A Ballast Guide

Definition: `Heavy material, such as gravel, sand, iron or lead, placed low on a structure to improve its stability. Something that gives stability or substance’.

For safe use, any environmentally susceptible structure should be anchored to the surface on which it has been installed. Variables such as environmental aggressors (wind and rain), engineering criteria (mainstay horizontal and vertical position, angle and ballast type) and surface types (dry or wet tar-surface, dry or wet concrete, smooth or rough surfaces, grass, dirt or gravel) are all taken into consideration. Written specifications for anchoring are conveyed via installation instructions from on-site engineers. Elements taken into consideration: * site wind exposure * Terrain category * Wind Region * 5 day forecast * duration of tent on site * soil density for staking (holding power) * soil water saturation (drought or muddy) * nearby structures (buildings, trees) * size of the tent (surface area) Ballasts should be placed on all four corners of a marquee (for example) however, if requested, additional smaller-sized anchor points can also be used, giving extra support for side walls. Every leg should have a ballast point, or the leg becomes a ‘floating’ leg and if exposed to high winds, becomes a danger. There are several anchoring options available for all surface types.

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