Bleacher Companies

Where and how your bleachers are used will determine the specific type you'll need.

It may not be Rocket Science, but choosing the right bleacher is both more complex and more important than you may have first thought.

The bleacher selection task is complex there are:

(1) Several different categories of bleachers; From portable indoor school gymnasium bleachers used for athletic events such as basketball to outdoor bleachers used at baseball and football events.

(2) Different code requirements for different types of bleachers; most bleacher manufacturers offer sales of additional features that will help you comply with local codes.

(3) Many bleacher manufacturers- ranging in size from major corporations with registered professionally- engineered systems all the way down to small “garage shops”

(4) Virtually tens of thousands of bleacher models – with many models offering a variety of features and options.

The bleacher selection task is important because:

(1) Your new bleacher may quite well be around for 30 years or more;

(2) During it’s lifetime your bleacher will be seen and used by many, many thousands of your fans and/or spectators;

(3) You have a responsibility to provide safety to your fans & spectators and to meet available budgets;

(4) choosing a bleacher that complies with local and national safety-related guidelines & codes will be your first line of defense in the event of an injury lawsuit.

The bleacher selection task is important because:

(1) Your new bleacher may quite well be around for 30 years or more:

(2) During it’s lifetime your bleacher will be seen and used by many, many thousands of your fans and/or spectators;

(3) Choosing a bleacher that complies with local and national safety-related guidelines & codes will be your first line defense in the event of an injury lawsuit.

The purpose of this Buyer’s Guide to provide you with general information about bleacher products and available features and options that help you to make a well-informed buying decision.

A simple guide to making the right choice.

We manufacture thousands of bleachers for a wide variety of standard and custom applications. Even though our product line may be among the broadest

In the industry, our customers have taught us that, in the majority of typical applications, one of the six bleachers shown at the right will provided you with the best value and be your best choice.

Rarely do any of our customers want to become bleacher experts- instead they just want to make sure that they are making the right buying decision. Choose any of these six bleachers and you can rest assured that you chose the same bleacher which many coaches and other experts would choose.

BLEACHERS 101: Optional

Bleachers provide “tiered” or “stepped” seating surfaces and are available in a variety of configurations. Typical bleacher sections consist of from 2 to 15 rows with row lengths ranging from 7.5 feet to 30 feet for small popular models. Planks may be spliced together to form longer systems in most any length and therefore the seating capacity of bleachers can range from 10-10,000 people.

Common Bleacher Terminology:

Non-Elevated Bleacher: a non-elevated bleacher sets at ground level and is the most frequently purchased bleacher type. Typically configured in 3 to 15 rows with row lengths ranging from 7.5’ to almost any length, this type of bleacher has a first seat row height of 17 inches (16 inches for 3-Row models) and an 8 inch rise per row. Typical non-elevated bleachers are configured with 10 inch wide seats and a choice of one or two 10 inch wide foot planks (with riser planks under seats to close up gaps) Aisles and guardrails are available on most models. Non-elevated bleachers are also available in both transportable and low rise configurations. (See below)

Elevated Bleachers: An elevated bleacher is basically a bleacher that sets on a framework such that the entire bleacher is raised above the ground, typically 30” – 48”. The height of the first seat will typically be 47” to 65” above ground level. Elevated bleachers are idea for football games and similar events where it is desirable for fans to be able to see over people and/ or other obstacles. Elevated bleachers include features which are similar to non-elevated bleachers but elevated bleachers often also include front walkways, accessible ramps, stairs, wheelchair areas, and press boxes.

Low-Rise Bleachers: (non-elevated), Low rise bleachers are almost always your lowest cost choice. The significance of low rise bleacher is that their unique features provide safety according to most codes, yet do not necessitate expensive guardrailing, risers, aisles, and handrails. A typical 3 or 4 row low rise bleacher has an overall height of less than 30”. Also this style of bleacher has a wider seat plank. (12” instead of 10”). A lower rise per row (6” instead of 8”) and finally, a lower first row seat height (12” instead of 17”). It is important to note that some taller adults may find that a low rise bleacher is less comfortable than a typical non elevated bleacher due to the lower vertical rise.

Tip N Roll Bleachers: (non elevated) This type of bleacher is typically used indoors and can be “tipped up” 90 degrees onto a set of casters and easily rolled on a floor to a new location. Tip N Roll bleachers are typically 2 or 3 row in order that they may fit through standard width doorways. In the “USE position”, Tip N Roll bleachers typically rest on rubber foot pads which provide protection for the floor. Seating capacity for a single Tip N Roll unit ranges from 10 to 48 people.

Transportable Bleachers: As the name indicates, any bleacher in this category was designed to be moved from one area to another. Transportable bleachers are intended for movement on your grounds (not over public roads). Some manufacturers speak of “portable bleachers” suggesting to the layman that the bleacher can be moved if need be. In most cases, these “portable bleachers” are not adequately braced to survive frequent movement. On the other hand, transportable bleachers incorporate additional bracing and “lifting braces” to facilitate relocating the bleacher without damage. A single “Transport Kit” (wheels, towing tongue, and jack) can be used to move multiple bleachers. Transportable bleachers typically consist of 5 to 10 rows with lengths ranging from 15 to 24 feet. Each section can seat from 50 to 160 spectators.