Media Release
From the Building Commissioner
29 January 2010
Set sail safely for summer shade
For many Victorians the summer holidays is the time to get to those do-it-yourself projects to
improve their homes.
Outdoor projects are particularly popular, with shade-sails high on the home improvement list
because they offer protection from the summer sun. Yet sometimes rather than improve a home
they impair it.
A consumer recently had their entire home contents damaged by flood - the result of an outdoor
sail-cloth. While the shade-sail was properly anchored in place, the positioning of its brackets
meant rainwater run-off to the gutters on the garage roof could not cope with a heavy downpour.
If in doubt, a check of the shade-sail’s effect on the gutters and rainwater handling by a roof
plumber could avoid this situation.
Like any project, it is important to have a plan. Depending on the size of the shade-sail, its
location and purpose, it may require a building permit or a planning permit. It’s worth checking
with your local council.
For standalone shade sails, the size of the sail, the type of soil into which the posts are being
concreted and the height of the posts will determine the depth of concrete footings and the size
posts which will be required. Also, as it is a fixed location, be aware of the proximity of overhead
powerlines and trees.
For shade-sails that require anchorage, the structure to which the sail-cloth to is fixed should be
considered to ensure it is secure and safe. A shade-sail in windy conditions can generate a lift
with enough force to rip away a post or damage a structurally inadequate building to which it is
anchored.
The sailcloth can also tear in high winds if not properly erected. While damage to the shade-sail
is expensive and inconvenient - even more so is the damage it may do to the structure it’s
attached to –which is often a home’s balcony.
Six per cent of Australian homes have a timber balcony and around two per cent of these are
unsafe. Most at-risk are houses built between 1970 and 1990, when balcony development
increased and there was some use of inappropriate timber and construction without building
approval. So it is often the case that the balcony to which the shade-sail is attached may not be
structurally sound.
While do-it-yourself home improvements can be a success, sometimes the adage “safe as
houses” is put to the test. However, there are some risk factors that you can check for before
attaching or anchoring a shade-sail to a balcony, pergola, building, or garage:
Look for pooling of water on the building’s surface
Check timber boards, posts and beams for rot
Inspect brackets and bolts for signs of rust
Ensure materials are not rotted, corroded, loose or unstable.
If your are in doubt about the soundness of the structure to which a shade-sail is attached,
always seek the advice of an expert, such as a building surveyor, registered building practitioner
or the water shedding capacity for a roof - a licensed or registered plumbing practitioner.
You can find them at the Building Commission and Plumbing Industry Commission on 1300 815
As another adage states: it’s better to be safe than sorry.
ENDS
NEWS 
