Aluminum Bleachers 101
Though aluminum bleachers could be considered the standard in sideline seating, there&rsquo,s an incredible variety to choose from. Options range from 3-row bleachers to 15-row bleachers to grandstands. There&rsquo,s tip and roll, elevated and standard angle. We offer convenient Tip-n-Roll portable bleachers to deploy easily for special event seating or when it',s time to take the show on the road. Our 5-row and 10-row Transportable Bleacher Systems can be hooked to a trailer hitch and towed anywhere.
Need help determining the type of indoor or outdoor bleachers is appropriate for your venue?
Aluminum bleachers are the ideal seating arrangement for any event. They come in a number of sizes, depending on what the event or area limitations may be. They can also come in several styles. Whatever the event, aluminum bleachers are an excellent way to maximize the number of viewers for a particular space. If you do not see a size that meets your needs please do not hesitate to contact us as we build custom units that accommodate ADA requirements, and we also have the ability to build grandstands.
How do I determine what size bleachers I need?
The most important question is &ldquo,How many spectators will be seated?&rdquo, Industry standard for seating is that one seat is equal to 18&rdquo,. Let&rsquo,s take a look at the formula below to calculate whether your customer&rsquo,s request for a 3-row, 15-foot bleacher unit will seat their requested 25 spectators:
Start by converting the length to inches to make calculation easier. Let&rsquo,s start with 15&rsquo, and converting that to inches: 15 X 12 =180&rdquo, (15 feet is equal to 180 inches.)
18&rdquo, is equal to 1 seat, so we divide the result by 18&rdquo, to calculate the number of seats in a row. 180/18=10. Now we know that there&rsquo,s 10 seats to a row. Next we multiply the number of seats in a row by the number of rows in a unit. 10 X 3=30. Therefore, 3-row by 15&rsquo, bleacher unit will seat 30 spectators. (See our Bleacher Size Chart here)
Are transportable bleachers approved to go on the highway?
NO. Portable aluminum bleachers are meant to be moved utilizing a transport kit that hooks up to a standard trailer hitch and is transported either via riding lawn mower or tractor. These units are meant to be transported SHORT DISTANCES and not on the highway.
What is the standard lead time for indoor or outdoor bleacher s?
All of our 3 and 4-row bleacher systems ship in 48 hours or less. The larger systems, such as 5-row units, ship in 2 weeks or less, and the 10 and 15-row units ship in 3-4 weeks. If your customer is facing a deadline and must have product sooner, we can be flexible when required.
How do bleachers ship? How are they packaged?
Our bleachers ship unassembled via LTL carrier. Due to the standard length of these products, they are not palletized but are packaged in manageable bundles. All of the seat boards are packaged in bundles of 5, all footboards are packaged in bundles of 5, the understructure framing is packaged in bundles of 3 and all hardware comes boxed. Please contact us regarding questions about installation.
Do we sell replacement planking or parts?
Yes. If you or your customer has an existing unit that was purchased from us and is in need of replacement parts or accessories, we can accommodate their needs. Contact your sales representative to put together a quote for the part requirements.
Are standard bleachers ADA accessible?
Due to each county and state having different ADA regulations, an ADA unit is considered custom and will be quoted and fabricated based on the state/county that the customer is located in. If the customer is in the state of California, for example, there must be prior DSA approval in order to determine the ADA requirements. Standard units are not considered ADA accessible.
Bleacher Safety
Everyone enjoys a ball game once in a while. Whether the occasion is a son or daughter&rsquo,s game or even one at the professional level, sometimes it&rsquo,s a tough task to stay focused for so many hours. Park and bleacher safety should always be advocated. We strongly advise our bleacher customers to build awareness regarding the following issues:
- Make announcements or post a sign stating &ldquo,Keep your Eyes on the Ball&rdquo,. This will help minimize the number of serious injuries while attending a game. Taking your eyes off the field can be very dangerous especially in a smaller setting with fewer people in attendance.
- Running on indoor or outdoor bleachers must be prohibited. Make sure to communicate how dangerous this behavior can be and how it can result in serious injury.
- This brings us to &ldquo,Slippery when Wet.&rdquo, Aluminum can become extremely slippery especially when wet. Rain or sprinklers on outdoor bleachers or spilled sodas inside can all cause slipping. Post a warning.
Protecting Aluminum Bleachers
At schools some minor vandalism and normal wear and tear of equipment is expected. But major acts of theft and vandalism are not. That is why it was shocking one day when students and staff at a California school returned to find that a large section of the baseball field bleachers were stolen during the summer break. According to local news, the crime was the work of metal thieves who get paid for the aluminum by recyclers.
This is why it is important for owners to take preventative measures to fight theft to avoid having to replace their aluminum bleachers. The metal from stolen bleachers is sold as scrap to recyclers looking to capitalize on the ever-rising value of raw metals. In fact, bleacher thieves will often cut the stolen bleachers into smaller pieces and mix it in with legitimate scrap metal to produce what looks to be genuine construction debris. Aluminum bleacher owners may want to consider marking their bleachers so that if they are ever a victim of a theft, it is difficult to mix their bleachers in with other scrap metal. They should also consider doing the same with picnic tables, benches, bike racks and other metal site furnishings. All of those items are just as susceptible to theft
How to find sponsors for your bleachers
Many of our customers face tight budgets these days and while they have a real demand for new bleachers, they struggle to find funding. Whether you are buying bleachers for a school, municipal field, equestrian facility or any other venue, chances are there are sponsorship opportunities. We at The Park Catalog have noticed a growing trend in printed windscreen sales for facilities with bleachers. Every professional sports franchise sells their audience to sponsors. You will see billboards and banners just about everywhere. Budweiser wants you drinking their beer, Doritos eating their snacks, etc. You can do the same with local and regional companies.
We offer a variety of printed windscreen products that can be used as advertising and sponsorship vehicles to raise money for your facility. Some are designed to wrap the understructure of your new bleachers, while others area easily fasten to chain link fences around your facility. Call The Park Catalog and our professional representatives can help you with your sponsorship program.
**IMPORTANT ALUMINUM BLEACHERS BUILDING CODE INFORMATION**
2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE COMPLIANT
IBC CODE SECTION 1003
Section 1003.2.12 - Guards. Guards shall be located along open-sided walking surfaces, platforms and landings which are located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. Guards shall also be located along sides of stairways and landings that are located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below.
IBC CODE SECTION 1004
Section 1004.3.1 - Aisles. Aisles shall be provided with exits from all occupied portions which contains seats. Aisles serving reviewing stands, grandstands and bleachers shall also comply with Section 1008. See below
IBC CODE SECTION 1008
Section 1008.8. - Exceptions. An aisle is not required in seating facilities where all of the following conditions exist:
1.Seats are without backrests.
2.The rise from row to row does not exceed 6 inches per row.
3.The row spacing does not exceed 28 inches.
4.The first seating board is not more than 12 inches above the ground.
5.Seat boards have a continuous flat surface.
6.Seat boards provide a walking surface with a minimum width of 11 inches.
7.Seating is not restricted by rails or guards.
Assembly aisles are required. Every occupied portion of any occupancy in Group A that contains seats shall be provided with aisles leading to exits in accordance with this section.
Section 1008.13.3 - Guards at the end of aisles. A fascia or railing system complying with the guard requirements of Section 1003.2.12 shall be provided for the full width of the aisle where the foot of the aisle is more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below. The railing shall be a minimum of 36 inches high and shall provide a minimum 42 inches between the top of the rail and the nosing of the nearest tread.
Section 1008.14 - Bleacher footboards. Bleacher footboards shall be provided for rows of seat above the third row or positioned at such a point where the seating plank is more than 24 inches above the ground or floor below. Where footboards are more than 30 inches above grade, openings between the seat and footboards shall not allow the passage of a sphere greater than 4 inches.
If the bleachers you are buying do not meet these requirements then they are not IBC Compliant.
If a company is giving you these options for purchase as an alternative, then they are not 2012 IBC Compliant. The main reasoning behind IBC is to protect you and your facility as a liability and to protect all spectators that come to your facility to attend an event. Call 1-800-695-3503 or write sales@theparkcatalog.com in regard to any questions on IBC compliance for aluminum bleachers.
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