Copper Mountain Consolidated Metropolitan District Office of Fire Prevention

970-968-2300 ext. 831 P.O. Box 3002

0477 Copper Road Copper Mountain, Colorado 80443

Canopy/Tent Weight Guidelines Most accidents at events involve canopies or small tents. It is your job to minimize the risk. There are two general rules regarding canopies/tents which all participants need to remember:

! Your canopy/tent shall be fully secured before setting up anything else. ! Be sure that your method of securing your canopy/tent to the ground does not create an additional

hazard.

Weights Summit County has unpredictable weather, and often strong, gusty, and unpredictable winds. While participants use canopies/tents to shield themselves from the rain and sun, our region's winds can turn your canopies/tents into deadly missiles with one unexpected gust. All participants must have their own weights, with a minimum of 40 pounds, per canopy/tent leg. These weights shall be touching the ground and tied to the intersection of the leg and roof structure using a webbing tie down strap or at least 3/8 diameter rope. Bungee cords or rubber straps have the possibility of hook or elastic failures are not allowed. Gallon water jugs and single bricks are NOT heavy enough and are NOT safe weight (ballast). A gallon of water weighs only 8 pounds and single bricks are worthless, weighing in at 3 pounds. Five gallon bucket/pails are also not approved. Five gallons of water will weigh 40 lbs. but the bucket or pail handle can be pulled out of the bucket/pail. PVC pipe filled with concrete or canopy/tent weight sandbags are safe ways to weigh down your tents. Strong gusts come up without warning at any time before, during, or after the event has closed. After the first gust catapults your canopy/tent like a rocket-powered javelin through the air, or into a customer or fellow vendor, it is already too late to decide to secure your canopy/tent. You should assume winds will come. While participants may experience calm conditions during morning setup, conditions can change dramatically by late afternoon and breakdown. Additionally, setup and breakdown periods are when canopies/tents consistently prove to be most vulnerable to the wind. You must be sure to completely secure your canopy as soon as you set it up, and take down your canopy as soon as you remove your weights at the end of the day. DO NOT let yourself be interrupted by ANYTHING in the middle of this process, as a half-secured canopy/tent is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than an unsecured canopy/tent.

What is Allowed

PVC Pipe Filled with Concrete (40-50 pounds per leg)

The PVC pipe filled with cement hangs on the inside of the canopy/tent pole, and it has soft edge. Should also be attach with strap around leg to keep from swinging

Instructions ! Use a 5 inch PVC pipe cut 30 inches long,

or 4 inch PVC cut 48 long, and purchase two end caps for each section along with a long (>6) eye hook.

! Drill a hole in one of the ends to allow the bolt end of the eyehook to go through it.

! Using an adhesive for PVC pipe, seal one end.

! Fill the tubes with the bags of quickcrete. ! Add water to the pipes (The moisture will

set the quickcrete). ! Secure the end cap with the hole, again

using adhesive, and stick the bolt end of the eyehook through the hole making sure it inserts deeply into the Quick Crete.

! Stand the pipe up to allow curing. ! Use tie-down webbing straps or 3/8

diameter rope that allow you to adjust the height for your weights. This keeps the weight tension tight.

EZ - Up Sand Bags or Similar (40 pounds per leg)

Each weight bag holds up to 40 pounds of sand (which you provide) and attaches to legs.

Average cost from most online stores is $60.00 for 4 bags, plus the cost of sand.

FACTORY MADE AND DESIGNED WEIGHTS FOR THE STRUCTURE THAT

ARE 40 LBS. OR HEAVIER

FOR SPECIALTY OR STRUCTURES > 400 SQ. FT, ENGINEERED ANCHORING

DRAWINGS ARE REQUIRED

Tying weights to the corner cross member is a more secure anchoring system. The lower part of the structures leg is held in place by only a push button.

Tying the weights to a corner cross member and securing it to the post will keep the weight from swinging due to wind.

What is NOT Allowed Water Bottles

!

1 gallon water jugs only weigh 8 pounds each.

Other prohibited weights include the use of kegs, coolers, bags of ice, bar bells, gym weights, etc. that dont weigh enough or are difficult to attach.

Cinder Blocks (22 pounds per leg)

Aside from being another tripping hazard theyre just plain ugly! They only weigh around 22 pounds each.

Stakes

Never use stakes in the cement, or in our rocky soil. A stiff wind will pull this right out of the ground and they are extremely hazardous to you and your customers as a trip hazard.

Straps allowed:

Nylon ratchet straps

High quality rope 3/8 diameter or greater

Nylon webbing

NO BUNGEE CORDS OR RUBBER STRAPS ALLOWED !!!!!!

** If you have any questions or are unsure if your weights will work, please contact Copper Mountain Fire Departments Office of Fire Prevention at (970) 968-2300 x 831.

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