Guidelines for installing school shade sails

August 30th, 2016 · Published to Playgrounds by Steve Lewis

It may come as a surprise to you, but Australia’s skin cancer rates are the highest in the world. While as adults we understand the risk of UV radiation and “slip, slop, slap” to prevent it, children, however, do not and because they spend the most time outdoors, they are at the highest risk. Because of this, it is our responsibility as adults to do all we can to provide adequate protection.

In case you were unaware, UV radiation is at its peak between 10 am to 3 pm, when kids are in school. As such, school leaders and the government must be pro-active in supplying and install school shade sails to keep children protected as best as possible.

As a shade solution manufacture, I have supplied many schools across Australia with shade sail solutions. If you are looking to install shade sails at your school then continue reading this article as I provide a detailed guide as to how to do so.

Planning and design

Schools have many different areas that may need school shade sails installed. These include active and passive playgrounds, canteens, bus stops, covered assembly areas, transition zones and pedestrian links to name some. Moreover, some schools that I have supplied shade sails to have also had pools, sports fields and special areas that need sun protection. While it is important to treat all these areas individually, school shade sails must also take into account the whole site. As such, planning and design is the most important phase in installing school shade sails.

I always recommend that a school seek professional advice before installing shade sails. Depending on the design and location of a school, the shade sail requirements will vary. We at Global Shade would be happy to assist with answering any questions you may have before installing school shade sails.

Optimising existing shade structures

I notice that many outdoor areas of a school may already have existing shade structures in place. In this instance, it is important to try to optimise any existing structure before installing new school shade sails. This can be done by shifting outdoor seats to shaded areas and by allowing access to shaded areas.

At Global Shade, we measure the intended area and perform an audit of where school shade sails are required. We can also offer advice on optimising existing shade structures to ensure your school children get the maximum protection from the sun.

Climate

It is also important to consider the climatic conditions of a school before installing shade sails. Conditions such as heavy winds and the presence of salts in the air must be considered as they can lead to corrosion amongst other issues.

Climatic conditions can be somewhat difficult to determine and it is a task best left to the experts, such as Global Shade. Our sophisticated technical team possesses the skills to determine what shade sails can be used in a particular location.

UV reflection

While direct rays of the sun pose the maximum threat of UV radiation, UV rays can be reflected off other structures as well. As such, it is important for school shade sails to minimise any reflected UV radiation. Your shade sails should be sufficiently large and should be made from quality fabrics to block out maximum UV radiation.

At Global Shade, we make use of high-quality Rainbow Shade fabrics in our shade sails. As a result of this, our school shade sails are able to offer UV protection of up to 99%.

Safety

It is also incredibly important to ensure that your school shade sails do not pose any safety hazards. A flimsy shade structure can cause more harm than good. Shade sails must only be installed by professionals, who have the necessary expertise to put up sails properly.

At Global Shade, we offer installation on all the school shade sails that we manufacture. Our expert installation team will ensure that there are no safety hazards associated with our shade sails. Moreover, by having experts do the installation, your shade sail will be more effective and will last longer as well.

Conclusion:

There are several considerations that need to be made before shade sails are installed in a school. These include proper planning and design, optimising existing shade structures, considering climatic conditions, considering UV reflection and safety concerns. As such, installation of school shade sails in a technical task that is best left in the hands of professionals.

For the best quality shade sails in Australia, consider Global Shade. We are a reputed and trustworthy manufacturer, supplier and installer of shade solutions for schools, kindergartens and playgrounds. By choosing to go with us, you will get a shade solution that is properly designed to serve its purpose.

To find out more or to place an order for school shade sails, get in touch with us. We’d love to help you in every way that we can.