If a blockage occurs after the connection to the overflow drain the overflow is useless and defeats the purpose.
Purpose of roof overflow drain.
Flat roofs that do not drain over the roof edge and roofs that have parapet walls must utilize roof drains to get the water off the roof.
By the 1997 edition of the upc section 1101 11 2 had been added that completely prescribed where and how secondary roof drainage was to be provided.
Where you have roof drains you are also required to have overflow drains.
The drain may be used to redirect water after it reaches a certain level or serve as a means of effectively maintaining a certain level of any type of liquid in place as part of the manufacturing process.
Overflow drains shall be the same size as the roof drains with the inlet flow line two inches above the low point of the roof and shall be installed independent from the roof drains.
The 2006 international residential code specifies the size and locations for overflow drains on residential structures.
Combination main overflow drain commercial construction commercial multi family thin wall construction.