Fans sitting on aluminum bleachers that are IBC complian
If you are looking for bleachers for sale, one criterion you must add to your decision-making is to be sure you choose bleachers that meet International Building Code (IBC) standards.
Why? Bleachers are structures that will be used heavily by the public. They might be outdoor bleachers, subject to all types of weather and wear. Bleachers are not the same as church pews. They must be able to withstand lots of movement from ardent fans and spectators. People jump on them. Stomp their feet. Continually walk up and down the stairs. Spill things. Run. Cheer. Many participants will be students and small children. Some will be older grandparents.
You get the picture, there's always quite a bit of activity taking place on aluminum bleachers.
It's no surprise then, that bleachers can also be dangerous. Some people have died as the result of bleacher falls. Many are injured every year. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that some 19,000 people suffer injuries annually on bleachers.
The issue of bleacher injuries became such a concern, that two congressmen, Bill Luther and Jim Ramstad, asked the CPSC to create some guidelines regarding their safety. This led to including standards for the manufacturing and installation in the list of building codes created by the IBC.
What is the IBC and what do they have to do with bleachers for sale?
To put it simply, the International Building Code council helps create design requirement, building codes and standards for products that has helped the US keep its reputation as one of the safest places in the world to live.
Bleachers for sale that can be quickly added to any sports field
These building codes have been adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
In 1994, the International Code Council was created as a non-profit organization to combine three different organizations that were all writing building codes for different parts of the country.
At one time, construction companies had to deal with the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, the International Conference of Building Officials and the Southern Building Code Congress.
While these entities served their purpose in their regions, organizers all eventually came to the conclusion that life would be easier for all those involved if they combined these groups into just one national organization with a single universal set of codes. These codes make it easier for builders, manufacturers, facility managers and inspectors because they can be applied everywhere.
The group is now much more efficient with some 250 staff members and offices all over the US. Basically, the ICC develops these construction and public safety codes by working not only with builders and manufacturers, but with government entities as well. That's how the code came to be created for bleachers as requested by the two congressmen.
Many of the initial codes focused on fire safety. But since the ICC first organized, the code book has grown to 700 pages covering everything from building occupancy, structure heights and areas, interiors, foundations, walls and roofs, materials, elevators, escalators, egress, accessibility and other factors.
Elevated bleacher
The council also offers assistance with code applications, educational programs, certification programs, technical publications, plan reviews and career assistance.
When it comes to outdoor bleachers for sale, there are quite a few options to choose from. To narrow it down, aluminum bleachers are generally considered the best for outside use. The aluminum planks don't chip, splinter or warp and don't require the same kind of regular maintenance that wooden bleachers need.
The various types of aluminum outdoor bleachers for sale include:
Standard Non-Elevated Bleachers - the structures come in 3 rows, 4 rows, 5 rows, 10 rows, 15 rows etc. and are at ground level.
Elevated bleachers - these have rows like standard bleachers but the structure is raised for better viewing.
Transportable bleachers - these are bleachers that can be towed around a facility to accommodate different events and crowds.
Tip and Roll Bleachers - these are bleachers (usually small) that can be folded and then wheeled into storage.
While a bleacher structure seems simple, there are quite a few parts: Planks, risers, seats, guard rails, stairs, ramps, rubber nosing, understructure frames and hardware.
The CPSC recommends you check these parts frequently and have the bleachers inspected on a regular basis. Check for rust, wear, loose hardware, worn parts or misalignment. Keep records of all inspections.
Whatever bleacher best fits the situation, as we said, one deciding factor should be compliance with IBC standards.
Bleachers get a work out from fans. Some spectators are responsible and behave. Others are not. This is a litigious society. Using bleachers that are not well-made or do not comply with IBC codes can be risky.
Why take the chance? These standards were created to help buyers when searching for bleachers for sale. Use them. It certainly will narrow down the choices, make your decision easier and help you sleep better at night knowing you have a product that complies with national building codes.
To learn more about the ICC or to order the IBC codes for bleachers, click here.