Canopies can crash when overloaded

Sunshades in some instances are not being used for the original purpose for which they are meant.

Sunshades could be the least dramatic things to write about, but when there is a news report in the city pages that a child died because of a sunshade collapse, we tend to sit up and look around for potential dangers. And there are many, if one were to look at things with the unusual eyes of suspicion that only accountants are famed for.

Before launching onto the exercise, we need to be clear about the meaning of sunshade. Dictionary defines the word as something, such as an awning that is used as a protection from the sun’s rays; a canopy made of canvas to shelter people or things from rain or sun. Awning is a roof-like structure, often made of canvas or plastic that serves as a shelter, as over a storefront, window, door, or deck. We see sunshades as projections above windows and doors. In otherwise nice buildings, sunshades are often the neglected and abused areas.

A common use of sunshade is to place a frightening pumpkin on top to ward off evil spirits. Nature-lovers look upon sunshades as a patch of rare surface to immediately fill with pots, even if it meant that whenever they watered these pots, water would drain off down below, trickling on heads of passers-by, and making them curse under their breath. I’d rather suggest they count their blessings because it is only water and not the pots that fell on their heads. For those habituated to throwing trash through windows, sunshades become the suspended garbage heaps with anything from cigarette butts to used latex.

“Sunshade is provided to protect rooms from slashing of rainwater inside,” explains Mr C.H.Gopinatha Rao, my architect friend. “It is a cantilevered member.” Means what, I ask. “A beam which is built in and held down by weight or otherwise securely fixed at one end and hangs freely at the other end. This corresponds to the old bracket of masonry or cast iron or timber. The normal projection is two feet. More the projection better is the protection, however the room will get less light.” So, there is a trade-off between shade and light. I ask Mr Rao why in many places sunshades seem to age faster than the building. “A common mistake committed by masons is to use only three-fourths jelly or broken mosaic chips, which results in steel bars coming down. Then, the cantilever collapses.” Never overload the sunshade, is his advice. So, instead of brickwork for facia of sunshade, use chicken-mesh; avoid mortar because it may fall apart and cause injury. Sunshades are supposed to be safe shades too. So, if you see sunshades that accommodate heavy split AC units, or where somebody has constructed an extended room on what was meant to be a simple sunshade, remember not to throw safety to the winds by seeking shelter under such shades.