Bleacher Aluminum Planks Theft Solution and Prevention

More and more people are looking for a way to earn fast cash and bleachers have become an unusual target. Over the years, several incidents of bleacher planks theft have been reported to the police (news item for Le Roy, New York and Auburn, Alabama). Most cases have been seen to occur during the winter when parks, fields, and playgrounds are mostly deserted and during summer breaks in schools. These reported instances happened in areas far from the streets and rarely seen by passersby.

Be vigilant! Avoid being a victim of bleacher planks theft.

Aluminum planks are sold as scrap metal and are bought per pound by metal recycling shops. The planks are taken and cut off into smaller pieces before it’s mixed with other metals to avoid being noticed in the recycling shops. The thieves could get a hundred dollars out of the planks while the owners will need to shell out mostly over a thousand dollars for the replacement. Clearly, the problem of theft cannot be ignored with this hefty cost of replacement.

This is the reason why anti-theft prevention should be part of the planning and design phase of a bleacher system. You will find manufacturers that offer cheap bleacher systems but you also need to consider the quality of the wedges and bolts: Can these easily be wrenched off by thieves? 

Here are some tips to prevent and discourage theft:

• Get a bleacher system with a Plank Lock Theft Deterrent System. Special nut and bolt fasteners are used to secure the planks to the bleacher frames and once assembled, the same tools cannot be used to loosen and disassemble the joints.
• Conduct regular maintenance checks even during winter. Check for loose nuts and bolts and for signs of dismantling.
• Paint the planks with the park or stadium’s name or mark it with any identifier as recommended by an officer of Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. It will be harder for the thieves to sell it to scrap metal shops if they see it as a property of the park.
• In the case of portable/temporary bleachers, ensure that the storage area is properly secured and locked.

In case a theft has already occurred, immediately alert the local police. The police will sound the alarm and coordinate with the recycling shops to be on the lookout for aluminum scrap sellers. Thieves were caught and apprehended in some of the reported cases but the planks were found to be already cut up and unusable. The key here lies in deploying preventive measures.

Sturdy-Lite Sports is a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of aluminum Bleacher products which comply with all provisions in ICC 300-2007 and 300-2012

How To Anchor Aluminum Bleachers

Bleacher systems, aside from bearing gravity, must be able to withstand different loads: its intrinsic weight (dead load), the weight of the occupants (live load), and environmental loads such as wind uplift load and sway load. For safety purposes, bleachers must be securely anchored to support these loads, avoid shaking and bending under the weight of the crowd, as well as avoid being overturned by the wind. 
 

Bleacher anchors should be part of the planning and design

Governing building codes state the minimum load requirements. Codes and standards, along with the owners’ requirements, are the guidelines in designing a bleacher system. Check this link to see a sample of a bleacher system specifications document. Load requirements for structural frames, decking system, handrails/guardrails, and seat boards are provided by the client.

Here are samples of design load requirements:

1.   Structural – Framing Members

- Dead Load: 6 PSF

- Live Load: 100 PSF

2.     Decking System

- Dead Load: 6 PSF

- Live Load: 100 PSF

- Sway Load: 24 PLF per row parallel to seat, 10 PLF per row perpendicular to seat

3.     Wind uplift load 250 PLF at 150mph

There are two ways to anchor bleachers depending on the bleacher type:

• Use of concrete foundations 

Bleachers can be anchored on concrete slab under the entire bleacher or on a concrete strip under each bleacher frame. Holes are drilled into the concrete and wedge anchors are used to connect and secure the bleachers. This type of anchoring is used in bigger bleacher systems such as in stadiums and baseball fields.

• Auger type earth anchors

In places where it is not possible to use concrete foundations such as asphalt, soil, gravel, or grass, auger anchors can be steered into a hole in the soil and then fastened to the bleacher frames using hold down straps. Be sure to check on the quality of the soil. Avoid selecting heavily compacted soil for anchorage because it can hinder auger anchor installation and can lead to insufficient load resistance. Ground anchoring is commonly used with portable and temporary bleachers.

Whether the bleachers will be anchored to a concrete slab or on soil, make sure to plan the design thoroughly and in compliance with the latest versions of the applicable codes such as Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI. 318) and ICC 300 “Standard for Bleachers, Folding and Telescopic Seating, and Grandstands” to ensure public safety. In the case of retrofitting existing bleachers, ground anchoring should also be inspected and if needed, redesigned according to the Guidelines for Retrofitting Bleachers released by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. 


Sturdy-Lite Sports is a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of aluminum Bleacher products which comply with all provisions in ICC 300-2007 and 300-2012

Aluminum Bleachers Maintenance Checklist

Outdoor sporting facilities take a lot of abuse from the elements through the seasons – wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail, and all of the temperature changes that come with these. When it comes to the equipment left on the grounds to withstand such conditions, the managers and maintenance personnel should be well-versed in conducting inspections and preventive maintenance routines, not just so everything stays looking nice, but to check for weathered surfaces and structures that can pose safety risks to the visitors.

Bleacher systems should be subject to regular inspections to ensure public safety

When it comes to bleacher seating, there have been numerous lawsuits that originated from a person falling or getting hurt on bleachers. A good, well-kept maintenance log is one tool to help you in case any accident occurs and a lawsuit is involved.

Logs are not that hard so let’s set up one while we are at it:

Things to Check	Notes	Location	Personal	Date
A	Good	Right Bleacher	Jim Bob	7-30-14
B	Fair	Center Bleacher	Jim Bob	8-12-14
C	Broken	Fence	Jim Bob	8-21-14

That is all that is needed: a log of what you’re checking, the condition of the item, location of the park or the bleacher which has the broken, bent, or cracked item. Include the signature of the person who checked the bleacher and the date when it was inspected. The better the notes, the more likely you are to track the condition of the facility. If the condition worsens from one event to the next, you will at least have an idea of when it broke.

When is the best time to check the bleachers? The key maintenance schedule is before and after every event. Have someone go out and check them. In most cases, anything that will happen to the bleachers will be during an event where people are on the bleachers, jumping and cheering for their team. It is best to have the same individual go out every time since he/she will be most familiar. It is preferable to do the check during good visual conditions where the person can see everything on the bleacher.

Lastly, know what to watch out for. Here is a good list of what to check:

• Make sure that the bleachers are leveled. Take a level place it on a couple of the seat planks to check. 
• Check the anchor points. Verify if there are bolts that have backed out or if there are cracks in the concrete. Check all welds for cracks or breaks.
•  Check all planks and trusses for bends.
•  Lastly, check the fencing for any breaks or any pulling away from the anchor points. The fence should be tight in all places.

If you do find a problem, don’t brush it off; there could be a chance for a serious injury to happen if you choose to ignore it. Contact maintenance immediately. 

This is a sample bleacher inspection checklist every maintenance department can use as a template to start from. You can also use techniques such as taking photos to keep track of facility wear and tear. A thorough inspection must be regularly performed. When it comes to public safety, there is no such thing as being too meticulous.

Sturdy-Lite Sports is a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of aluminum Bleacher products which comply with all provisions in ICC 300-2007 and 300-2012

Quick Facts About Bleachers

Multitudes of spectators fill up stadiums to watch their favorite athletic teams play; oftentimes stomping their feet and cheering loudly from the bleachers. These benches were called “bleaching boards” up until 1889, when the first recorded use of the word “bleachers” was made. The word “bleacher” evolved from the phrase “bleached by the sun” used to describe the wooden benches which color faded to white after being exposed under the sun for so long.

Permanent bleachers installation

Two centuries later, bleachers are now made from aluminum or galvanized steel and are categorized depending on its function. The categories include the following: 

• Permanent bleachers are installed in large athletic fields, such as football and baseball fields, anchored to concrete slabs and are fitted with a variety of seat options. 
• Portable bleachers, commonly called Tip N’ Roll bleachers, are used for additional seating capacity and for small pop-up events such as performances and plays. After the event, the bleachers can be rolled away for easy storage. 
• To maximize space in small venues like in pool decks, telescopic or retractable bleachers made from molded plastic seats can be folded when not in use. The bleacher seats are made to withstand high humidity. 
• If there is a need for additional capacity for special events, organizers can get temporary bleachers from rental companies. 

Aside from the bleacher function and purpose, size and capacity are also considered in evaluating bleacher options.

Since bleachers hold a number of spectators at a given time, safety is top priority. Building codes are in place to ensure the viewers’ protection. When the top seat height exceeds 30” as in the case of elevated bleachers, safety features such as guardrail, handrail, riser, and foot planks are required. Elevated bleachers are best deployed to improve the viewing experience during football, baseball, and tennis events. 

Low-rise bleachers perfect for little league fields

On the other hand, low-rise bleachers have the first row seats 10”-12” away from the ground. An advantage of using low-risers is that the top seat height is below 30” so it does not require railings to meet building and safety codes, which also makes it a cheaper option. However, seating in the front row might be a little uncomfortable for adults. Low-rise bleachers are best installed for use in little league baseball fields and elementary school events.

From the ‘bleached’ look in the 19^th century, bleachers now come painted in different colors depending on the stadium’s design or it could also reflect the home team’s colors. In the case of bleachers for baseball stadiums, the seats directly in the line of sight of the batter or the center-field bleachers are painted dark in contrast to the white ball. This allows the batter to keep sight of the ball in flight.  

Here’s a fun fact: one brilliant bleacher coloring idea came from Fenway Park. In a sea of green-colored seats, one red seat stands out at the right lower bleachers section. The seat was painted red to commemorate the pitch made by Red Sox’ Ted Williams that launched the ball 502 feet into the air, marking the longest homerun ever hit at Fenway Park. Viewers can relive that glorious moment by paying $23 to grab the coveted seat.


Sturdy-Lite Sports is a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of aluminum Bleacher products which comply with all provisions in ICC 300-2007 and 300-2012