Types of Bleachers
Whether temporary or permanent, different types and styles of bleachers exist and each for its own purpose. Folding and telescopic bleachers are tiered seating facilities capable of being reduced for purposes of moving or storage. Regularly found in school gymnasiums, this type of bleacher may be pulled out to provide seating at basketball games. The next day, they may be pushed back in so that a track team can run laps. In comparison, there are hollow bleachers that offer space beneath them for permanent locker rooms; college stadiums are often built this way. Bleachers can even be temporary. Special award celebrations, a school play, an outdoor graduation are all example of temporary uses for bleachers.
Plastic chairs, upholstered chairs, and platforms are typically found in arenas, stadiums, tracks. Theatres and movie cinemas usually have upholstered seating lines or rows of chairs. Typically, these are more comfortable than the basic aluminum benches found at sport games. Some places of worship have changed from the common church pew to rows of upholstered seats. Convention centers often have telescopic rows of plastic or upholstered chairs. These provide more comfort for speeches than the basic sport benches as well.
Bleacher Safety
No matter where the bleachers are and why they are there, they must be secure and safe. People who are sitting in the bleachers are there to watch, and even cheer. They are not there to pay attention to where they step. Guards and handrails provide a service of guidance and support to the people climbing bleachers. Wheelchair accessibility is gaining more attention these days. There should be certain areas of bleachers set up wide enough to secure a wheelchair. Ramps instead of stairs are being considered, not only for wheelchair purposes but also for safety reasons.
Sitting in Bleachers
In sporting events like baseball, sitting out in the nosebleeds or bleachers refers to sitting in a section of the stadium that is farther up and away from the field. They are not club seats or even preferred seats, but rather less desirable and less expensive tickets. The good thing about sitting out in the bleachers is the higher chance of catching a homerun or a foul ball. And still, with the clever engineering of the seating arrangement, fans can still see the game just fine, though they might need binoculars.
