Skip to main content

CROSS Safety Report

Wind damage due to unplanned cladding

Report ID: 604 Published: 1 April 2017 Region: CROSS-UK

This report is over 2 years old

Please be aware that it might contain information that is no longer up to date. We keep all reports available for historic reference and as learning aids.

Overview

A reporter describes how some of the uprights of the fencing around local tennis courts were markedly out of vertical.

They feel that affected posts correspond to positions where advertising posters have been attached to previously wind-permeable wire netting.

Key Learning Outcomes

For civil and structural design engineers and asset owners:

  • Attaching hoardings and posters to walls and fences can increase the windage on them

  • A design check should be carried out on any existing wall, parapet, and fence that has attachments added to them

Full Report

Find out more about the Full Report

Our secure and confidential safety reporting system gives professionals the opportunity to share their experiences to help others. If you would like to know more, please visit the reporting to CROSS-AUS page. 

This reporter recently noticed that some of the uprights of the fencing around local tennis courts were markedly out of vertical (Figure 1). The affected posts correspond to positions where advertising posters have been attached to previously wind-permeable wire netting. Relatively small posters of plastic sheeting have greatly increased wind exposure whilst larger areas of semi permeable netting have produced the same result. The effects of adding cladding to scaffolding are now well understood in that industry but not necessarily elsewhere.

Image
Figure 1: out of vertical fence uprights around tennis court

Expert Panel Comments

Find out more about the Expert Panel

An Expert Panel comment on the reports we receive. They use their experience to help you understand what can be learned from the reports. If you would like to know more, please visit the CROSS-AUS Expert Panel page.

There are no Expert Panel comments on this report. The Expert Panels are only asked to comment on selected reports. These are normally reports where there is an opportunity for them to help you understand what can be learned from the report.

Submit a report

Your report will make a difference. It will help to create positive change and improve safety.

Our secure and confidential safety reporting system gives professionals the opportunity to share their experiences to help others.