Bleacher Maintenance Checklist

By: NRS Team

Key Takeaways

  • Inspect at least once a year. Inspect bleachers and tighten bolts at least annually.
  • Bring in a professional every two years. At least biennially, a professional engineer or registered architect should inspect the bleachers.
  • Codes back this up. ICC-300 calls for a yearly inspection by a qualified person, and NFPA 102 calls for annual inspection plus a biennial inspection by a professional engineer, registered architect or manufacturer-certified individual.
  • Wear depends on type and setting. Secure portable bleachers to manufacturer specs and local building codes, and store them properly. For permanent outdoor bleachers in high-rainfall areas, consider slip-resistant surfaces.
  • Guardrail and riser openings matter. CPSC guidelines say openings should prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through.
  • Check the whole system. The checklist covers understructure, planks, guardrails, aisles, entry stairs, and ramps, platforms and wheelchair seating areas where present.

National Recreation Systems is America’s Most Trusted Bleacher Company. To continue earning that trust, we encourage all of our clients to regularly maintain their bleachers to ensure the highest level of safety for their crowds. Periodic inspection and tightening of bolts should occur at least annually and are suggested on a regular basis depending on use. In addition, at least biennially, a bleacher inspection should be performed by a professional engineer or a registered architect. 

We’ve developed two maintenance and bleacher inspection checklists for our clients to easily download below. One is for our clients with elevated bleachers and the other is for our clients with non-elevated bleachers.

Bleacher Installation and Maintenance Inspection Checklist

Wear and tear on bleachers is unique to the type of bleachers you have and their environment. If you use portable bleachers, confirm that they are secured according to manufacturer specifications and local building codes when they’re being used. When you are finished, be sure to store them properly to allow them to last. If you use permanent outdoor bleachers and live in a high-rainfall area, consider making the bleachers slip-resistant. This will help protect your crowds from unintentional slips and falls.

Bleacher Safety Regulations

The CPSC (Consumer Protection Safety Commission) has developed a series of regulations to prevent injuries on bleachers and grandstands. For example, considering guardrails, they should be designed so as not to encourage young children to climb over them. They recommend a picket fence guardrail with no more than four inches between pickets and generally any opening in guardrails should prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through.

Considering the deckboards, they recommend the addition of risers in the spaces below the seat boards and above the footboards. The riser should also prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through. The CPSC recommends you should consider having aisles and handrails and non-skid surfacing on your bleachers. This helps prevent people from falling while accessing and walking on your bleachers. 

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Bleacher Maintenance Checklist

Bleacher Understructure Inspection

  • Check for proper anchor/ground sill attachment
  • Check frame and cross brace location
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check all weld connections

Plank Inspection

  • Check for straightness
  • Check for splices/rivets
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check end caps

Guardrail Inspection

  • Check for proper location of the rail post
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check pipe connections and related fittings
  • Check splices and rivets
  • Check chainlink fabric for neatness at ends and corners
  • Check for adequate wire tie attachment

Aisles

  • Check for proper width and location
  • Check all stiffeners for proper location
  • Check end caps and rivets
  • Check aisle handrail for proper location
  • Check all bolt connections

Entry Stairs

  • Check for proper attachment to the bleacher
  • Check for proper location
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check rail pipe connections and related fittings

*If Your bleachers have a ramp, platform, or wheelchair seating areas, consider checking the following items.

Ramp and Platform

  • Check for proper attachment to bleachers
  • Check for proper location
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check pipe connections and related fittings
  • Check chainlink fabric for neatness at ends
  • Check for adequate wire tie attachments

Wheelchair Seating Areas

  • Check for proper location
  • Check all bolt connections
  • Check frame and brace location
  • Check companion seat brace location
  • Check pipe connections and related fittings
  • Check riser end caps and rivets

Bleacher Inspection Codes

INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL (ICC-300)
STANDARDS FOR BLEACHERS, FOLDING AND TELESCOPIC SEATING, AND GRANDSTANDS
SECTION 501: 501.1-2

“Existing bleachers, folding and telescopic seating, and grandstands that exist prior to the adoption of this standard shall comply with this chapter and the applicable provisions of Chapter 1… All existing tiered seating shall be inspected and evaluated at least once a year by a qualified person for the compliance with the provisions of this chapter. All folding and telescopic seating shall be inspected to evaluate compliance with the manufacturer’s installation and operational instructions, including inspection during the opening and closing of such seating.”

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY 102-2011
STANDARD FOR GRANDSTANDS, FOLDING AND TELESCOPIC SEATING
CHAPTER 6: 6.6 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF FOLDING AND TELESCOPIC SEATING

“An annual inspection and required maintenance of each grandstand shall be performed to ensure safe conditions. At least biennially, the inspection shall be performed by a professional engineer, registered architect, or individual who is certified by the manufacturer." 

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should bleachers be inspected?

At least once a year, including tightening bolts. A professional engineer or registered architect should also inspect them at least every two years.

Who is qualified to inspect bleachers?

ICC-300 requires annual inspection by a qualified person. NFPA 102 requires that, at least every two years, the inspection be done by a professional engineer, registered architect or an individual certified by the manufacturer.

What should a bleacher maintenance checklist include?

Understructure (anchors, frames, cross braces, bolts, welds), planks (straightness, splices, rivets, bolts, end caps), guardrails, aisles, entry stairs and, if you have them, ramps, platforms and wheelchair seating areas.

What are the CPSC guidelines for bleacher guardrails?

Openings in guardrails should prevent a 4-inch sphere from passing through, and guardrails should be designed to discourage children from climbing. Risers beneath seat boards should also block a 4-inch sphere.

How do I maintain portable bleachers?

Make sure they are secured to manufacturer specifications and local building codes when in use, and store them properly when you are done so they last.

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