flat roofs.

Sports halls, warehouses, swimming pools and retail premises have been affected in several regions. “The Netherlands is the only country in Europe with such flat roofs,” Erik Middelkoop from civil engineering bureau Haskoning told the Financieele Dagblad on Friday.

In Utrecht, a large sports complex was closed after part of its roof collapsed, while several indoor sports facilities have been shut as a precaution. Ikea stores in Groningen, Utrecht and Breda were also closed temporarily under a safety protocol, the company said.

The emergency services have responded to multiple incidents in recent days, including collapsed greenhouse roofs, storage facilities and agricultural buildings. In most cases, no injuries were reported, but authorities say the scale of the damage underlines the risks posed by snow on large roof surfaces.

Experts warn that wide buildings with relatively light roof constructions are particularly vulnerable. Melting snow and rainwater collects on flat roofs,  increasing the weight, especially when temperatures fluctuate around freezing.

“Large flat roofs can become dangerous when meltwater cannot drain away and starts to accumulate,” Middelkoop said.

Dutch building rules require roofs to withstand a specified snow load, depending on the type of building, and this is usually between 30 to 40 centimetres, plus a safety margin.

However, specialists say uneven snowdrifts, wind effects and added weight from installations such as solar panels can lead to localised overloading.

Building owners and local authorities are being urged to monitor vulnerable structures closely and remove snow where possible. “It would not surprise me if more problems emerge in the coming days,” Middelkoop said.