Canopy Weight Guidelines

Most accidents at  Markets involve canopies. It is your job to minimize the risk. There are two general rules regarding canopies which all vendors need to remember:

• Always fully secure your canopy to the ground.
• Be sure that your method of securing your canopy to the ground does not itself create an additional hazard.
   

Below we will explore the basics of securing canopies in detail, including pictures of examples of the right and wrong way of doing it.
 

Good Canopy Weight, Bad Canopy Weight

New England is infamous for its unpredictable weather, diverse climates and often strong, gusty, and unpredictable winds. And while Market vendors use canopies to shield themselves from the rain and sun, our region's winds can turn our canopies into deadly missiles with one unexpected gust.

You should always have your canopy secured to the ground. It is not enough to have the tools necessary to secure your canopy on hand if you do not employ them. Or to rely on getting bricks from our property or securing your tent to your neighbor's weights. All vendors must have their own tent weights, again with a minimum of 40 lbs per tent leg. Gallon water jugs, and single bricks will not cut it. Gallons of water weigh only 9lbs and single bricks are worthless, weighing in at 3lbs.

Strong gusts can come up without warning at any time before, during or after the Market has closed. After the first gust catapults your canopy like a rocket powered javelin through the nearest windshield (happened last year in the South End), or into a customer or fellow vendor, it is already too late to decide to secure your canopy. You should assume winds will come. Indeed, they often do. While vendors may experience calm conditions upon morning setup, conditions can change dramatically by late afternoon and breakdown.

Additionally, setup and breakdown periods are consistently when canopies prove to be most vulnerable to wind. Last year we had two incidents that happened at the end of the Market day. 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 its ground moorings 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 is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than an unsecured canopy. They flip. They crumple. They do weird things!


The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Good



PVC Pipe Filled with Concrete (40-50 lbs per leg)
The PVC pipe filled with cement hangs on the inside of the canopy pole, and it has soft edges and the ability to move, just in case someone still manages to collide with it.

Instructions
Use a 5" pvc pipe cut 30" long, purchase two end caps for each section along with a long 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 we sealed one end. Then take the bags of quickcrete and fill the tubes. Then add water to the pipes. (The moisture will set the quickcrete) Place the end cap with the hole again using adhesive and stick the bolt end of the eyehook through the hole making sure it inserts into the quickcrete. Stand and allow to dry. Use tie-down straps or bungees with hooks on both ends that allow you to adjust for height for your weights. This keeps the weight tension tight.
 

Good

EZ - Up Sand Bags (40 lbs per leg)
Each weight bag holds up to 40 lbs. of sand (which you provide) and attaches to legs. Average cost from most online stores is 60.00 for 4 bags. Click on links below to learn more and purchase.

Where to purchase:
http://www.ezupdirect.com/shelter-accessories/deluxe-weight-bag.php

http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_
2613_A_CategoryID_E_254

BAD



Water Bottles (8 lbs per leg)
8 lbs water jugs weighing 8lbs each, weighing in total at a measly 36 pounds. We recommend that vendors use at least 40lbs per leg. If you must go this route, please use 5 gallon jugs attached to each leg at the bottom of the your tent, not suspended.

Pretty Bad 

Cinder Blocks (22 LBS)
Aside from being another tripping hazard there just plain ugly! And they only weigh around 22 lbs each, you'll need at least two per leg. Again we do not recommend this option, but if you must, please attach 2 cinder blocks per leg.

Very Bad

Stakes
Never use stakes in the cement. A stiff wind will lift these right out of the ground and they are an extreme hazard to our customers.