FAQs

Using Your awning in wind, rain and snow

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Samson

Awning use in wind, rain, snow and ice…

Just as the sailor reefs and furls his sails in a storm so you, too, should retract your awning in strong wind and rain. To prevent anything unforeseen happening this should always be done at nighttime as well, to ensure a good night’s sleep.

If the pitch of the awning is set at less than 14° (to the horizontal) then the awning should not ever be extended when it is raining. There is a danger of rain water collecting on the fabric cover and causing it to sag. This may lead to the awning being damaged or worse, people being injured. If your awning has been retracted when wet it should be extended again at the earliest opportunity to allow it to dry.

If the wind speed exceeds that of the permitted wind resistance class (v. the section ”Technical Information – Fixture of awnings in line with EN 13561”) and in the case of frost or snow the awning must be retracted immediately. If there is snow on the awning it must be removed and a frozen cover thawed out before the awning is retracted.

An automatic weather safety control system (e.g. wind sensor) that extends or retracts the awning according to the weather conditions is no guarantee that the awning system will function perfectly indefinitely. It does not, therefore, relieve the awning owner of the duty to exercise due diligence. In times of absence from the home, e.g. during holidays or at night and during bad weather the awning should be retracted and any automatic control system switched off.

Dampness and cold can lead to the cover becoming stiff and cause the thermal safety cut-out mechanism in the motor to activate. This will prevent the awning from being retracted for a short while but is not a concern.

Awnings with electric motor drive

If there has been a power cut, a purely motor-driven awning cannot be retracted. Retracting and extending the awning several times in quick succession may activate the thermal cut-out mechanism, which prevents the motor from over- heating. After it has cooled down the motor will reactivate itself again. No damage will occur from this feature.

Definition of electric operation side

The operation side is given looking at the awning from the outside (right or left). This usually is the side given preference to when specifying where the electric supply is to be situated. With hard wired motors the power supply and control cable will some from this side.

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