#sign engineer

Tension fabric structures are used across the country in commercial, industrial, and public spaces. From large shade canopies to covered walkways, tensile membrane systems offer flexible, modern, and lightweight coverage — but they also require detailed structural planning. That’s where a National tension fabric engineer becomes essential.

At Sullaway Engineering, Inc., licensed professionals deliver structural engineering plans tailored for tension fabric installations across the U.S. With more than 40 years of experience, the firm provides stamped drawings, calculations, and permit-ready designs that help contractors and manufacturers build with confidence.

What Does a Tension Fabric Engineer Do?

A tension fabric engineer specializes in the structural elements that support and secure fabric-based systems. While the membrane (fabric) is designed for light transmission and weather protection, the steel or aluminum framing must be engineered to hold the structure safely in place — even under wind, snow, or seismic forces.

Engineers handle the following:

Design of support frames and steel posts

Base plate and anchoring system specifications

Wind, snow, and seismic load calculations

Structural analysis for canopy, awning, or sail tension

Permit-ready drawings stamped by a licensed PE

Every project must meet strict local and national building codes. The engineer’s role is to ensure the structure remains durable, code-compliant, and safe over time.

National Engineering Coverage

Sullaway Engineering, Inc. offers structural engineering services across the entire United States. As a National tension fabric engineer, the firm prepares plans that meet regional requirements in all states — including California’s seismic regulations, coastal wind zones in Florida, and snow load requirements in northern regions.

Because the firm is licensed in multiple states, clients working on nationwide rollouts, franchise builds, or large property upgrades can depend on one team for all structural planning needs.

Types of Tension Fabric Structures Engineered

Sullaway Engineering works with manufacturers, contractors, and commercial property developers to deliver structural plans for a wide range of fabric-covered systems, including:

Shade Canopies

Walkway Covers

Tension Sail Structures

Covered Entryways

Membrane Roof Extensions

Steel-Framed Carports or Covered Lots

Freestanding or Wall-Mounted Fabric Structures

These structures may be temporary or permanent, freestanding or attached to buildings. In each case, the engineering design is tailored to match the size, shape, materials, and mounting method used.

Permit-Ready Structural Plans

Every tension fabric structure requires a building permit — and permit offices require stamped structural plans. Sullaway Engineering provides drawings and calculations that comply with the International Building Code (IBC) and local regulations.

Permit plans typically include:

Structural layout and framing plan

Footing and base plate details

Connection design for posts, rafters, or cables

Calculations for wind, snow, and seismic loads

Material specifications (steel, concrete, anchors)

Stamped engineering approval from a licensed PE

Having the correct plans in hand means fewer delays, fewer revisions, and faster project approvals.

Who Needs a National Tension Fabric Engineer?

Sullaway Engineering supports a wide variety of clients across commercial and construction sectors. Those who commonly need tension fabric engineering include:

Tension fabric manufacturers and resellers

General contractors and installation crews

Architects and designers

National retail and restaurant chains

Schools, cities, and public facility managers

Whether the project is a single canopy or part of a multi-site buildout, Sullaway delivers consistent, efficient service across the country.

Why Choose Sullaway Engineering, Inc.?

With decades of experience and a client-first approach, Sullaway Engineering, Inc. is trusted by professionals in construction, signage, commercial development, and more. Their team understands the structural needs of tension fabric systems and provides engineering that’s both fast and reliable.

Why clients prefer Sullaway:

Licensed Engineers with multi-state coverage

Clear Drawings that installers and builders can use easily

Fast Turnaround Times to keep projects moving

Affordable Fixed Pricing with no hidden costs

Reliable Code Compliance for fast permit approval

Nationwide Service from one expert source

For clients managing multiple locations or needing fast, professional service across state lines, Sullaway’s national coverage is a major advantage.

Final Thoughts

Tension fabric structures may look lightweight, but their stability relies on solid structural engineering. Without properly designed supports, anchoring systems, and load calculations, even a simple canopy could fail under stress.

That’s why working with a skilled and licensed National tension fabric engineer is essential. With Sullaway Engineering, Inc., clients receive structural plans that are accurate, code-compliant, and accepted in jurisdictions throughout the country.

In case of big tent design or the structure that is covered with a fabric surface, engineering plays a significant role than many would imagine. It is not a temporary shelter but will have to follow certain structural and safety codes. That is why you can get reliable services in Sullaway Engineering, Inc. who may want a qualified structural engineer on tents and tension fabric structures.

Our area of expertise is structural engineering on special installations that fail to meet specifications of common buildings. Whether it is a commercial tent structure, a semi-permanent event pavilion, or a tension fabric display we work closely with your project to help you obtain city permits, access code requirements as well as stability of the structure under wind and climatic conditions.

Who We Serve

Sullaway Engineering, Inc. has a nationwide presence in the United States via contractors, tent manufacturers and architects, and event professionals. You might be putting up a big outdoor tent at a festival, constructing a semi-permanent canopy on a sports venue, or even a fabric structure used commercially, we can provide engineering to suit your needs.

We are licensed across states and we know how to deal with tough matters of codes from local jurisdiction. We specifically coordinate our services to both temporary and permanent tent installations; not only with engineering drawings but with calculations providing engineering loads, anchoring systems and sealed drawings to be submitted to the requirements of the permit.

Why You Need a Structural Engineer for Tents

Although tents might appear to be basic on the surface, you will want to address the issue of safety when you are working with wider spans or more permanent-like models. The long-term performance of these structures is influenced by wind loads, tension of the material, anchoring points as well as the condition of the soil. Proper design of tents. A qualified design engineer of structures will consider these elements well and will have made you analyze that your structure does not become a point of danger to people or properties.

At Sullaway Engineering, Inc., we offer precise and compliant engineering to help get your tent project approved without delay. Cities and counties often require signed and sealed drawings for these installations. Without them, projects are delayed or rejected. We help you avoid that.

Our Process

We begin every project by gathering site-specific information such as size, location, expected loads, and ground conditions. From there, we provide detailed calculations and structural drawings tailored to your application. These include:

Wind and load analysis

Foundation or anchoring design

Framing and connection details

Sealed drawings for permit approval

Our goal is to make the process simple, fast, and accurate — so you can stay focused on building.

What Sets Us Apart

Unlike general engineering firms, Sullaway Engineering, Inc. focuses exclusively on signage, specialty structures, and display-related engineering. That includes tents, freestanding signs, canopies, and similar installations. This narrow focus allows us to move faster and more efficiently, while still maintaining high accuracy and compliance with national and local codes.

We work closely with clients throughout the entire process and ensure every plan we deliver is ready for submission. Our communication is responsive, our timelines are dependable, and our pricing is fair. That’s why contractors and companies across the U.S. trust us with repeat work.

Get Expert Help for Your Tent Structure

If you're planning to install a tension fabric structure, canopy, or event tent, don’t take chances with safety or permit issues. Work with a licensed structural engineer for tents who understands the requirements and delivers the documents needed for hassle-free approval.

Sullaway Engineering, Inc. welcomes you as your specialized national supplier of structural engineering of signage. When you are looking for a reputable structural engineer to take up the pole sign work, you have come to the right channel. We are a group of such licensed, experienced people who only specialize in the structural design and certification of signs and display systems.

These signs will go on the pole, and we recognize that when it comes to pole signs, appearance is not the only concern, but the structure has to be sound as far as engineering standards and building requirements are concerned. This is the reason that our services are tailored in a manner that they are as safe as they are compliant to your sign installations in the United States.

About Us

Sullaway Engineering, Inc. is a certified company that practises professional structural engineering and has authorization to practice in several states in the U.S. Anthony Sullaway was a licensed structural engineer who had many years experience in the design and certification of sign structures and he was the founder of our company.

We offer signs and specialty display structures only and these include pole signs, wall signs, monument signs and tension fabric systems. The specialized niche has given us the privilege to gain sufficient experience in the specifications, codes, and standards of the signage engineering.

Be it the manufacture of signs, contractor, property manager or business owner, our work is to provide fast and correct engineering services on your signage projects.

What Is a Structural Engineer Pole Sign Expert?

Pole sign design structural engineer A pole sign design structural engineer is a licensed individual who is involved in seeing that freestanding signage structures are safe to use, steady, and do not go against local and national building codes.

The complexity of pole signs can be any uptown and uninstalled single-post sign, or double-pole signage placed on shopping malls, gas stations, and highways. These signs should be designed in such a way that it sustains loads of wind, earthquakes and endures long periods of exposure to the weather.

At Sullaway Engineering, Inc., we provide:

Custom structural design for new pole signs

Engineering analysis for existing signs

Wind load and foundation calculations

Engineering certification for permits

Fast turnaround and nationwide service

Our Pole Sign Engineering Services

Our team has worked on thousands of pole sign projects across the country. Whether you're building a new sign or replacing an old one, we provide the full scope of engineering services you need.

✔ Structural Design

We create detailed structural designs for your pole sign based on location-specific code requirements. Each design is customized for load resistance, size, height, and sign configuration.

✔ Wind Load Calculations

Wind load is one of the most important factors in pole sign design. We calculate region-specific loads to make sure your sign can safely withstand weather conditions.

✔ Engineering Certification

All of our drawings and calculations are sealed by a licensed structural engineer for pole sign projects. These documents are ready for submission to local building departments for permit approval.

✔ Project Support

From pre-design consultation to final documentation, we support sign companies and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.

Why Choose Sullaway Engineering, Inc.?

✅ Sign-Focused Expertise

Unlike the general engineering companies, we specialize in our sole business of signs and specialty structures. This enables us to know all the obstacles that your pole sign project will encounter.

✅ Nationwide Experience

Our milestone in the field of engineering has been working in all 50 states of the U.S. making us a truly national structured engineering company. We are aware of the local requirements and the geographical conditions no matter where your sign is being placed.

✅ Fast Turnaround

Our milestone in the field of engineering has been working in all 50 states of the U.S. making us a truly national structured engineering company. We are aware of the local requirements and the geographical conditions no matter where your sign is being placed.

✅ Code Compliance

Our architectural designs adhere to or are even better than the national and local building codes. Since we have to deal with the International Building Code (IBC), local wind maps, and permit requirements to make sure that your project will work out satisfactorily, and partnership will be smooth.

Who We Work With

Sullaway Engineering, Inc. is proud to work with a variety of professionals in the signage industry, including:

Sign manufacturers

Sign installers

Architects

Developers

National retail brands

Property managers

Franchise owners

Whether your pole sign is part of a one-time project or a multi-location rollout, we have the experience and capacity to support your engineering needs.

Areas of Application

We engineer pole signs for:

Shopping centers

Retail outlets

Gas stations

Office parks

Hotels

Schools and universities

Government buildings

Each site is reviewed for wind exposure, soil conditions, and structural design needs to deliver a safe, efficient solution.

Let’s Get Started

Sullaway engineering, Inc. is a qualified, experienced structural engineer pole sign expert that you need to contact today. We have a responsive team that stands to offer design, certification, and engineering documentation services of your upcoming sign.

We will assist you in making your sign project come true, safely, lawfully, and professionally.

📍 Contact Information:

Sullaway Engineering, Inc.