Tricoshade Blog

A playground erupted into flames yesterday in Arlington, Texas due to the hot weather. A surveillance video shows the fire starting spontaneously on the playground at Anderson Elementary School. CNN reports on it and shows the video here.

No one was in the area and it is clear that the fire started from heat generated by decomposition of the wood chips and high temperatures from the recent heat wave. Within seconds the playground equipment was in flames and had melted down. 

Luckily no children were at the playground. In the future, situations like this can be avoided by installing shade structures or shade sails over playgrounds. Shade structures with porous shade cloth such as that used by Tricoshade allow the heat to rise, leaving a cool oasis underneath that is 15 - 20 degrees cooler than an exposed playground. 

Check out our playground shade page for more info or click on the images below to see more playground shade photos.

Our shade structures and outdoor canopies are featured in a show in the Fishing and Hunting of Texas section on OutdoorAction.com. The 28 minute show gives tips on fishing and taking care of boats. Included is a section describing how Trico’s shade structures can be used to protect boats and other outdoor equipment / assets from sun deterioration and hail damage.  The section is presented by one of our Texas dealers. The show can be streamed online here.

The Four Post shade structure is the most cost effective way to cover any area as the sizes range from 8’ x 8’ to 50’ x 50’ in a Pyramid roof style and rectangle areas with a Hip roof style in sizes ranging from 10’ x 12’ to 40’x 50’, therefore it is a great option for playgrounds and basketball courts.

The Four Post Structures can also be interlocked (connected together) to cover larger spans and create Six Post structures with a continuous Hip roof style.

The Double Post Cantilever should be used in areas where the post placement is a concern such as parking lots and car washes, bleachers, etc…

The Double Post Cantilever is the most practical and cost effective way to offer cover parking, shelter for gated security entrances, valet parking, and car wash tunnel bay entrances, and detail areas at car washes.

Our standard Cantilever sizes are based on standard parking spaces which are 9’ x 18’, so to cover two spaces or a double driveway use a 18’ x 18’, three spaces 18’ x 27’, and four spaces 18’ x 36’.

Interlocking the Double Post Cantilevers to cover larger spans and Single Post Cantilevers are also options where aesthetics and post placement are the customer’s top concerns.

Gunn Auto Group believes that it is better to protect their inventory from hail than to pay exhorbitant insurance premiums AND suffer business interruption.  Here is a picture of one of the seven locations that Gunn is installing hail protection structures by Trico.

Fingers are getting pointed at why was the shuttle left in the elements when everyone at the launch pad knew the storm was coming?  Is your car in the elements?