4 Types of Industrial Aluminum Canopy Designs Call (513) 889-2492 ORDER NOW Silvana Gold Silvana is Upside's Marketing Analyst - qualifying leads that come through the website and assisting in marketing initiatives. With experience in copywriting and a degree in Marketing, her expertise is at work. Feb 07, 2024 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes There are countless variations of commercial and industrial aluminum canopy designs that can be applied to schools, retail outlets, warehouses, etc., but below are the four main variations of canopies: 1. Walkway Canopy Walkway canopies usually cover an ADA-compliant pathway, which means they are typically wider than 5 feet. The maximum span for most aluminum walkway canopies is 12 feet, so a canopy post is required every 12 feet. Are you considering a walkway canopy? Read the 5 Essential Walkway Canopy Elements to Consider. Common applications: schools, correctional facilities, churches, retail outlets Sidewalk Canopy for Correctional Facility Aluminum Walkway Canopy for School 2. Entry Canopy Entryway canopies are bolted to the building above the doorway or entryway and protrude out from the building. These canopies can be combined with a ramp and/or a set of stairs that lead away from the building. Entryway canopies can be designed to change elevation as the ramp and/or stairs change elevation. Common applications: storefronts, schools, recreational facilities Large Entryway Canopy Modular Building Entry Canopy 3. Canopy Between Buildings An industrial aluminum canopy can be located between two temporary, modular buildings that are close together, but they can connect permanent buildings as well. Canopies are connected to the buildings using two methods: 1) The canopy can be bolted to the building’s outside walls, or 2) the canopy can be placed above the two buildings so that it has posts and overhangs the edges of the building and provides full coverage. Common applications: classrooms, offices, storage facilities 4. Cantilever Canopy Cantilever canopies are secured to the side of the building using a tie-rod or ‘support arm’ that angles upwards from the edge of the canopy. The primary reason for using cantilever canopies over another style of the canopy is to get rid of the canopy posts. Common applications: warehouse loading dock zones, restaurant drive-thru windows, and commercial building entrances. Buildings such as schools and hospitals often have a lot of foot traffic, and canopy designs in their walkways can provide several benefits. First, canopies can protect from the elements, such as rain and sun, which is especially important for buildings like schools and hospitals where people may be outside for extended periods. This can make the walkways more comfortable and accessible for students, staff, patients, and visitors. Second, canopy designs can provide additional security and privacy for buildings like schools and hospitals. They can create a barrier between the building and the outside, making it more difficult for outsiders to see into the building and potentially providing a sense of security. Finally, canopy designs can also enhance the overall aesthetic of the building, making it more attractive and inviting. Establishments like schools and hospitals often offer community resources and services and must present an open-for-all image to the public. Request a Quote Ramps Wood vs. Aluminum Ramps Read More » February 5, 2024 News Navigating the Complexities of Code Compliance for Multi-Use Facilities Read More » February 27, 2024
5 Essential Walkway Canopy Elements to Consider Call (513) 889-2492 ORDER NOW Tracy Mikulec Tracy Mikulec, a seasoned leader in the digital marketing realm, currently serves as the Director of Digital at SixAxis, a pioneering manufacturer of industrial and commercial safety products from renowned brands like SafeRack, ErectaStep, and Upside. With a career spanning over three decades, Tracy has been at the forefront of digital innovation, ecommerce, and technology strategy. Since January 2015, Tracy has been instrumental in shaping the digital landscape at SixAxis, LLC, based in Andrews, South Carolina. His role involves leading digital strategies and overseeing technological advancements for SixAxis and its diverse portfolio of brands. Mar 30, 2020 Estimated reading time: 3 minutes Aluminum walkway canopies add value to any commercial property, and they last much longer than fabric canopies. Below are 5 elements to consider when determining the best walkway canopy layout. 1. Walkway Width A commercial sidewalk must be at least 5′ wide to comply with ADA regulations. Any sidewalk that is less than 5′ wide must have areas every 200′ called ‘passing spaces’ that measure 5′ x 5′. To avoid pouring concrete for passing spaces, most commercial sidewalks are at least 5′ wide. Therefore, our canopy is usually between 5′ and 6′ wide, but the maximum width that it can span is 12′. Here are some industrial walkway canopy designs to consider. A means of egress near a walkway canopy is essential to guide exits or escape routes from the shelter to ensure the safe evacuation of occupants in case of a fire or other emergency. The right width would make egress routes accessible and these egresses should be clearly marked and unobstructed and lead to a safe place outside the building. 2. Walkway Length If you want the entire sidewalk covered, measure the distance from one end of the sidewalk to the other. If you want partial coverage, measure only the area you want to be covered. 3. Changes In Direction To design the canopy correctly, we need to know if there are any changes in direction. The most accurate way to give us information about changes in direction is to send us an overhead picture or layout drawing of the sidewalk or walkway. If the sidewalk makes a turn and has a step-down or up, we will design the canopy so that one section steps overlaps the other section at an angle. If the sidewalk changes direction on level ground, we can cut the canopy decking at the specified angle of the turn. The Apex Canopy resource provides more in-depth information. Canopy cut at an angle Overlapping canopy that has a step Below is an actual Upside walkway canopy layout. 4. Changes In Elevation There are two ways to design the walkway canopy to accommodate a ramp or step system within the walkway. First, one canopy section would step down from the higher canopy section. The higher canopy section would hang over the lower one so that rain does not come through the gap. The second option is to cut the canopy posts at different lengths to counteract the elevation change. Canopy that steps down with taller posts Overlapping canopy that steps down 5. Barriers People tend to forget about structures that might be in the way of a walkway canopy; consider structures like power lines, light posts, and trees. It is possible to design a solution if the barrier is known, but if it is discovered after the canopy arrives at the site, it can be difficult to provide a quick solution. Tools & Resources Stair and Walk Surface Glossary of Terms Read More » December 1, 2022 Stairs 5 Styles of Industrial Work Platforms Read More » February 27, 2018