Canopy Weight Guidelines

Most accidents at events involve canopies. It is your responsibility to minimize the risk. There are two

general rules regarding canopies which all participants need to remember:

1. Your canopy shall be fully secured before setting up anything else. Setup and breakdown periods are when canopies consistently prove to be most vulnerable to the wind. You must 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 is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than an unsecured canopy.

2. Be sure that your method of securing your canopy to the ground does not create an additional hazard. Use approved straps to secure canopy weights.

Weights

Unpredictable weather and strong winds can turn canopies into destructive missiles.

All tents must have each leg weighted with a minimum of forty pounds.

What is APPROVED

• PVC pipe filled with concrete. The PVC pipe filled with cement hangs on

the inside of the canopy pole, and it has rounded edges. Pipe must be secured to roof

and to canopy leg separately. This are easy to DIY and directions with links are below.

• EZ - Up Sand Bags or Similar. Each weight bag holds up to 40 pounds of sand (which you provide) and attaches to legs. Remember to use the large size bags and fill them completely.

 

How to Secure Weights

Weights must be secured to canopy roof and to canopy leg separately with the following methods:

• Nylon ratchet straps

• High quality rope – light-duty

cord is not allowed.

• Factory-supplied pins (weight

bags come with these).

Note: Bungees and rubber straps are not allowed!

 

What is NOT Allowed
 

• One gallon water jugs

• Larger water jugs that do not have handles molded as part of the body.

• Concrete blocks – cannot be secured adequately to canopy legs and do not

weigh enough.

• Coolers, bags of ice, water jugs from which water or product is removed.

• Loose weightlifting plates – cannot be secured to legs properly.

• Dumbells – cannot be secured properly to canopy legs.

• Merchandise Racks – do not weigh enough when product is removed.

 Gallon water jugs and single bricks are not safe. A gallon of water weighs only 8 pounds and a single

brick is worthless, weighing in at 3 pounds.
 

How to Build It Yourself

• Use 4 inch ID PVC pipe cut 36 inches long or longer, purchase two end caps for each section along with a long eyebolt and nut.

• Drill a hole in one of the end caps just large enough to allow the bolt end of the eyebolt to go through it.

• Using an adhesive for PVC pipe, seal one end with the undrilled cap.

• Mix at least 40 lbs. of dry concrete, such as quickcrete, with water and pour into

the tube.

• Insert the bolt through the hole in the cap and tighten a nut onto the bolt inside the cap. Secure the cap to the pipe with PVC adhesive.

• Use tie-down straps that allow you to adjust the height for your weights. This

keeps the weight tension tight. Only use approved tie down straps to secure the

weights to the canopy.