When hoardings need engineering
Councils and building surveyors often require engineering for hoardings, particularly tall hoardings, hoardings carrying signage or shade cloth, and those in exposed locations or next to busy footpaths. A design that's been engineered for the actual site avoids both an unsafe hoarding and an over-built one that's slow and expensive to install.
What the design has to account for
- Wind: the site's wind conditions, the height of the hoarding and, above all, what's attached to it. Signage, printed mesh and shade cloth can greatly increase wind load.
- Footing or ballast: embedded posts where excavation is possible, or ballast and counterweights where services under the footpath rule it out.
- Public loads: people leaning on the hoarding, plus minor impact.
- Duration: how long the hoarding will be in place affects the design wind event.
What we design
- Freestanding hoardings on ballast or counterweights
- Hoardings with posts embedded in footings
- Hoardings fixed to existing structures
- Designs using a nominated supplier's hoarding system
- Allowances for signage, mesh and shade cloth
What you receive
- DrawingsLayout, typical sections, post and bracing details, and footing or ballast details.
- CalculationsWind, stability and structural checks.
- Design letterFor the council hoarding permit or the building permit, as required.
- Installation inspectionWhere engaged, an inspection of the installed hoarding against the design.
What we need from you
- Site plan showing the hoarding alignment
- Hoarding height and cladding type
- Any signage, mesh or shade cloth
- How long the hoarding will be in place
- Footpath construction and known underground services
- The proposed hoarding system or supplier
Don't have everything yet? Send what you have. We'll tell you what's missing and whether it affects the proposal.
How it works
- Site detailsSend the alignment, height and cladding.
- ProposalWe confirm the scope and programme.
- DesignWe design the hoarding for the site's conditions.
- Permit and installationWe provide the design letter, and can inspect the installation if required.
Who does what
MEG provides
- Structural design of the hoarding and its footings or ballast
- Design documentation for permits
- Installation inspection, if engaged
Not included, or by others
- Council permit applications themselves
- Hoarding supply or installation
- Traffic management
Questions
Why does signage change the design?
Solid signage or fine mesh can turn an open-framed hoarding into a solid sail, greatly increasing the wind load on it. Tell us about any signage at the start.
Can the hoarding be designed without digging into the footpath?
Often, yes, using ballast or counterweights. We need to know about underground services and the footpath construction to choose the right approach.
Can you design for our standard hoarding system?
Yes. We can design using your supplier's system and components.