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