Frequently Asked Questions about Bear-Resistant Metal Enclosures

1. What is meant by a Bear-Resistant garbage enclosure?
A Bear-Resistant enclosure is one that is built in such a way as to consistently and effectively prevent intrusion by bears and other wildlife. Bear-Resistant enclosures are constructed of heavy-gauge metal, all panels are welded, doors must incorporate a bear-proof locking mechanism and doors must be recessed and have a minimum of a 1-inch rollover-return around the perimeter. Close tolerances
around the doors must be maintained to prevent bears from gaining a claw-hold and tearing them off.
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2. Why do I need a metal garbage enclosure; aren’t wooden ones just as effective?
Wooden enclosures generally cannot stand up to bears clawing at the doors and wooden siding. A large hungry bear can easily destroy a wooden enclosure. Wooden enclosures require maintenance, painting, and reinforcement to withstand the harsh outdoor environment over time and are subject to post rotting and termites.
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3. I already have a wooden enclosure; can I continue to use it?  Are metal enclosures required?
In many areas, using an existing wooden enclosure is permissible as long as it prevents bears from reaching the garbage. In some areas, if a homeowner has been cited for garbage spills or is in violation of local ordinances, the county will require him to replace his wooden shelter with a metal one. Many neighborhoods now encourage or require homeowners to install metal trash enclosures in order to stop the spread of garbage.
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4. This is our vacation home and we are here only occasionally; Do I need a metal enclosure?
Rental homes and part-time homeowners are most susceptible to garbage problems caused by bears. Vacationers and renters usually place their trash outside when they leave regardless of the trash collection day, thereby enabling dogs, raccoons and bears to have easy access to the garbage. Most rental agencies require homeowners to purchase metal enclosures before the agency will agree to manage the rental of their home.
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5. If I purchase a metal enclosure, are there any local or homeowner requirements?
County regulatory requirements vary from county to county. The manufacturer or the installer of your shelter can inform you of your county’s requirements. It is advisable to check with your local county’s Public Works Dept. for clarification.
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6. How do I dispose of my existing wooden shelter?
Wooden enclosures are usually dismantled by the installer and hauled away to the local landfill at an additional cost.
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7. How long will a metal enclosure last? Is maintenance required?
A well-built enclosure such as the BearGuard™ shelter should last fifteen years or longer with little or no maintenance. The only maintenance a BearGuard™ shelter ever requires is a drop of oil on the hinges and latch once a year to keep the locking mechanism working well. Our interior and exterior surfaces are finished with a high-tech Urethane and Polyester Electro statically-applied Powder Coat finish and cured in high temperature ovens which bake the coating permanently onto all surfaces. A BearGuard™ shelter can be cleaned with a water hose when needed.
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8. What are the design requirements for a well-built metal trash enclosure?
High-quality bear-resistant enclosures should be built of 12, 14 or heavier-gauge steel.

• Should incorporate a proven bear-proof locking mechanism, preferably flat-surface mounted
• Must include an inside child safety door release handle to ensure that a child will never become accidentally entrapped inside of the shelter
• Reinforced doors for additional strength
• Tolerances around door openings should be kept to minimums, with rolled return edges around the entire door making it impossible for a bear to obtain a claw-hold
• Front-opening doors to load and unload trash cans ( Top-loading enclosures allow snow to build up over the doors and freeze shut in winter )
• Adequate door height to enable the owner to place trash bags into the containers without having to pull or remove containers from the enclosure
• Should have vents or louvers for air circulation
• Should be mounted 16 to 18 inches above the ground on a heavy-duty steel mounting post for year-round access
• Should have a dormer roof or rear-pitched roof to shed water and snow to the sides or back of shelter
• Floor design should allow for drainage of rain water

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9. How does the BearGuard™ metal enclosure differ from other enclosures?
Is one enclosure better than another? YES! Not all enclosures are designed or built with the same care. You will have your enclosure for 15 years or longer and its purchase represents a significant investment. Before you purchase any enclosure, consider and compare the overall workmanship:

• Check for proper door alignment
• How well do the door tolerances fit?
• Can a bear get its claws over the edge of the doors and spring them because the doors don’t have rolled return edges?
• Is the door handle easy to operate?
• Does the latch function properly?
• Are all panels riveted and welded to maintain precise alignment and to strengthen the overall structural of the enclosure?
• Does the shelter have a Powder Coat finish? Cheaper enclosures use liquid paint over galvanized steel without primer and can allow the paint to blister and the metal to rust due to improper surface preparation
• Some enclosures will have rusted areas where water has been standing on the bottom floor
• Confirm that the enclosure is deep enough to hold two standard 33-gallon trash cans without having to turn the handles at a 45-degree angle in order to close the doors
• Does the enclosure have air vents and louvers for air circulation?
• Most importantly, make sure the enclosure you purchase has an Inside Child Safety Door Release Handle, for your peace of mind as well as for reasons of liability

BearGuard™ was the first manufacturer of metal shelters to incorporate an Inside Child Safety Door Release Handle in our enclosures, as well as all of the other above features for safety, convenience and durability.
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10. What is the advantage of GalXC™ steel compared to Galvanized sheet metal?
The BearGuard™ enclosure is constructed using GalXC™ steel for a number of reasons:

1. GalXC™ steel has a superior smooth surface for protection against rusting.
2. GalXC™ steel will not crack when the metal is formed in a press with right angle bends.
3 . GalXC™ steel will not crack, peel or flake off like Galvanized metal will do.
4. GalXC™ steel was formulated especially for use with Powder Coat finishes.

11. What is the advantage of Powder Coat Finish?
Powder coating affords a superior finish for the harsh environment of higher altitudes where ultra-violet light affects ordinary liquid paint.

• Powder Coating does not require repainting.
• Powder Coating is a finish which is cured in high temperature ovens and fuses the finish to the surface of the GalXC™ steel, acting like an armor coat.
• Powder Coating is the most durable finish available and most resistant to scratches
• Powder Coating is an environmentally-friendly and safe process which provides an attractive, durable and maintenance-free appearance.

12. Does BearGuard™ offer a warranty?
Yes. All BearGuard™ enclosures have a standard one-year parts warranty.
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13. How is the BearGuard™ enclosure mounted?
The BearGuard™ enclosure is mounted using a Uni-Pod structural steel mounting post with two rigid, full-length cross members that secure the enclosure to the stand with 4 mounting bolts. The Uni-Pod post allows the enclosure to stand 18 inches above ground level with the post mounted in concrete below ground level, securing the enclosure Rock-Solid.
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14. Can an enclosure be set or mounted on the ground?
Generally speaking, most county codes require that trash enclosures be mounted 18 inches above ground level. It is best to consult with your local county building dept. for further details.
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15. How many trash cans does a BearGuard™ enclosure hold?
BearGuard™ enclosures hold 2 of the 33-gallon trash cans or 3 of the 30-gallon rectangular cans. In addition, there is adequate space above the trash cans to place recycling bags.
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16. Is a single-can enclosure available or less expensive?
Single can enclosures cost the same to manufacture as double can enclosures do and they have little or no room inside to place recycling bags.
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17. What do I do with my recyclables like paper, glass and tin cans?
The BearGuard™ enclosure’s interior space allows the owner to place recyclable bags above the containers inside the shelter.
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18. Will the trash company check each time to see if there is garbage to be collected?
Trash companies are required to check all enclosures for garbage on a regular basis. Drivers carry their own keys for convenient access to all metal enclosures.
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19. How secure is the BearGuard™ enclosure?
BearGuard™ enclosures are manufactured and assembled in a High-Tech metal fabrication facility and built to ISO 9000-2000 Certified Standards. Our customers tell us that their BearGuard™ metal trash enclosures have provided outstanding protection from bears, dogs, raccoons, mountain lions, elk and even Florida alligators. Hundreds of people have bought BearGuard™ enclosures, and we are proud to be able to say that we’ve never had anyone tell us they weren’t pleased with the performance of their BearGuard™. Our finest references come from previous customers. Ask someone who owns a BearGuard™!
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