Why shade is needed

Research confirms that clothing, hats and sunscreen are not 100% effective because of inadequacies in the shading of hats and clothing and in applying sunscreen. Shade can compensate and can also make more comfortable environments in creating shelter, reducing glare and/or providing relief from the heat of the sun.

How shade works

Direct and diffuse UVR

 While outdoors, we receive direct UV from sunshine but also diffuse UV which is reflected off the atmosphere (the open sky). In an open field approximately 50% would come from each source. High protective shade must use an excellent UV barrier shading material and be placed to shade the users as the sun-path moves across the sky but the view of the open sky should also be restricted. This can be done by keeping the edges low. Adjacent landscape, buildings, fences, trees and planting can be used to further reduce this 'sky view'.

Many of the 29 primary school shade structures researched had protection factors (PF) of 4 - 8 at their centre. PF4 would increase the burn-time by 4, and provide sufficient protection over a lunch hour.

Design shade for its expected use

It is important to consider the duration of expected use and also whether users are likely to be wearing hats and sunscreen. As SunSmart students will be wearing hats & possibly sunscreen for lunch-time play, shade over play equipment is providing extra protection and therefore a lower protection factor may be acceptable. Conversely, hats & sunscreen are unlikely to be applied before an hour long art class on a classroom verandah. In this case, the verandah should be carefully designed to give more protection e.g. shield the diffuse UVR from the open sky.