What is the purpose of scuppers?

• A. They seal the roof against water intrusion
• B. Scuppers allow visible discharge and provide redundancy, often used as secondary drainage
• C. They are decorative elements
• D. They channel water to interior spaces

Answer: (B)

Scuppers provide an exterior discharge path for roof water. They are openings in the parapet or roof edge that let water drain directly to the outside, giving visible discharge and a backup drainage route. This setup helps prevent ponding and water backup when the primary drainage (such as interior roof drains) is blocked or overwhelmed. They’re commonly used as secondary drainage to add redundancy, not as a means to seal water intrusion, decorate the roof, or channel water into interior spaces. Proper sizing, protection from debris, and proper flashing are important to prevent backflow and maintain watertight edge details.