How to Check If Your Bleachers Meet Code Requirements
When you look out over your bleachers and see them full of spectators, you can’t help but feel excited. Bleachers are the place where memories are made and where crowds gather to watch the first big game of the season or an exciting spectator event. They are the key seating areas at most stadiums and gymnasiums — and for that reason, it’s crucial that bleachers are always well maintained.
Bleachers that are not up to code or seem structurally unsafe, should be inspected or even replaced in order to avoid any risks. We’ve put together a few tips to help ensure your bleachers meet code requirements.
Install Bleachers Correctly
As you might have imagined, the key to bleacher safety starts with proper installation. It is recommended to install your bleacher unit in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the location of your bleachers, building codes may vary from site to site. It is the responsibility of the customer to verify local code requirements, so be prepared to gather this information ahead of installation.
Inspect Bleachers Regularly
According to the International Code Council (ICC), existing bleachers, folding and telescopic seating, and grandstands should be inspected and evaluated at least once a year by a qualified person. More specifically, it is recommended that bleacher seating is inspected by a professional engineer, registered architect, or individual who is certified by the manufacturer.
For folding and telescopic seating, inspections should include compliance with the manufacturer's installation and operational instructions, as well as an inspection during the opening and closing of the seating.
In addition to the ICC, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) also states that an inspection and required maintenance should be performed once a year to help keep crowds safe in grandstands and bleachers. The NFPA’s standards for grandstands and bleachers are made to help designers, construction managers, etc. implement the most up-to-date requirements necessary to keep spectators safe.
Learn more about bleacher codes by talking with your bleacher manufacturer.
Maintain & Repair Bleachers
Upon inspection, bleachers are evaluated on whether they are structurally sound and safe to use. During this time, some maintenance or repairs may be recommended. With that said, it’s important to perform periodic maintenance to keep your bleachers in the best shape possible. Below, we’ve put together a small list of maintenance checks you can prepare for your next inspection.
Bleacher Structure
The overall integrity of a bleacher’s structure is crucial to it being able to safely support its occupants. Bleacher structures that are not maintained could have serious consequences, so it is important to perform routine checks in order to ensure it’s in proper working condition.
When reviewing a bleacher’s structure, ensure components or fasteners are not broken, damaged, badly deteriorated, or even missing. Bleachers should sit uniformly on the ground to safely secure the structure from movement. The bleacher system should also use weather resistant and durable materials to keep the structure from corrosion. With that in mind, the following is a list of other maintenance checks that are important to a bleacher’s structure.
- Check for proper anchor/ground still attachment
- Check frame and crossbrace location
- Check all bolt connections
- Check all weld connections
If you fear your bleacher structure is in need of renovation, we offer aluminum bleacher repair parts and components. Think your bleachers are past the point of repair or maintenance? Check out our site to find options for aluminum bleachers, portable bleachers, accessible bleachers, and high capacity bleachers.
Guardrails
Depending on the height of your bleachers, guardrails may be required. Guardrails are required in areas with open-sided walking surfaces that are 30 inches or more above the floor or grade below. With that said, it’s important for bleachers with guardrails to review the following guardrail maintenance checklist.
- Check proper location of rail post
- Check all bolt connections
- Check pipe connections and related fittings
- Check splices / rivets
- Check chain link fabric for neatness at ends and corners
- Check for adequate wire tie attachment
At NRS, you can find bleachers with guardrails on structures as small as our 5-row bleachers, which can seat up to 100 spectators. If you’re looking for bleachers without guardrails, check out our 3-row bleachers.
Aisles
Bleachers with a larger seating capacity will likely have open walking areas like aisles. Bleacher aisles make it easier for spectators to navigate through crowds to their respective seats. During a maintenance check on bleacher aisles, be sure to review the following list.
- Check for proper width and location
- Check for all stiffeners for proper location
- Check end caps/installed/rivets
- Check aisle handrail for proper location
- Check all bolt connections
To find bleachers with aisles, check out our deluxe models for smaller seating areas or our high capacity bleachers for larger, stadium-sized seating areas.
Wheelchair Seating Areas
Bleachers with wheelchair seating areas not only need to meet ADA accessibility requirements, but they also need to undergo regular maintenance checks. The following are examples of maintenance checks for 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 / rivets
The ADA Series Bleachers at NRS feature ADA compliant wheelchair seating areas with options for a chain link or vertical picket guardrail system
While the maintenance checklists above are not exhaustive, you can reference them in full by reviewing our Elevated Bleacher Maintenance Checklist and our Non Elevated Bleacher Maintenance Checklist for more information.
Performing regular maintenance is the best way to ensure your bleachers last for many years to come.
Need New Bleachers? Contact National Recreation Systems
If you’re worried about whether or not your bleachers are up to code, talk with one of our experts, and we can get you the information you need. At NRS, we not only offer aluminum bleachers and grandstands of varying sizes, but we also help with bleacher renovations.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our products and how we can help get your bleachers up to code.