Outdoor Smoking Shelters for Bars, Taverns & Restaurants

5 Important Issues to Think About
An outdoor smoking shelter has become a necessity where smoking has been abolished from inside public premises. Managers of public businesses have been left with the inconvenience and expense of erecting a purpose built structure that provides on behalf of their smoking guests. Leaving them faced with a dilemma that they may not have been familiar with in the past.

Before constructing a shelter you must consider 5 important issues:

1. Current Legislation  (Wisconsin Law)
An obvious prerequisite in advance of getting an outside smoking shelter is the understanding of required laws. Both location and finished design have to be checked to guarantee there aren't any hidden snags that may perhaps prevent production. Checking and double checking with the local authority is essential at the start of the project.

2.  Size and Location
Locating a space to install an outdoor smoking shelter can be more painstaking than it first looks. Certainly area size will have to be taken into account and this will be in relation to the number of customers that frequent the establishment. So an estimate of the area dimensions should be based on how many persons the shelter can cater for at the worst case scenario.

For instance smokers may resent the actuality that when raining they have to get wet due to the outside shelter not being able to fit in all the people. This is a small detail that may perhaps direct them to go somewhere else.

However because you have open space available does not mean we can build there!  Restricted open area can exist, this is area the city, town or county may not grant erecting a shelter or building.  It is critical we file the proper paperwork and work with building inspectors as soon as possible.

3. Access
Another detail that must not be overlooked is the placement of an outdoor smoking shelter. Place it in the wrong location and you may perhaps get a line of smokers beating a path through an area you'd rather they didn't.  Is it close to the kitchen, or bar in-line of your servers or food runners?  Is it in close to the main entrance where incoming guests will be greeted by smoke signals welcoming them to leave before they even get enter.  If the entrance is close to eating areas this may also have a detrimental effect on your business.

4. Weather
Is the designated location protected against rain, driving winds and snow?
Going this extra distance and thinking of your smoking clientele well might be the difference in them deciding on their favorite watering hole or restaurant.  Think about this if every establishment in your community is going smoke free that will accommodate the smokers?  Then of those establishments who will capture more clientele, the tavern with 2x4’s and plastic overhead or the bar with a smoking deck shingled roof blasting heat in the winter?

5. Materials of Construction
Each individual establishment has its own look and feel.  Do not deviate from your current surroundings unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb.  Considered an appropriate material aesthetically then think quality.  For example wooden shelters will work well in most locations the type of wood should match the current building style.  Steel construction will be more durable than a wooden and costly as well, however in an urban setting where wood just will not do.  Steel may be a better alternative.

If you need help in deciding if a smoking shelter would work for your business please give The Wooden Post a call!

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Contact The Wooden Post

Phone: 920.251.1126
Fax: 866.779.2708
Email: tim@thewoodenpost.net

Or contact us by mail:

The Wooden Post
235 East Scott Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935