Municipal Buildings and Why A Metal Building Entrance Canopy is Important

Municipal buildings are frequently visited by people that are city, state or nationwide. These facilities are held to certain standards to ensure visitors as well as employees remain safe when entering and exiting the building. A majority of the guidelines are centered towards the services provided and the inner workings, but there are also requirements for the facility buildings themselves. That’s why it’s important to consider the right materials needed to keep these municipal buildings operating at optimal levels. What’s one solution to keeping these facilities’ entryways safe? Design Components installing a Metal Building Entrance Canopy.

OSHA Requirements and A Metal Building Entrance Canopy

Each facility listed of course has its own set rules, guidelines and regulations to follow. However, there is a blanket clause the “general duty clause”. “Under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is ‘free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious harm.’”

That goes without saying that this is one of the more generically proposed aspects of the OSHA. A Metal Building Entrance Canopy may not seem like the initial thought when considering safety, but they in fact are crucial to safety. Employees and visitors remain safe due to the reduction of slips and falls due to rain water. Of course certain facilities and buildings hold different OSHA requirements and guidelines. While visual appearance is important for any commercial property owner, at Design Components, we know that the safe entry and exit of your employees and customers always comes first. Our metal building canopies are built to withstand the harshest weather elements while providing superior strength and coverage.

What Facilities Can Benefit From a Metal Building Entrance Canopy?

While a Metal Building Entrance Canopy may benefit an array of industries, here we’re going to focus on how much of an impact they have on Municipal buildings.  What are some of the facilities and buildings that could benefit from Metal Building Entrance Canopies?

• Department of Driver Services – The DDS is typically fueled by constant visitors. These canopies provide protection from the elements like rain, lightning and harmful UV rays. Plus, these Metal Building Entrance Canopies keep the facility sheltered from water creeping in which leads to a lesser chance of slips and falls.Public Health Facilities – Similarly, guests are attending these facilities to replenish their health and well being. Safe disability access is a critical concern as well. Metal Building Entrance Canopies allow for the safest coverage while entering the facility for those with handicap concerns.
• Waste Recycling – With a daily influx of waste and other recyclables, these canopies are extremely beneficial to the waste recycling process. Metal Building Entrance Canopies will keep employees sheltered as they work. They also protect materials from the outside elements that can lead to material degradation. 
• Schools – Nothing is more important that the safe entry and exit of students. A metal canopy assures safe entry during rain and snow while offering shade for students, teachers and service employees on both pick-up and bus loading ports during milder months. In addition, canopies can provide critical shelter for loading docks that receive daily supply shipments.

Though only a few were listed, all municipal buildings are positively impacted by Metal Building Entrance Canopies.  Fire Stations, Police Departments as well as Parks and Recreation facilities can also find good benefits from canopies for their metal and steel buildings. In addition to adding to property value, the benefits of building safety can lead to less workplace injuries and reductions in insurance claims.

Metal Building Entrance Canopy

At Design Components, our Metal Building Entrance Canopies provide coverage from the elements, as well as serve as architectural components to your facility or storefront. These canopies can be installed over standard doors to over-sized bay doors, and can extend up to five feet from a wall. To assure they meet your entry’s unique needs they are fitted to any length required. In order to save time and cut down on labor costs, these canopies are rod hung and come pre-assembled. This allows for efficient installation with very little downtime. Another helpful benefit of a Metal Building Entrance Canopy is that they are wind rated up to 180mph and can sustain 26psf to 100sf of snow. With that information in mind, let’s take a look at how these canopies are constructed.

• Design – DCI’s canopies incorporate flat soffit and integral gutter drain. The canopy drains are up against the building to the outside of door jams. No matter the type of wall panel or masonry construction, these Metal Building Entrance Canopies can be installed in conjunction with those features.
• Finishes – Design Components offers three different finishes for your Metal Building Entrance Canopies. We offer mill finish pre-coated or baked enamel finish that can be applied to match your building colors.
• Sizes – Though DCI does offer special sizes upon request, we do have preset sizes. There are 4’-0” or 5’-0” projections from face of wall. The width options can be 4’-6” for single doors or 7’-6” for double doors.
• Loading – Our 4’-0” projection canopy is rated for 34#PSF gravity loading and 180 mph wind uplift rated. The 5’-0” projection canopy is rated for 26#PSF gravity loading and 180 mph wind uplift. These measurements are based on the canopy being mounted less than 30’ from the ground.

Design Components and Your Metal Building Entrance Canopy Needs

Design Components, Inc has been located just south of Atlanta in Fayetteville, GA since 1996. We’re focused on providing superior quality Metal Building Entrance Canopies that can and will protect your facility and employees from the elements. Our knowledgeable staff is made up of some of the industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable experts ready to help you assess the best designs and canopies that will fit your business’ needs.

Looking to add or updated your Municipal Building with Metal Building Entrance Canopies? Then please contact us or give us a call at (800) 868-9910.