FAQ

Do I need planning permission for an external smoking canopy?
From agreeing and ordering my canopy - how long will it be until it is fitted?
What should the canopy sit on? And how is it fixed down?
Do you provide a suitable canopy base if mine is not solid/level?
How should I maintain my canopy?
When should I use my side walls and when should I roll them up?
What if splits appear in the timber?
Where do I get replacement lamp for the heater from?
Where do I get replacement lamps for my lights from?
Can I add more canopies to an existing canopy installation?
Can I add side walls to my existing canopy installation?
Can I have my pub name added to the canopy as a graphic on the outside?
Is financing available?

1. Do I need planning permission for an external smoking canopy?

2. From agreeing and ordering my canopy - how long will it be until it is fitted?

All our canopies are made to order - to ensure any options are included including canopy colour, side walls etc. This manufacture period is 4 weeks.

With regards the installation - our dedicated installs teams around the UK install the canopies as close to the time of end of production as possible - but your sales agent will liaise with you over the specific date to your and your customers convenience.

3. What should the canopy sit on? And how is it fixed down?

The smoking canopy is designed to be fixed down to a solid and level base. This base should, ideally, be a concrete pad around 200mm thick (over the whole area) - or be a set of concrete cubes (1 per foot) - around 600mm x 600mm x 600mm in size. This base then provides the canopy with a solid item to fix to, allowing the bases to be bolted down to a sturdy foundation, preventing side movement and uplift of the structure.

The bases should also be level as the canopy leg tolerance is 150mm (cut of at the time of installation). A level base also means that should any optional side walls be fitted - they will appear horizontal at the bottom (as all side walls are made with a horizontal bottom edge - they are not cut to suit).

4. Do you provide a suitable canopy base if mine is not solid/level?

If the area that you want your smoking canopy to be installed is not level or solid - we are able to cast in concrete pads (provided there is clear evidence that there are no services/drains in the location). Fees for this can be obtained from your sales agent or by emailing us.

5. How should I maintain my canopy?

All canopies are made from high quality material, but regular checking and cleaning is always recommended.

The fabric canopy itself is made from a lacquered PVC coated polyester and should be cleaned with hot soapy water at regular intervals to prevent dirt build up - particularly bird mess. Regularity of this cleaning will depend on the airborne dirt - e.g. effected by proximity to busy roads, industrial areas and tree sap, but as a minimum we recommend once every six months.

For the timber frame - again hot soapy water is ideal to remove the dirt build up and prevent airborne dirt sticking to the stained timber. Re-staining should be carried out annually to keep your timber in good condition.

For the aluminium frame - hot soapy water is ideal to remove the dirt build up. If any scratches or breaks in the paint develop due to general wear and tear, we recommend an enamel type paint.

6. When should I use my side walls and when should I roll them up?

The optional side walls are intended to be used for those times of heavy rain and when you are trying to retail as much heat as possible. They should be rolled up - even if your customers are using the canopy to smoke in, when the wind picks up to around 15mph. This will prevent too much lateral loading on the canopy structure and fabric walls themselves.

Alternatively - the Living screen might provide the perfect alterative - able to cope with some wind - but not prevent it all?

7. What if splits appear in the timber?

Minor splits in the timber should be expected as the wood 'moves' either drying or absorbing moisture from its environment - the natural way that wood does.

8. Where do I get replacement lamp for the heater from?

Replacement heater lamp elements are available from SCL – simply email us with your details and we can provide a price and dispatch usually within 48 hours.

9. Where do I get replacement lamps for my lights from?

Replacement lamps for your lights are available from any DIY or lighting shops - simply ask for a 240v GU10 50W lamp in white.

10. Can I add more canopies to an existing canopy installation?

Once your canopy has been installed, adding additional canopies is not possible without major work - involving a complete take down of the canopy - an altering of the connecting notes and a rebuild. In these cases it would be better to add a separate canopy - perhaps spaced apart from the first - or in another location.

11. Can I add side walls to my existing canopy installation?

Side walls can be added to an existing canopy - simply email us and we will contact you with the cost. The fabric side wall will then be dispatched to you - for you to fit.

The fitting involves sliding the fabric in place at the top ring beam side - and securing down the sides with the twist locks - that should be fixed into the timber/aluminium to match the fabric wall. Alternatively we can install the side wall for you - but there would be a fitting charge for this.

12. Can I have my pub name added to the canopy as a graphic on the outside?

Smoking canopy Ltd offer a graphic option for its customers - taking your computer artwork and liasing with a local sign writer to apply a vinyl logo - as the PVC fabric take sticky back vinyl's very well. If you don't have the computer artwork we can create this for a fee.

13. Is financing available ?

Answer here..

FAQ