We recently stopped by a facility to take some measurements to up-grade their visitors’ side grandstands. Last summer, we made the upgrades to their home side grandstands so we thought it would be good to take some before and after photos and share some Grandstand Service & Safety tips.
Grandstand Code Compliance and Safety is very similar to your indoor Telescoping Bleacher Code Compliance and Safety, including the limits of a 4-inch sphere. We’ll start with the Guard Rails. If the first tier is elevated more than 30 inches, you need to have a guard rail that prohibits the passage of a 4-inch sphere and a height of 42”. An easy way to be safe and code compliant is to close off the guard rail with chain-link fence anchored to the top and bottom rails. This way you are sure nothing and no one will pass through. This is applicable with all guard rails, not just the front and back.
Take a look at this older grandstand (don’t worry – we’re about to do an up-grade!).
The concept of the rear guardrail in place is good – there is fencing enclosing the area to prevent spectators from falling. However, the fencing isn’t anchored down very well on the bottom which means if you lean back too far, the fencing will expand and it’s possible to fall through. As I was standing on the top row, I can understand completely why this code is in place. If everyone in your section is cheering on the home team, you in the back row are going to stand up and cheer them on too. If the crowd is going crazy, it’s possible to lose your balance and lean a little too far off the top railing of the rear guard rail. It’s a long way down from the top row. For a person that is 6-ft tall, your waistline, or “bending point” is going to be higher than the guard rail you’re looking at here which is approximately 36-37 inches tall. A few inches can make a large difference when it comes to safety.
Notice the side guard rails above also. They do not prohibit the passage of our 4-inch sphere, nor are they high enough. The best option here would again be to increase the height of the rails and close it off with appropriate fencing.
Now let’s talk semi-closed and closed Deck & Rear Risers. According to code compliance, all decks, seats, and risers with a height above 30-inches must be closed so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through in any location. Take a look at the two photos below.
The one on the left shows code compliant decking that is semi-closed and closed. The photo on the right has an opening of almost 16 inches which is incredibly dangerous and does not meet code compliance. Not only could a child fall through that opening, but a grown man could fall through. That opening alone made me ready to go back down the steps.
Those were just a few safety tips to get you thinking about your Outdoor Grandstands. Remember, not only are annual indoor Telescoping Bleacher Inspections required, but you’re also required to have Outdoor Grandstand and Bleacher Inspections. Contact us for more information – we can help keep your spectators safe!
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