Be sure the outdoor bleachers you add to your facility have a high slip-resistance rating
Outdoor bleachers can sometimes be subjected to rough and tough wear very similar to what's taking place on the field. Then of course, since these structures are outside, you have to battle the environment as well.
That's why you must install aluminum bleachers with slip-resistance qualities.
Let's face it. When you have a three to four-hour event such as a football game taking place, you will have quite a bit of activity on those outdoor bleachers as well.
Children will run.
Teens will spill their sodas and stomp around the stands.
Grandparents will want to attend and will have to be gingerly helped up and down the steps and ramps.
Fans will jump up and down to cheer on their favorite teams.
It's going to rain during some games. Maybe it will snow.
The temperatures could drop into the freezing range.
To look at the even bigger picture, the National Floor Safety Institute estimates there are more than 8 million slips and falls every year on all sorts of surfaces, both indoor and out. These are injuries that are so severe they require a visit to an emergency room.
About 33,000 people a year actually die from falling accidentally on surfaces that are either wet, poorly-built or covered with inferior coatings.
Outdoor bleachers require high SCOF ratings
At one time, a "Slip Index" was implemented to try to gauge the risks with any given surface.
Since then, the NSFI has created a more precise way to measure surfaces that people walk on and to provide safety stands for manufacturing to follow in making slip-resistant products. That would also include walkways and stairs. For flooring think of all the materials that are used - ceramic tiles, wood, wood laminates as well as coatings and polishes.
The NFSI replaced the loosely defined index with a more rigidly determined Static Coefficient of Friction (SCOF). These standards have been accepted industry-wide today.
The SCOF is defined as "the ratio of the force that maintains contact between an object and a surface and the frictional force that resists the motion of the object."
In other words - "the amount of required pressure between two surfaces to prevent slippage."
Basically, the more friction, the harder it is to move an object, such as a foot in a sneaker on a bleacher floorboard.
The SCOF can actually be measured by a device called a variable incidence tribometer. This device, originally invented by a Dutch scientist in the 18th century, can check the friction and wear volume of different surfaces.
Interestingly, the tribometer is able to replicate the movement of the leg, heel, and sole of a human foot and measure how it reacts to different surfaces.
The device basically measures the point where a surface becomes slippery - either from the materials on the surface or the angle.
The higher the SCOF, the more grip is available. Better traction lowers the likelihood of a slip, trip or fall. Higher ratings can prevent injuries and even fatalities from slips and falls.
Ranges of friction coefficients
There are basically three ranges.
- High Traction - that means a SCOF of .60 or higher. This means the least amount of risk for slippage.
- Moderation Traction - this is for a SCOF between .59 down to .40. This rating is acceptable, to prevent slips and falls.
- Low Traction - here the SCOF is less than .40, which is dangerous and when an immediate adjustment is required. Take corrective measures and retest again.
The Park and Facilities Catalog pays close attention to keeping its SCOF ratings in the safe range for the walkways and floorboards on the sports bleachers it manufactures. We also meet bleacher slip resistance and other requirements from the American National Standards Institute.
After all, we sell our aluminum bleachers to schools, colleges, universities, parks and recreation departments, arenas, venues and other facilities.
There you will find all ages and abilities using our bleachers. (The Park and Facilities Catalog can also design and manufacture custom bleachers for people with disabilities. Those outdoor bleachers can include wheelchair ramps and spaces for companion seating).
Bottom line - a facility is responsible for the safety of its patrons and spectators. Don't go cheap when it comes to slip-resistant materials.
Be sure the manufacturer has had their decking tested under field conditions with NSFI standards. When you conduct annual inspections, be sure to have the walkways tested again.
A fan's job is to cheer and support their team. Your job in choosing and installing outdoor bleachers is to make sure they have a safe place to do it.
Note: We have bleachers for sale that can be delivered if you need them ASAP. With our ParkExpress program we can ship some outdoor bleachers, such as 4-row aluminum bleachers, in just a few business days.
Outdoor bleachers with shade structur