Certified Vs Non-certified Carports

By Author: K. Keen
Total Articles: 1
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News reports nationwide are reporting record low temperatures, snowfall and winds that crush or topple carports this winter. In December alone, a quick internet search showed nearly identical news headlines in Morganton, NC, Texoma, TX, and Phoenix, AZ - all coupled with photos or videos of crumpled or overturned metal carports atop now-damaged cars.

Fortunately (or rather, unfortunately if you happen to be one of those Morganton, Texoma or Phoenix auto owners) this scenario is easily avoidable. A quick check with the local municipal building department and few extra dollars to have your carport certified for area average snow and wind loads makes for a much stronger, safer and more durable structure. Noncertified carports typically are planted into the ground with 3-foot rebar drive anchors. Certified metal carports instead are secured with mobile home anchors and come with a set of engineering blueprints with information on wind and snow load capabilities. Many carport and garage builders offer different engineering and pricing packages for certified and uncertified structures, and certified structures often carry ...
... warranty benefits not offered with uncertified products.

Certified carports are engineered to withstand heavy winds of specified speeds, typically 110mph, 130 and 150 mph. Different city, county and state building permitting regulations are determined by an area's climate. For instance, folks in Oak Ridge, TN, America's least windy city with an average wind speed of just 4.1mph according the National Climactic Data Center (NCDC), don't have to worry much about a wind picking up and tossing a noncertified carport. But coastal Florida and North Carolina residents who have been through a hurricane season or two know the value of a solidly planted structure.

Snow load regulations also vary. Obviously, this is where the Sunshine State gets a break. But residents of Blue Canyon, CA, which the NCDC lists as America's snowiest city with an average 240.3 inches of snowfall annually will definitely want a high snow load capacity when they choose a new carport. Certified carports are engineered for varying PSF loads, referring to the pounds per square foot of snow that a structure can handle. Snow load certification for carports include:

10 Pounds PSF Live or Ground Snow Load - Generally refers to rain fall.
20 Pounds PSF Live or Ground Snow Load - Moderate Snow Fall or Minimum for Carports.
25 Pounds PSF Ground Snow Load - Moderate Snow Fall.
30 Pounds PSF Ground Snow Load - Moderate to Heavy Snow Fall.
40 Pounds PSF Ground Snow Load - Heavy Mountain Snow Fall.
50 Pounds PSF Ground Snow Load - High Mountain Snow Fall.
60 Pounds PSF Ground Snow Load - Extreme High Mountain Snow Fall.

The term live load refers to a variable force, like snowfall, exerted on a structure as opposed to dead load, which refers to a constant force such as the weight of the structure's trusses or roof.

To make sure your new carport is in compliance with local regulations, call your city or county building department. When discussing snow loads, be sure to ask whether the figures they provide are for ground snow load or design snow load, as these figures mean different things for engineers. Note that most municipalities require certification for carports in more dense residential areas, whereas carports erected in low-density, rural areas to cover farm equipment, for instance, may not require certification. A word to the wise: Failure to comply with certification requirements may result a knock on your door by a permitting or code enforcement official telling you that the new carport you just paid good money to build must come down.

Even if your municipality does not require certification for your new carport, it may prove a wise investment. For instance, if your uncertified carport topples onto your neighbor's automobile, you may be financially responsible for damages. Also, many carport builders offer long-term warranties on certified structures, but limited or no warranties on uncertified carports. And the extra cost for certification may not be as high as you think. A quick internet search turned up a two-car metal carport measuring 18'x21'x6' for $920 non-certified, $1,120 certified.

Florida-based Carport Empire (www.carportempire.com) is a nationwide provider of metal carports and can answer any questions you may have about the pros and cons of certified and noncertified carports.