bleacher inspection Archives - Carroll Seating Company

Published: 7 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

Bleachers seem to be an increasing staple in today’s headlines. From high school sports facilities to professional ones, bleachers are presenting an ever-growing risk to those who attend big events, and that has meant a change in policy for many organizations. Thanks to the real dangers associated with these flexible seating choices, regular inspections and quick replacement of damaged parts have become an absolute must.

What Does An Inspection Involve?

If you haven’t yet had your bleachers inspected, there’s no better time. Bleacher inspections can help prevent real problems before they happen, and they’re easier than you think to schedule. You can have your bleacher installation company come out and inspect them or another licensed inspector. While there, your bleacher inspector will be looking at a number of different aspects. He or she will look at the general structural condition of the bleachers, searching to decide whether adequate bearing is provided, the components and systems are working like they should, and there’s no sign of corrosion or rot on any part of the structure. He or she will also make certain that no components of the system are broken, damaged, deteriorated, or missing. In addition to this general inspection, though, guardrails are typically examined, as are the openings on the side of the bleachers. Your inspector will make certain only trained staff members operate the bleachers and that inspection documentation is kept on file.

How Often Should Bleacher Inspections Occur? We recommend reviewing ICC 300 Chapter 5, Section 501.2 on bleacher inspection. It says,

“All existing tiered seating shall be inspected and evaluated at least once a year by a qualified person for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. All folding and telescopic seating shall be inspected to evaluate compliance with the manufacture’s installation and operational instructions, including an inspection during the opening and closing of such seating.”

The Next Steps

If anything is found to be amiss during an official inspection or just one by your own internal staff, you’ll need to order replacement parts to help take care of the problem. We can help. Whether you need a rowlock, a rail socket, better wall ties, or something as simple as a nut or bolt, we have the parts you need in stock right away. What’s more, though, is that we’ll even help to get them installed so that you’re ready for your next big event.

Bleacher safety has to be one of your biggest priorities for the upcoming season, and we can help make sure you’re ready. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive bleacher safety options.

Published: 22 July 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

Fall sports are just around the corner. Have you started bleacher inspections yet? There are few maintenance tasks that should rank quite as high on your list. Thanks to some highly publicized incidents in the past few years, ensuring your bleachers are safe for athletes and patrons alike is an absolute must. Here are a few things to consider.

Start With a Good Cleaning – The single best thing you can do to start is make sure you clean the bleachers themselves. It will give you a better way to spot any problems on the decking, the framework, or the area below the bleachers.

Check the Hardware – It’s essential to check all of the hardware and fasteners on your bleachers to make sure that they’re tightened as they should be. It’s not unheard of to notice a missing piece here or there, and you’ll want to know that before that first big game so you don’t create any weak points.

Lubricate as Necessary – If you have any contact moving parts, and on fixed outdoor bleachers, you likely don’t, you’ll want to lubricate those on a regular basis and check any rollers to ensure they’re functioning correctly.

Review Safety Features – Your bleachers have built in safety systems including anti-slip flooring choices, guardrails, and aisle handrails. Take a look at each of those and make sure they’re functioning properly.

Let Us Help!

At Carroll Seating Company, we’re here to help make the process of bleacher inspection an easy one. We’ll walk you through the entire process, even making the repairs where necessary if you prefer not to handle the task on your own. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make certain your bleachers are ready to go, no matter what season is approaching or how big the crowd promises to be this year! To find out more, call us at 816-471-2929 or visit us online today.

Published: 15 July 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

Outdoor grandstands are the single best way to make all of your fans comfortable, no matter what the sport or event. A good maintenance program, though, is absolutely essential. Outdated or damaged grandstands can mean the potential for an accident, and the last thing you want is a serious situation on your hands. Not sure where to begin? This quick guide can help.

Make certain that you inspect your bleachers at least once a year at the minimum. Remember, the more often you do a scheduled inspection of your bleachers, the higher your confidence level in them during every single season. Ensure that your inspection is scheduled far enough in advance to accommodate and repair or maintenance tasks that must be done before an upcoming event or game.
If you’re not sure, enlist the help of a professional. Don’t assume your normal maintenance crew can handle the in-depth inspection necessary to keep your grandstands safe for all of your patrons. Remember, a variety of different aspects must be considered from the general safety of the grandstands to code compliance. In some states, various documentation must also be kept on file to help protect your facility. If your staff doesn’t understand exactly what has to be done, call in a professional team who can help.
Take a look at recent code requirements. Thanks to the record numbers of recent accidents in outdoor grandstands, states are changing codes and requirements right and left, and ensuring that you understand exactly what is required is a must.

Carroll Seating offers inspections, maintenance, and repair services to help meet your needs. We’ll not only help you spot the potential problems that could be an issue during the season, but we’ll also help you put our suggestions into play with maintenance and repair to ensure every one of your patrons is safe. To learn more, please contact us today.

Published: 6 May 2014

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

Bleacher accidents continue to grace the headlines year after year, and the media does little to quell the increasing worry about this very common seating option. The last thing you want is patrons who are hurt as a result of negligence, and given that most bleacher accidents could have been predicted with the right care and maintenance, a bit of extra work now could go a long way toward keeping those spectators safe. This is also the perfect time to handle maintenance, as if you do discover problems, you have a bit of time on your hands to fix them. Here’s a checklist that can help you keep everyone on your bleachers safe in the upcoming season.

Take a look at the obvious stuff. Stairs, ramps, and aisles should all be clean, free of debris, and in good working order. If you notice any loose flooring or seats that are splintering, you should certainly have it repaired immediately. Other damaged areas should be noted and assessed for their overall impact on the safety of your bleacher system.
Look at all of the fasteners, including the nuts and bolts. Make sure that they’re as tight as they should be. If any of them are missing completely, replace them.
Examine the wall and floor anchors. Are they as tight as they should be? Do they look a bit worn? If they’re damaged or missing completely, replace them. If they’ve served well for quite some time, it’s not a bad idea to go ahead and replace them then as well.
Look at welded joints. You should see them both in the frames and in the bracing of the bleachers. Make certain the welds are holding well. If they seem loose at all, have them looked at by a professional.
Any parts that produce friction need to be lubricated now and mid-way through the season. If it looks like damage has occurred because of a lack of lubrication, make certain you have it addressed.
Take a close look at the handrails and safety rails along the sides and backs of the bleachers. The rails themselves as well as the mounting hardware need to be carefully examined for possible problems.

The best thing you can do for your patrons is to have a professional inspector look over your bleachers before the season starts. He or she will not only carefully look at your bleacher system from every possible angle, but also certify that they have recently been inspected, helping to indemnify you in the even tragedy occurs in the future. Talk to the professionals who installed your bleachers to see if they offer inspection services.

Published: 10 May 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

Each year, thousands of people are injured while on bleachers at a variety of different kinds of facilities. In some cases, it’s purely negligence on the part of the individual. In many other cases, though, the problem could have been prevented through solid bleacher inspection and maintenance. Most states have gone so far as to require yearly inspection for bleachers. Wondering what that entails?

Here’s a quick overview:

You should make certain that the bleachers aren’t unstable in any possible way. For example, they shouldn’t be leaning to one side, and they should be placed on level ground. Moreover, while walking on them, they should feel completely stable.
You should also make sure the structural support of the bleachers is solid. There shouldn’t be any signs of corrosion or rotting. All of the cross braces should be in good working order. None of them should come out past the bench seat edges. None of the welds should be cracked either.
Bleachers should have handrails in place, and if there aren’t any, warnings should be posted.

There are often other guidelines from state to state, and understanding those is your responsibility. For example, in many states, a simple safety inspection by your staff isn’t enough. In most cases, you’ll need a certified technician to look things over and file a report. Depending on the company from whom you bought the bleachers, some yearly inspections are required to keep your warranty in check, too.

Preventative Maintenance
Whether your annual check reveals a problem or not, you may still have a bit of work to do. Proper upkeep of your floorboards, stairs and walkways is a must. It can help reduce any falls from patrons. They need to be cleaned regularly as well. Handrails, if present, need to be tightened, and supports should be lubricated with all other moving parts.

Keep in mind that if you allow food onto the bleachers, it can get into the mechanisms and create real issues, so keep a close eye out for potential problems with food. There are ways to clean them well, but it’s a bit harder, so custodial staff should be part of the maintenance plan. The real key with preventative maintenance is not only to make certain issues are addressed as soon as they’re realized, but also to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the right maintenance procedures.

Bleachers are one of the biggest problems for many facilities because, while they do provide useful seating, they can also be hard to maintain. Contact a certified bleacher technician to make sure your bleachers are safe from year to year.