The right canopy architecture can protect you from business losses as well as the weather. Any business owner knows that skimping on safety can bring disaster. Accidents that cause injury to employees or patrons and damage to your building, equipment or merchandise can be tremendously expensive. Avoidable accidents can cost you in damaged reputation and lost sales, too.
Canopy architecture that ensures the greatest safety starts with intelligent design and quality materials.
If you cut corners right from the start, you can be sure you’ll have problems down the road.
Wind is your biggest concern, because it makes things bounce. Top quality canopy architecture takes that into account. You may see the fabric move in the wind, but the frame should remain stable. That requires strong attachment points at the wall. Your canopy needs properly sized footings and posts – and enough of them — so there’s plenty of support along the outside, too.
Check your local building codes. They nearly always they address structural specifications that will affect your canopy architecture and safety.
Some things just aren’t meant to be.
If you’re in a notably windy area – near the beach or atop a highrise – permanent canopy architecture is by far the safest choice.
Retractable awnings are strictly for sun shade. Only the highest quality retractables even have a wind rating, and it’s very difficult to detect quality differences just by looking at them. You don’t want to get stuck with a weak product that will be inherently unsafe. If you wouldn’t be comfortable sitting outdoors yourself, it’s too windy for a retractable awning.
If retraction is a necessity for some reason, you can augment the standard canopy architecture to boost safety. Your awning should be epoxy-anchored to the masonry, or to the studs if your building exterior is wood. It’s advisable to beef up the manufacturer’s recommendations for bracketing, too, adding at least one more bracket, maybe two for wood installations. And never leave your awning unfurled in the wind. That’s just asking for trouble.
To ensure ongoing safety, you should periodically inspect your canopy.
Over time things wear out. And ignoring problems won’t make them go away. The longer you wait, the worse it will get. Neglected damage can turn into a serious safety concern.
Inspection is especially important after a heavy storm, but you should check every aspect of your canopy architecture regularly regardless of the weather. Your goal is to detect potential safety concerns when they’re very small, so you can fix them. Look for:
- Broken welds.
- Tiny worn spots or tears in the fabric.
- Cracks in the concrete footings of your support poles.
- Loose bolts or other fittings.
Catching problems right away often means repairs can be made on the spot.
So call your awning company right away – the minute you spot a problem. And email them photos so they can see for themselves. They may want to do a site inspection, too, since photos don’t always tell the entire story. An awning expert can assess the severity of your damage, to determine if it’s an urgent safety issue requiring an emergency fix or something that simply needs to be addressed soon.
Canopy architecture – design and installation – can only do so much. Choosing the right materials and the right company to work with are a solid beginning, but you want your canopy to last as long as possible. And you certainly don’t want to be worried about safety. Regular inspection and taking remedial action when you find tiny problems can add years to your canopy’s life.
Why take chances? Canopy architecture that’s well-thought-out and properly installed will give you years of service. And wouldn’t you rather enjoy your canopy rather than worrying about safety?
Photo Credit: Damek via Flickr
