Stadium Seating 4l4e4t

SEATING SIGHTLINES CONVERSION OF TERRACING SEAT TYPES

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FOOTBALL STADIA ADVISORY DESIGN COUNCIL I 645.41: ! 725,826

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SEATING SIGHTLINES CONVERSION OF TERRACING SEAT TYPES

C o n trib u to rs

Rod Sheard Ernest Atherden Tony Sherratt E d ito r

Simon Inglis T e c h n ic a l E d ito r a n d I l lu s t r a t o r

Maritz Vandenberg

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FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

Contributors Introduction-

I CONTENTS

1.0

What are viewing standards for seated spectators?

7

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

How are sightlines calculated? ‘C’ Values Angle of rake Riser heights

2 .0

How can existing terraces be adapted for seating?

2.1 2.2 2 .3 2 .4 2 .5 2 .6 2.7 2.8

Every case is different How can terraces be reprofiled to provide good sightlines? Ground conditions How will the conversion affect capacity? Numbers v. comfort How will the conversion affect the layout of gangways? How will the conversion affect the layout of turnstiles and exits? Conversion costs

10

3 .0

What seat dimensions are required?

3 .1 3.2 3 .3 3.4

The seatway, or clearway Seating row depth Useful seat depth Seat width

4 .0

How many seats can be installed between aisles?

4 .1

Current guidelines

5.0

W hat types of seating are available?-------------------------------15

5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

Bench seats One-piece seats without backs One-piece seats with backs Tip-up seats

--------------------- 13

15

6 .0

What types of seat frame are available?------------------------ 17

6 .1 6.2 6 .3 6 .4

Top tread or nose fixed seats Tread or floor fixed seats Riser fixed seats Tread and riser fixed seats

7.0

What materials and finishes are advised?------------------------ 18

7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5

Seat materials Seat frame materials Seat frame finishes Durability of finishes in different locations Fixings

8 .0

What colour seats should you choose?-------------------------- 20

8 .1 8 .2 8 .3

Stability Cost Colour mixing

9 .0

What flame retardancy standards are required?--------------- 20

9 .1 9 .2

Current standards Design factors

1 0 .0

Are there any other factors to consider?-

10 .1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10 .6 10.7 10 .8 10 .9 1 0 .1 0 10 .11 10 .12

Seat strength Drainage Ease of cleaning Vandal-proof fixings Ability to number seats After sales service and maintenance contracts Press box seating Comfort and event usage Retractable and demountable seating Costs Football Trust grants Schemes for Football League clubs

21

For ease of reference, a checklist of the main points in this publication appears on page 23 For information on how the FSADC can help you professional advisors, seat manufacturers and suppliers, see page 24 For information on future FSADC publications see page 24

The FSADC would like to thank o f its Architects’ Working Pa,rty for assistance in compiling this booklet: Geraint John (FSADC and Sports Council), Terry Ward (Husband Design Group) and Stuart Wallace (Miller Partnership). Additional contributions were made by B ill Gilson, Duncan MacLean and Jay Parrish. The Courwil is particularly indebted to the following for their specialised contributions to the three main sections: Sightlines: R od Sh ea rd Dip Arch ARIBA ARAIA is a partner with the Lobb Partnersh ip. He was architect for Watford’s Stanley Rous Stand, in 1986 and Twickenham ’s South Stand in 1981. He has also designed a number o f major qmndsta.vds, stadia,, racecourses and sports facilities in B ritain and overseas (including Silverstone, New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur). Other commissions ham taken Sheard to _ sports and recreation centres in Jersey, Goa, UAE, Australia and Taiwan. A regular speaker and writer on aspects o f stadium design, he has also been involved with, the IAI(S European Stadium working party, particularly on matters o f crowd safety. Examples o f his award winning work ham been exhibited at the Royal Academy o f Arts, and Sheard is now a member o f the FSADC’s Architects’ Working Party. Conversion o f terracing: E rn est A th erd en Dip Arch RIBA is Senior Partner withAlherden Fuller. Awarded the Rome Scholarship in Architecture in 1960 he spent time in Italy studying the noted stadia o f Pierluigi Nervi, before deg his first grandstand at Manchester Racecourse in 1961. In 1963 Atherden began the first phase o f Old Trafford’s redevel­ opment (in which he was largely responsible for incorporating the first executive boxes a t a European football ground), and remains closely involved with the stadium to this day. He has also designed stands for Wolves (1980), Tottenham (1981) and Liverpool (1991), and has overseen safety work at Liverpool and Everton. In 1986Atherden was appointed by Wembley Stadium to undertake refurbishment o f the stadium. He is also a member o f the FSADC’s Architects’ Working Party. Seat types: Tony S h e rra tt BSc represents the British Association o f Spectator Equipment Suppliers (BASES), a trade association allied to the B ritish Sports and Allied Industries Federation. Widely experienced in the manufacture and design o f stadium seating, he is Managing Director of Iiille Auditorium Seating Limited, based near Warrington, and during the last 17 years has been involved at over 30 football grounds. A constant advocate o f quality seating, Sherratt most recently oversaw the installa tion o f more than 40,000 seats a t Twickenham and Lords. ------------

FI O\ JO\ JT1URr VAT J SITADT A J J IJ kJ 1 XXLVIX A T W T Q n i T V TW QTPAT J

A I ) V llO U J a I

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The Football Stadia Advisory Design Council was established in August 1990 on the recommendation o f Lord Justice Taylor ^ pm d ed j ointiy by fjie Football League and the Football

Association. Its aim, in publishing booklets such as this and

JJJu O lvX L N by developing further research, is to encourage improvements r \ T T ~ \ T H TT in standards and a greater awareness o f stadium design. For ( j | I j more information about the FSADC please refer to page 24.

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Welcome to the first in a series o f FSADC information booklets on specialised aspects of stadium design for football As no-one in the the industry m il need reminding, seating is one of the principal issues facing football throughout Europe du ring the 1990s, and while it is not for the FSADC to comment upon the current debate surrounding the issue, the Council 'is fully aware o f the difficulties many Football League clubs face in implementing the Taylor Report1. A League survey conducted in early 1991 found that some 852,000 seats w ill be required by the 92 clubs in order to con­ vert their grou nds to all-seaters. Countless more seats w ill no doubt be needed in the non-League sector. Yet even before the Taylor Report’s publication in 1990 the ratio o f seats:standing places was already changing, largely owing - it is true - to the reduction in terrace capacities, but also to an increase in the number o f seats provided. This is particularly true among First Division clubs. In Dec­ ember 1990 seats fo m ed an average o f 51.5% o f capacity in the First Division, compared with 41.6% for the same clubs in 1982. Comparative figures show a m e in the Second Division from 23% in 1982 to 34.5% in 1990, in the Third Division from 19% to 29%, and in the Fourth Division from 14.3% to 23%. The provision of more seating raises a number of other issues, not least the need at many grounds to build new multi-tiered stands to maintain reasonable capacity levels and the require­ ment to cover seats placed on existing terraces. Both these issues w ill be tackled in forthcoming FSADC information booklets. Apart from the obvious problem o f funding the installation of seats, there appear to be two further dilemmas. Firstly, the FSADC recognises that for many clubs there is a conflict between the need to provide as many seats as possible so as not to lose capacity - and the need to provide comfortable seating. Compromise is inevitable, but it should only ever be as the result of considered judgm ent by professional advisors. Uncomfortable or poorly installed seating is less likely to receive the approval o f ers, and may even contribute to a higher level o f damages and ill-behaviour, whereas experience suggests that the most hardened sceptic can be won over by the provision o f a comfortable, unhindered view o f the action. Secondly, experience shorvs repeatedly that although adopting cheap solutions for seating might seem attractive in the short­ term it w ill ultimately prove to be a false economy. This applies not only to the choice of seat itself but also to the seat frame, its fixin gs and the preparation o f the seat tread. This first booklet therefore seeks to guide clubs, architects and other interested parties through the basics of three main aspects o f the subject: • viewing standards for seated spectators • the conversion o f terradng to seating • an examination o f available seat types Each section has been written by experts in the field, taking into amount the logistical problems facing clubs, but at the same time recommending, wherever possible, that high standards be achieved, For easy reference a summary of recommendations appears on page 23, follo wed on page 24 by information on how the FSADC can help with farther advice. Both the FSADC, and BA SES - which represents the seat suppliers - hope that the information in this booklet will be of value to clubs in all sectors o f football, League and non-League, and welcome any enquiries, comments or suggestions for this, or any future publications.

INTRODUCTION 1. Inquiry by Lord Justice Taylor into the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, Final Report, HMSO Cm 962, London, Januaiy 1990

1.0 WHAT ARE VIEWING STANDARDS FOR SEATED SPECTATORS? It goes without saying that every person attending a football match should be able to enjoy an unobstructed view of the event he or she has paid to see. Unfortunately in many cases that is an elusive goal, given the stadium infrastructures we have inherit­ ed from previous generations. However, there can be no excuse for instal­ ling new seating which does not meet mini­ mum viewing standards. By this, we do not mean the removal of physical obstructions. Viewing standards in this case refers to the ability of the seated spectator to see a predetermined focal point (on the pitch) over the top of the head of the spectators sitting immediately in front. This viewing standard is often referred to as the 'sightline'. (Note: Sightlines should not be confused with ‘viewing distances’, the measurement of how far the spectator is from certain parts of the pitch. These will be examined in forthcoming FSADC information booklets.) It is patently self-defeating to invest in high-quality seating if spectators cannot see the game fully and in comfort. And yet false calculations have often been made by inex­ perienced architects and builders, some­ times at great cost to the clients and considerable irritation to the ers. The FSADC therefore strongly advises that clubs employ experienced professionals for these important calculations, and that computer analysis is the best way to perform the task accurately2.

1.1 How are sightlines calculated? There is a simple mathematical calculation to work out the sightlines for seated specta­ tors, but it becomes complicated once one realises that the calculation must be made for every row of seating and for every vari­ able which the design throws up, such as variations in the rake of the stand, the cur­ vature of a particular corner, or the height and depth of the concrete treads and risers. The basis of the calculation is explained in Diagram 1 (see next page), which shows how the formula is derived from simple trigonometry. The essentials are as follows:

1.2 ‘C’ Values An accepted international standard of the distance between the centre of the eye and the top of the head is 120mm. This mea­ surement is referred to as the ‘C’ value. Research by NASA in the USA found that for 95 per cent of American adult males the distance between the centre of the eye and the top of the head is 127mm or less, and in 5 per cent of adult males 104mm or less. In some sporting venues, for example

racecourses, where hats are often worn, the ‘C1value is sometimes increased to 150mm or even 200mm to ensure good sightlines. But at a cricket ground, where the action seldom comes close to the stands, a ‘C’ value of 90mm to the outer area of the play­ ing field might be acceptable. This is because we have a tendency to tilt our heads backwards slightly as the action moves closer towards us, thus reducing the distance between the centre of the eye and the top of our head to only 90mm. At a football match the action moves to all parts of the pitch, so ideally every football stadium would be designed to provide a ‘C’ value of 120mm to all parts of the pitch. But, as Diagram 2 (see next page) illus­ trates, a higher ‘C’ value has consequences for the rake (or angle) of the stand and its height, a particular problem for larger stadia, especially multi-tiered designs. As a result, in some areas of large stadia it is difficult to achieve a ‘C’ value greater than 60mm. Diagram 3 (page 9) shows how bringing the touchline nearer to a stand, while main­ taining a 'C' value of 120mm, affects the height of the stand.

1.3 Angle of Rake The angle of rake is the measurement of how steeply or gently the stand or terrace slopes down towards the touchline, and since this is an important element in creating good sightlines it is worth under­ standing. We will, however, be referring to the rake of stands in future FSADC publica­ tions concerned with stand design. The ideal football ground would have as many spectators as close to the action as possible, but that would entail very steeply raked stands. Italian codes of practice sug­ gest that a stadium rake can be as steep as 41 degrees, and rakes of over 35 degrees are to be found in North American stadia. In the UK, however, the angle of rake is determined by safety limits for staircases. Before its abolition the GLC set a limit of 35 degrees for stands within its jurisdiction. The Green Guide currently recommends a rake of no more than 34 degrees, but this may be increased if additional compensatory measures are provided (see Green Guide3 para. 182 pp 38-9). Rakes of more than 34 degrees can induce a vertigo effect, and it is noticeable that in the steeper Italian stadia, handrails are provided in front of each seat. Shallower rakes are usually found on lower tiers, with the upper decks of stands being steeper in order to accommodate more spectators closer to the pitch with an acceptable standard of view.

2. The FSADC is compiling a of professionals with experience of or interest in stadium design. For details of how to use the , please see page 24.

3. Green Guide - the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds, HMSO 1990.

7

Diagram 1. Viewing standards for seated spectators - illustrations of

'C' Values • 150mm: Excellent viewing standards

Point of Focus D = Distance to point of focus R = Height to point of focus

\z___ V

VALUE

A\

• 120mm: Veiy good • 90mm: Reasonable. This should be the minimum for newly constructed seated areas • 60mm: Below minimum standards, only acceptable in certain sections of very large stadia. Spectators will only be able to see between heads of people in front.

RISER HEIGHT 4/ TREAD DEPTH or Seating Row Depth

To determine the riser height required for a desired 'C' value, use the calculation cited on page 9 opposite

Diagram 2. The effect of changing 'C' values

C = 150 6 metres

C = 120 C = 90 C = 60

POINT OF FOCUS - typically near touchline

Notice how higher 'C' values raise the level required at the rear of the stand

The vertigo effect in such upper tiers can be lessened by reducing the number of rows in that tier, ie. the steeper the rake, the shorter the run of treads should be. Diagram 4 (see below) shows how the height of a stand is affected by the change in height of the first row of seats, when at the same time trying to maintain a ‘C’ value of 120mm.

1.4 Riser heights Viewing standards will be affected by the riser height of each seating row. In small, single-tiered stands the riser height will be constant. In large and multi-tiered stand the riser heights should be varied, in order to provide optimum sightlines for each seat. For ease of construction designers often divide the tier into facets (ie. several rows treated as one), adjusting the riser height slightly between facets. The difference between each facet’s riser height may vary by only a few mms, but the overall effect on viewing standards can be quite significant. The following calculation is used to deter­ mine the riser height:

N

Diagram 5. Worked example of calculation for riser height

= (R t C) X (D ±-I) _ r D

Where: N= R= C= D=

riser height height between eye and point of focus viewing standard, ie. the ‘C’ value distance from eye to point of focus (typically the near touchline) T = tread depth, ie. depth of seating row Using a typical set of figures (see Diagram 5), this is how the calculation looks in practice. Note that this calculation must be done for every row. (All measurements in mm): N = (6 .00 0 + 120) x (20 .0 00 + 8 0 0 ) _ « nnn Note that th e figures R, D & T for position A

20,000 therefore:

^ _ (6,120) x (20,800) _ @qoo

20,000 therefore:

N = 6 ,3 6 4 .8 - 6,0 0 0

therefore:

N = 364.8m m

Diagram 3. The effect of bringing the point of focus nearer to a stand

6m

'C = 1 2 0

9m

I

Jfk.

9.2m 7.3m

Moving the point of focus 3m nearer the first row adds 1.9m to height at rear

POINT OF FOCUS

Diagram 4. The effect of raising the height of the first row of seats

13m 11.1m

6m

POINT OF FOCUS

34 degree rake

9.2m

Raising the first row provides better viewing standards, but also has the effect of adding to the height at rear

are used to determ ine the riser height N for position B

2.0 HOW CAN EXISTING TERRACES BE ADAPTED FOR SEATING? It should be stressed that the conversion of standing to seated accommodation is not confined simply to putting seats onto exist­ ing terraces, be they timber or concrete. Many other factors have to be considered if the new seating is to conform with all the necessary criteria (such as correct sight­ lines, rakes, gangways etc.) Clubs intending to embark upon a conver­ sion project of this nature should consult with the local licensing authority (that is the authority responsible for the issue of the Safety Certificate under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 or the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987). There should also be an input from the police and fire authority prior to any con­ struction work being undertaken. It is also important to note that in order to qualify for grant aid, certain other criteria must be met.

4. Details from the Football Trust, Walkden House, 10 Metton Street, London NW12EJ. Tel. 071 388 4504

• The Football Trust must be notified with an accurate estimate and description of works, followed by three competitive tenders and approval by the Trust before work starts4. • The proposed scheme must fall into the Trust’s designated category for funding, although the conversion of terraces from standing to seating normally does. Guidance from the Football Trust should be sought in any event.

2.1 Eveiy case is different Convenient though it would be if hard and fast rules could be laid down for the conver­ sion of standing accommodation to seats, the truth is that conditions vary enormously from one venue to another. The following sections seek to cover some of the most common situations.

2.2 How can terraces be reprofiled to provide good sightlines? There are four basic ways to reprofile an existing terrace to prepare it for seating. Each one is primarily geared towards pro­ viding adequate viewing standards for seated spectators. It must be stressed that high standards of finishing, especially when using concrete, are absolutely essential for trouble-free seat installation and subsequent maintenance of the seats.

10

Note also that because of the reduction in capacity from standing to seating, the ‘live load’ on the terrace or on the stand’s struc­ tural will also be reduced.

1. If sub-soil conditions allow - ie. the ground can bear the weight - the terraces can be reprofiled with mass concrete. (See Diagram 6 opposite page). 2. Pre-cast concrete units can be used to the same effect, but solid foundations will still be required, and there may be ‘lead-in times’ to consider (ie. the units will need to be ordered in advance). 3. Should the existing terrace not be considered suitable to carry the imposed dead load of mass or pre-cast concrete, or where the terrace is very narrow (such as the enclosure area in front of an old stand), or where the stand is unlikely to be retained for much longer, it may be simpler and cheaper to reprofile using other methods. These may include the following: a. lightweight concrete: there are various methods of producing lightweight concrete, for example, creating air voids in the con­ crete, omitting fine aggregate or adding a foaming agent to the mix. The most readily used method is to use lightweight aggre­ gate, such as blast furnace slag or fly ash. b. polystyrene blocks: used more com­ monly for building up roadway embank­ ments, this method involves creating a brick or blockwork grid, filling the voids with specially cut polystyrene blocks (thereby reducing the dead load) then laying concrete on top. It is more expensive than using mass concrete, being more labour intensive. c. steel plates or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) terrace units: these can be formed to provide the required terrace profile and ed on either a temporary or perma­ nent steel substructure fixed upon the exist­ ing standing terrace. 4. If the concrete is in prime condition and the treads and risers allow the new seats to be bolted directly onto the existing concrete, the required sightlines can be achieved by adjusting the height of the seating’s metal underframe. This is by far the cheapest method of con­ verting terraces and providing good sight­ lines, but it should only be treated as a last resort or as a way of simply fine-tuning the conversion work. Adjustment should only take place within the comfortable seating height range. BASES advises that the British Standard for seat heights is 445m m s, but it would be acceptable to vary this within the range 4 4 0 - 460m m s to enable sightlines to be improved.

Diagram 6. Reprofiling terraces using mass concrete Existing barrier removed

Riser fixed tip-up seats New barrier Existing barrier removed

• - *. ' ' ; -a%jji New seated terrace. 'r - ^ 1----1---------

Existing seated terrace

Existing standing terrace

I----New drainage channel

2.3 Ground conditions

2.5 Numbers v. comfort

A considerable number of standing terraces are built on ‘filled’ ground, the result of a ’cut and fill’ process undertaken when the stadium was first laid out. Other terraces have been formed by the dumping of ash, building rubble, or tube excavations at some London venues. Some clubs with such bank­ ing have found that the sub-soil conditions are inadequate for remodelling or for adding roofs. The surfaces of these terraces also causes concern. Invariably they are covered in weak concrete, asphalt, paving slabs or a combination of materials. In severe cases, prolonged neglect has meant these terraces are beyond economic repair and certainly totally unsuitable for fixing seats upon.

The two would seem to be mutually exclusive. Clubs obviously desire maximum comfort levels. Ultimately a responsible compromise will have to be reached to satisfy safety requirements, but it should not be forgotten that comfortable seating is more likely to be favourably received (arid possibly even treated) by sceptics, and that uncomfortable spectators may not give the new seats a second chance.

The FSADC strongly urges clubs with ‘filled’ banks o f terracing to carry out a thor­ ough ground investigation in conjunction with a Consulting Structural Engineer to determine the nature of the sub-soil and establish the load bearing capacity. Where ‘land fill’ sites have been used, a geo-technical expert should also be consulted to advise on ground contamination prob­ lems such as methane gas or toxicity levels (which could have a detrimental effect on subsequent concrete constructions).

2.6 How will the conversion affect the layout of gangways? Although the numbers will be reduced for that section of the stadium (see Section 2.4), it is unlikely that there will be suffi­ cient access points or vomitories to serve individual gangways.

Diagram 7. Reprofiling terraces using concrete infill on treads

2.4 How will the conversion affect capacity? Calculations will vary from stadium to stadium, but from a survey of twelve recent conversions it has been found that new seats can be provided in lieu of standing at the ratio of approximately 1:2 (ie. a terrace holding 5 ,000 standing spectators will accommddate 2 ,5 00 seats).

Concrete infill to alternate s te p s to form new seating terrace

For riser fixing the concrete riser height must be at least 200mm. See section 6.3

Note that the provision of more access points, such as vomitories, is preferable to the use of lateral gangways, which take up considerably more space, thus adding to the reduction in capacity. Nevertheless, a system of lateral gang­ ways may be necessary to achieve an even distribution of spectators. Each of these lateral gangways may in turn serve a number of radial gangways, and they will need to be of sufficient width to accommodate the cumulative capacity of all spectators using this circulation route. Where possible, avoid a situation where seats are provided on one side of a gang­ way only, as this is not an efficient use of circulation space. Diagram 8 (below) shows two relatively modern terraces which have been converted and illustrate how radial gangways are fed either from the front or rear. Note however that although front lateral gangways can sometimes assist in satisfy­ ing the Green Guide para 3 08 (which recom­ mends walkways between the pitch and ter­ race), the movement of people along this gangway during a match can lead to ill feel­ ing from spectators in the front rows. There will be more detailed information concerning circulation within stadia in future FSADC booklets.

2.7 How will the conversion affect the layout of turnstiles and exits? The numbers of turnstiles and exit widths should not be a cause for concern because

there is likely to be an overprovision due to the reduction in spectator capacity. However, the location of these facilities can be critical in establishing a satisfactory circulation pattern for spectators, especially on large areas of terracing, where entrances and exits are sometimes grouped in strategic positions. It may be necessary in certain circum­ stances to consider relocating turnstiles and exits to achieve a more even distribu­ tion relative to the proposed seating layout, in order to avoid unacceptably long travel distances and reduce potential bottlenecks and funnelling.

2.8 Conversion costs Because ground conditions vary so much it is impossible to provide an accurate guide to conversion costs. A Football League survey showed that among twelve clubs to have installed seat­ ing on former terraced areas during 1990, the costs (including ground preparation, new barriers, seat purchase etc) ranged from approximately £ 1 8 per seat, where basic seats were installed on existing terracing, up to £101 where a whole new turnstile and entry system had also to be provided for greater safety. The majority of costs fell within the £35 75 cost bracket. Note that the Football Trust provides grant aid at 75 per cent o f approved expenditure, up to a ceiling o f £ 7 0 per seat installation costs (see Section 10.11).

Diagram 8. Examples of lateral gangway layouts on newly converted terraces Vomitory

Gangway-

Lateral walkway at front

Vomitory

Lateral walkway at rear

Gangway

12

Diagram 9. Illustration of and measurements for tip-up seats 4

i

i

*

Seat width measured /-'b e tw e e n seat centres

Riser height

^

A Seat down dimension B Seatway or Clearway C Tipped dimension

- F

D Useful seat depth E Seat back overhang F Seating row depth or Tread depth

Seatway or Clearway Seating row depth or Tread depth

3.0 WHAT SEAT DIMENSIONS ARE REQUIRED? The Green Guide covers the subject of seat­ ing dimensions on pages 39-40. While appreciating that clubs wish to install as many seats as is safely practical, the FSADC advises that certain minimum dimensions are too small for comfort, and fall some way below other international standards. See Diagram 9 above for an explanation of .

3.1 The seatway, or clearway As can be seen from Diagrams 9 and 10, the measurement between the foremost projection of the seat (if a tip-up seat, in the tipped up position) and the back of the seat in front is called the 'seatway'. The Green Guide uses the term 'clearway'. This mea­ surement is important for two reasons. The seatway is the age along which spectators and other personnel must squeeze past other spectators. Obviously, the narrower the seatway the more difficult it is to by. A narrow seatway also creates problems for the occupier of the seat, not only when standing up to allow others to , but also when sitting. The Green Guide recommends a minimum clearway of 305m m . For non tip-up seats, however, the FSADC recommends a pre­ ferred minimum of 400m m

If installing seats with armrests, the pro­ jection of the armrests should not lessen the the 305mm minimum seatway measurement.

Note that in Scotland, different criteria apply. The Scottish Building Regulations (E2.63) state that in rows of up to 1 1 seats with one gangway or 2 2 seats with two gangways, the minimum seatway must be 400m m . In longer rows the minimum increases to 500m m . (See also Section 4.)

Diagram 10. Dimensions for bench seats Minimum seating row depth recommended 700mm.

3.2 Seating row depth As can be seen from Diagram 9, the depth of the 'seating row’ is the depth of the terrace tread on which the seat is placed. The Green Guide advises a minimum seating row depth of 610mm (which includes the minimum 305mm seatway). However, the Green Guide goes on to recommend that for comfort the seating row depth should be 760mm. BASES5 recommends the following mini­ mum seating row depths and seatway dimensions. (Note that the seating row depth always includes the measurement for the seatway.) Row depth inc. Seatway Bench or tractor type Fixed seat with back Tip-up seat with back

700mm 900mm 760mm

400mm 400mm 305mm

BASES recommends that for new construction, wherever the option exists, clubs aim for a row depth measuring at least 760mm, and 800m m if at all possible.

Minimum seatway recommended 400mm

5. BASES {British Association of Spectator Equipment Suppliers), 23 Brighton Road,' South Croydon, CR2 6EA. Tel. 0816811 242.

13

3.3 Useful seat depth Diagram 11. Sections showing how measurements can vary between different types of tip-up seats Example 1. Tip-up seat with a tipped dimension of 320mm, a seat-down dimension of 500mm and a back overhang of 100mm:

100

320 ^ — 5 0 0 — ^ ^ S e a tw a y ) ^ I

N ^ d e p t f f 3' /

^

K-

¥

e r r '.

¥

/ _ S e a t i n g ro u t\ depth

Seating Row Depth Seatway Useful Seat Depth 525 305 625 560 340 660 660 440 760* * FSADC recommended standard

Example 2. Tip-up seat with a tipped dimension of 210mm, a seat-down dimension of 470mm and a back overhang of 70mm: 70

210 4

7

0

Seat way ^

I

Useful seat 'depth

c:

4

c:

i Seating row depth

Seating Row Depth Seatway Useful Seat Depth 555 415 625 590 450 660 690 550 760* * FSADC recommended standard

(The equivalent recommendations for seating row depths in and the USA are 800mm and 762mm respectively. In Australia the State of Victoria stipulates a seating row depth of 850mm. There is another reason for recommend­ ing a seating row depth of 760 - 800mm. Where riser heights go above 380mm, which will occur in stadia holding more than approximately 20,000 spectators, a tread depth of 760mm or more allows two steps of 190mm risers to be placed in the aisle (see Diagram 12 right).

There is a third, crucial dimension which affects the comfort of seated spectators. BASES call this dimension the 'useful seat depth’. This is the horizontal distance between the back of the seat, measured at seat height, and the rear of the back of the seat in front (see Diagrams 10 and 11). The New Metric Handbook (ed. P.Tutt and D.Adler, Butterworth 1990) found that 90 per cent of males in the 18-40 age group measure between 568 - 660mm from the rear of the buttocks to the front of the knee. The average measurement is cited as 614mm. In order to cater comfortably for the majority of spectators therefore - and note that average sizes are gradually increasing conditions should ideally allow for the provi­ sion of a 'useful seat depth' of at least 660mms. Another factor affecting the 'useful seat depth' is the height of the riser, since the position of the knees can be affected by the height of the back of the seat in front. Riser heights of up to 200mm or over 400mm do not usually cause problems, as the knees either fit inside the back of the seat in front, or remain above it. Before purchasing, check all dimensions with the seat manufacturers because, as Diagram 11 illustrates, the varying dimen­ sions of different seat models will affect the 'useful seat depth’ created on different seating row depths.

3.4 Seat width Seat widths are often expressed in of the distance between two seat centres (see Diagram 9). The minimum width, according to the Green Guide, should be 460mm if the seat has no arms. BASES adds that where seat-for-seat replacement is being consid­ ered, a width of 450mm is acceptable. The Green Guide minimum for seats with arms is 500mm. BASES consider that 490mm is acceptable. Note that when calculating the length of a row of seats, allowance must be made for the end of row ing posts. For example, ten seats at 460mm centres require 4600mm plus approximately 75mm (depending on type of seat chosen).

Diagram 12. Riser heights and aisle steps Aisle steps \

Terrace riser

...

1

Seating row ^ depth ^

4.0 HOW MANY SEATS CAN BE INSTALLED BETWEEN AISLES? 4.1 Current guidelines The Green Guide states in para 187: “the number of seats in a row should not normal­ ly exceed a. 14 where there is a gangway at one end only b. 28

where there is a gangway at both ends

The FSADC endorses these figures.

BASES suggest in addition that BS 5588 Part 6 19916 should be the guide where escape route distances are taken into con­ sideration. Note that in Scotland the number of seats between aisles has a direct bearing on the minimum seatway measurement (see Section 3.1).

6. BS 5588 Part 6 1991: 'Fire precau­ tions in the design, construction and use of buildings'. HMSO 1991.

(It is interesting to note that this figure of 28 seats per row compares with 22 in the USA and Australia, 48 in Italy and 96 in . In English theatres the maximum is 22 seats per row.)

5.0 WHAT TYPES OF SEATING ARE AVAILABLE? Ideally clubs should opt for the highest quality of seat type they can afford. Practically, however, it may be necessary to install different seat types in different parts of the stadium.

5.1 Bench seats Continuous bench seating without a back was sometimes used to provide cheap seating in British football grounds before the 1980s and is common at older stadia in Europe. It usually consists of solid concrete forms or wooden planks placed on concrete plinths. Nowadays, in order to qualify for current grants from the Football Trust, bench seat­ ing must have individual indents to identify each seating position. Modern versions, sometimes called multi­ ple seats, are available in aluminium or moulded GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), with, if necessary, a metal underframe which can be fixed directly onto the terrace. This type of seating is cheap, easy to clean the actual seat (though harder to clean around the underframe) and some would argue that it is safer because it allows spec­ tators to step over the seats in the event of an emergency. However, it is also easier for spectators to stand on bench seats (which in itself is a danger) and therefore the seat material and metal frame must be more robust. Seating of this type should only be consid­ ered for the cheapest areas of ission.

5.2 One-piece seats without backs Individual seats without backs - sometimes called ‘tractor’ seats - are available for fix­ ing directly onto the terrace tread. Sometimes an additional metalwork understructure is necessary to achieve the correct seat height.

5.3 One-piece seats with backs As with tractor seats, these can be fixed directly onto the terrace tread or placed upon a metal understructure. They have no moving parts and are there­ fore easier to maintain than tip-up seats with a back. However one-piece seats with backs take up considerably more room than either backless or tip-up seats, requiring a 'seat­ ing row depth' of 900mm compared with the recommended 760mm for tip-up seats (see Section 3.2, page 14). In common with tractor seats, these types are more likely to be stood upon by specta­ tors, so they must be strong, but they are also easy to clean and are cheaper per unit.

5.4 Tip-up seats This is the most common form of seating in places of public entertainment and, as a survey of Football League clubs showed in 1991 (see Introduction), it is also the pre­ ferred type of seating at major football stadia. This is because tip-up seats take up less space, are easier to clean around, and allow spectators, the police and first-aid person­ nel to more freely along rows, a vital consideration during an emergency. Tip-up seats are also less likely to be stood upon during a game. A further advantage is that individual seats can be upgraded by the addition of fixed cushioning, thus allowing you to pro­ vide greater comfort without major outlay. Note that some manufacturers of tip-up seats use the same mouldings for both the seat and the seat back, which can lead to lower costs and simpler replacement and maintenance procedures (although some people may judge there to be a slight loss of comfort).

J.

Tip-up seats can be supplied either with indi­ vidual fixings or linked together using com­ mon ing posts, fixed either to the ter­ race tread or to the terrace riser (see Sections 6.2 - 6.4). There is a choice of three types of tip-up arrangement: 1. the spectator must manually raise the seat after use 2. the seat is counterweighted to raise automatically 3. the seat is spring-loaded to raise automatically

The second type is likely to be more prac­ tical for general stadium usage. The first type is not recommended because some safety officers may determine that the mini­ mum 'seatway' of 305mm (see Section 3.1) be measured when the seat is in the down position, whereas for types 2 and 3 the measurement is made with the seat in the up position (see Green Guide p.39). When choosing a tip-up seat, examine the pivot arrangement for noise, ease of use, and the materials used. A plastic stop (to prevent the seat drop­ ping down) and a nylon pivot bush elimi­ nates metal-to-metal and thus reduces the chance of corrosion.

Diagram 13. Different seat types, frames and methods of fixing

J C ~ _ "

Front tread or nose fixedseats -f T-

Tread fixed seats-

c: -

J c:~

Riser fixed seats-

Tread and riser fixed seats

16

T

y

6.0 WHAT TYPES OF SEAT FRAMES ARE AVAILABLE? The choice of seat must be made in con­ junction with the choice of seat frame (ie. its ing structure). Time, money and effort could well be saved by choosing a type of frame which, when being installed, requires the least amount of modification work to an existing stand or terrace. Obviously space and money will be saved by installing rows of seats on linked frames rather than using individual frames for each seat, but if the terrace on which the seating is being installed is curved or angled some individual frames or short-run linked frames will be necessary. Diagram 13 on the opposite page shows how different seat types can be ed and fixed in the following ways:

6.1 Front tread fixing Front tread fixing is when the seat pan is attached directly to the leading edge of the terrace's concrete tread. Seats can also be shaped to hug the nos­ ing of the terrace. A concrete step of up to 400mm high is required to provide a comfortable sitting position, but lower heights can be supple­ mented by the addition of a shallow ­ ing understructure. This type of fixing is most commonly found in the sunnier climes of Southern Europe and Latin America, where the stadium ter­ races were already designed for spectators to sit directly upon the concrete. Note that front tread or nose fixed seats require a ‘seatway’ of 400mm compared with 305mm for tip-up seats. (Section 3.1).

6.2. Tread or floor fixing Tread or floor fixing is when the seat’s frame is attached directly onto the terrace floor. This method has the disadvantage of mak­ ing it harder to sweep litter from under the seat. A longer ing seat post is also required, and this must be sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure of specta­ tors pushing the seat from behind. It has also been found with tread or floor fixed seats that the actual fixings are sus­ ceptible to corrosion where poor drainage allows water to collect on the terrace floor. This is a particular failing where older, or poorly maintained terracing is not upgraded before seats are installed, or where new concrete has been laid unsatisfactorily.

6.3 Riser fixing This is the preferred method for fixing tip-up seats. In this case the seat frame is bolted to the riser of the terrace, leaving the floor clear for spectators to step back into and for litter clearance. However, you can only use this method of fixing if the terrace riser is sufficiently high - ie. a minimum of 160mm for wood risers and 200mm for concrete.

6.4 Combined tread and riser fixing Where terrace risers are not quite high enough for riser fixings alone, for example between 150-200mm in concrete, there is a compromise version available whereby the seat fixings are attached to both the riser and the tread.

17

7.0 WHAT MATERIALS AND FINISHES ARE ADVISED? For the seat, its ing frame and its fixings, a careful choice of materials is strongly advised. You should take into how much wear and tear seats in certain parts of the stadium are likely to suffer, how exposed the seats will be to the elements, and whether it is cost-effective in the long-term to opt for the cheaper types. Less robust seating may cost less but subsequent unit replacement and ongoing maintenance problems may soon wipe out the intitial saving. The material of the seat frame and its finish are more important than the material of the seat itself. Choosing high quality fin­ ishing can extend the life of the metalwork by up to five times, and it is far cheaper to replace the seat than the metalwork. High quality, well maintained frames may last for 2 0 years or more, whereas it is almost certain that the seats and backs will need to be replaced within that period. The durability of the seat itself depends on the material chosen.

7.1 Seat materials The principle materials available for modern seating are Polypropylene (the most com­ mon), Polyethylene, Polyamide (Nylon), PVC and GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). However, many football and sports grounds still use wooden seating extensive­ ly, and in a few cases metal seating. Table 1 opposite offers a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantage of each material.

7.2 Seat frame materials These are invariably metallic, usually fabri­ cated steelwork, although cast aluminium is available at a price. Technological advances have resulted in the development of moulded plastic seat frames, and it is possible that in time these will become widely used. At present however the FSADC is unable to comment on the durability or performance of this material.

7.3 Seat frame finishes Apart from the material, the most important factor is the finish, because this can seri­ ously affect the long-term durability of the seat structure. A number of finishes for metallic frames are available, with 'life expectancy to first

maintenance' varying from 1- 20 years, dependent on location. There are three recommended finishes: 1. Electrostatically coated nylon powder 2. Hot dip galvanising to BS 729 3. Electrostatically coated nylon powder on grit blasted, hot-dipped galvanising Finishes 2 and 3 should be specified where weathering is likely to occur. Finish 1 could be used at the rear of stands, where the seats will be more sheltered from the elements. Finish 3 is the most expensive and should be carried out to BS 729, using high quality steel. The nylon coating adds resistance to U.V. rays, acid rain, salt and heavy impact. (An equivalent to nylon coating is acceptable providing it is shown to be both technically sound, using the accelerated weathering test to BS 5466 Part 1, and it forms a bond to the metalwork which will not peel off if its surface is broken.) In both cases, check to find out if a means of economically maintaining the metalwork is available, Note that cheaper finishes are more sus­ ceptible to cracking, chipping, rust formation and peeling, and are much harder to repair.

7.4 Durability of finishes in different locations The geographical location of your stadium will affect the durability of the seat frame. The weather in inland locations, for example, will be less damaging to the metalwork than in humid, damp, polluted or coastal regions. Minimum guarantees to first maintenance of five years on plastic/nylon-coated metal­ work, eight years on galvanised metalwork and ten years on nylon-coated galvanising should be expected.

7.5 Fixings The seat frame should be bolted to the con­ crete with rustproof fixings. Stainless steel bolts and fastenings are preferable. They add little to the cost but considerably enhance the seat’s long-term appearance and ease of maintenance. Note also the advice in Section 6.2 re: corrosion of fixings.

TABLE 1. SEAT MATERIALS In the UK, the most commonly used material for stadium seating is Polypropylene with UV (ultra-violet stabilizers) and absorbers (see first column). A number of other materials available on the market are compared in the table below, compiled by BASES. Wood and metal are still used, but have been excluded as they are both uneconomic when compared to plastics. It should be noted that the figures given for the 'raw material cost factor' are for information only, and do not necessarily reflect unit costs to the buyer.

U.V Polypropylene

U .V./Fire Retardancy Polypropylene

U.V. High Density Polyethylene

Polyamide (Nylon)

P.V.C Compound

G.R.P.

Raw material cost factor

1.0

1.4

1.2

3.2

1.8

approx. 7.0

Availability

Readily available

Limited

Readily available

Limited

Limited

Limited

Colour Range

Very Good

Good

Very Good

Limited

Limited

Very Good

Volume Manufacture

Very Good

Good

Very Good

Good

Good

Very Poor

Flame Retardancy to BS 5 8 5 2

Ignition Source 0

Ignition Source 7

Ignition Source 0

Selfextinguishes

Selfextinguishes

Selfextinguishes

Reaction to low temperatures (-5° C)

Brittle

Brittle

Very Good

Very Good

Very Good

Very Good

Reaction to high tem peratures(+50° C)

Very Good

Very Good

Good

Very Good

Very Good

Very Good

Reclamation and Recycling

Easy

Moderate

Easy

Moderate

Specialised

None

W eatherabllity

Good

Good

Good

Very Good

Very Good

Very Good

Deformation

Recovers

Recovers

Poor

N/A

N/A

N/A

Number o f years in production

27

04

20+

19

01

25+

8.0 WHAT COLOUR SEATS SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? This is obviously a matter of choice, but it maybe worth considering a few technical quali­ ties and different approaches.

8.1 Stability

7. For further details refer to BS 1006: B01C 'Blue Wool Standards'.

Every manufacturer has its own range of colours, but some colours are more suscepti­ ble to fading when exposed to ultra-violet rays (bright sunlight) and other extremes of weath­ er, such as acid rain. Two factors which affect colour stability are the colour pigment itself and the level of addi­ tives in the mouldings. To ensure that the best colour pigments are chosen for the location in question, light fast­ ness (ie. resistance to fading) is measured on what is called a Blue Wool Scale7. A perfor­ mance of 7 or 8 on this scale should indicate that a colour pigment will not fade too rapidly. To ensure that the colour will last even longer - although no guarantees can be given because conditions vary, even within the same stadium - additives are necessary, namely UV stabilizer and absorber. Full strength colours (eg. red, blue, black and green) are more stable than pastel varia­ tions (such as pink and sky blue). Vet sky blue has excellent anti-glare characteristics under floodlight. Clubs who include black in their team colours may be interested to note that of all the colours, black is the best for colour stabili­ ty and for weatherability. Yellow and orange are not good for stability.

8.2 Cost Costs vary according to colour. Choosing a

non-standard colour may lead to delays in delivery and a being charged. Similarly, you may have to pay more if you order smaller quantities. of the Football League should refer to Section 10.12 to find out more about the League’s plans for bulk purchase.

8.3 Colour mixing Apart from the now common use of multi­ coloured seats to spell out a club’s name, dif­ ferent seat colours can be used to differenti­ ate between blocks in the same stand. This may be considered a useful aid for ticketing and signage. A disadvantage of this system is that if the stadium is only half full the different colours detract from the overall impression of the stadium. In several large stadia in Europe and the USA the same seat colour has been provided throughout, to create a unified, and often dig­ nified image overall. Very often this single colour is a neutral one - such as grey - so that the spectators provide the colour, rather than the seats. Very light colours, however, can be hard on the eye if there is only a small crowd. In Sweden, where attendances can be low, one stadium has used random colour seats (mainly blue, orange, red and yellow), which uncannily gives the speckled appearance of a full stand, even when few people are in attendance! Note also the comments of one manager who complained that during reserve games, from his position in the dug-out he was unable to distinguish his own players against the backdrop of the empty seats, since the seats and players’ shirts matched exactly.

9.0 WHAT FLAME RETARDANCY STANDARDS ARE REQUIRED? Unfortunately Fire Officers interpret flame retardancy to different standards throughout the country, so clubs should be sure to establish what standards apply before pur­ chasing seats. Note also that not only the material of the seat but also its design affects the standard of flame retardance.

9.1 Current standards

20

A minimum Ignition Source 0 of BS 5852 Part 1 should be acceptable, especially where the seats are attached to concrete. Upholstered seating should comply with Ignition Source 5 of BS 5852 Part 2 , as stated in the Green Guide, para 184. There are plastic products available which meet the higher flame retardancy standards of Ignition Source 5 of BS 5852 Part 2 and which also have colour stability against UV rays and weather. At present, however, the

choice of colours is limited in these materi­ als and there is a price to pay. Note also that some fire officers believe that the use of flame retardant additives means that when the seat does finally ignite it can produce dangerous toxic fumes, including bromides and carbon monoxide. Check with your Fire Officer first.

9.2 Design factors Some manufacturers feel that when it comes to testing for flame retardance the design of the seat itself is at least as criti­ cal as the material used. Double skin forms (ie. blow moulded) with rounded or smooth edges are, according to this view, preferable to those with plain edges. Again however, there is a price to pay. Blow moulded seats are 50-100% more expensive than conven­ tional injection moulded seats.

10.0 ARE THERE ANY OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER? So far we have covered the main points which must considered before purchasing seats for outdoor stadia. Here are some other factors worth taking into .

10.1 Seat strength There may be a minority of spectators who abuse the new seating you install in certain parts of the stadium. It is vital, therefore, that you feel confident that your chosen seat model has been rigorously tested. It has been learnt from experience that manufacturers' tests tend to be unrealistic and do not simulate the heavy usage to which stadium seats are often subjected. One standard to look for is that of the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) 8. Seats deemed ’suitable for use in a stadi­ um environment’ should have satisfied FIRA’s test strength requirements, which are based on BS 487 5 Part 1 to rating 5,

10.2 Drainage Fixed seats exposed to the elements will collect rain water unless provided with drain holes or shaped in such a way as to drain automatically.

10.3 Ease of cleaning The fewer fixings, the easier it will be to clean under the seats. But the finish of the seat itself is also a factor. Textured sur­ faces will be harder to keep clean, while smooth surfaces can show scratchmarks.

10.6 After sales service and maintenance contracts Most reputable manufacturers will offer these, or will be able to advise groundstaff on seat maintenance. Clubs should also consider how many extra seats and parts to keep in reserve, especially if non-standard colours have been chosen.

10.7 Press box seating Several ranges of seats available can be supplied with integrated writing shelves or tablets for use in the press box. However, before purchasing it would be worth ing your regular press box s to determine how much space they may need for computers, monitors, tele­ phones etc. It is hoped to deal more fully with media facilities in future FSADC publications. Note that the requirement for a minimum seatway of 305mm applies in this case to the distance between the rearmost projec­ tion of the shelf and the front of the seat (see Diagram 14 below).

8. FIRA, Maxwell House, Stevenage, Herts, SGI 2EW. Tel. 0438 313433

Diagram 14. Press box seating options Seatway must be min. 305mm

Free-standing shelf Integrated shelf

10.4 Vandal-proof fixings

cr. No seat is totally vandal proof, but obviously the fewer vulnerable points the better. Self-tipping seats make it harder for the seat to be stood upon. A robust frame under the seat shell will also minimise damages. It may be a false economy to provide cheaper seats in those areas of the stadium where vandalism may occur.

10.5 Ability to number seats In order to qualify for Football Trust grants, individual seats must be identifiable. It is therefore important to use a system of numbering which will be easily read and, being within a recessed disc, will stand up to regular wear and tear. No painting of numbers should be required with a modern seating system. Check also if the seating system has any facility for row numbers or letters to be attached to the end seat, if required.

10.8 Comfort and event usage Upholstered versions of standard seats are widely available, while some clubs may wish to upgrade their existing standard seating with the addition of back pads and cushions or full covers. Armrests cannot usually be added to exist­ ing standard seats. If the stadium is to be used for events other than football - for example, pop concerts, American football, public gather­ ings - it may be worth considering higher grade seats in sections where customers will sit for a longer period than 90 minutes, perhaps at higher ission prices.

21

10.9 Retractable and demountable seating This is unlikely to be an issue for most clubs. However, retractable and demount­ able seating is widely used in North America and in indoor arenas, and clubs may find it worthwhile to investigate their use, for exam­ ple for placing over athletics tracks, or in front of stands being rebuilt. Note that the addition of temporary seat­ ing must not compromise the viewing stan­ dards of existing stands or terraces.

10.10 Costs It is impossible for the FSADC to provide a comprehensive or accurate list of prices for different types of seating, but a list of sup­ pliers of stadium seating is available from the FSADC office. See page 24 for details.

10.11 Football Trust Grants The Football Trust has made the following statement on its policy concerning grants for seating: 'The Football Trust offers grant aid on seating, as with all its grant schemes, on the lowest approved tender received. ‘That does not mean, however, that only the cheapest solutions should be sought. It is for the football club to select appropriate companies from whom to secure quotations. ‘The Trust expects that in making their choice clubs will have regard to the quality and value for money represented by the product. 'The Trust wishes to see good quality, comfortable seating installed at football grounds. For this reason it has set its level of for approved expenditure on sealing at 75% and, following an investiga­ tion by its nominated surveyors, fixed a

ceiling of £70 for each individual seat installed. This includes the cost of the seat and any other approved work required for installation. ‘As with all projects related to the imple­ mentation of the Taylor Report, the Trust expects clubs to take into the requirements of the Football Licensing Authority and the advice of the FSADC.’

10.12 Schemes for Football League clubs Football League clubs should already be aware of a plan to bulk-purchase certain items, including seats. For further informa­ tion on this scheme : Football League Services Division, Stadium House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, Oxon. 0X8 6BH Tel. 09 9 3 776633. Fax. 0993 706505 Help towards the cost of converting terraces to seated areas (although not the cost of the seats themselves) is also available from the Jewson Family Enclosure Grant scheme. To qualify for aid, the seated area must be part of a family enclosure, and the building materials must be purchased from a branch of Jewsons. For further details : Steve Sutherland, Commercial and Marketing Dept., Football League, Winchester House, 259-269 Old Marylebone Road, London NW1 5RA Tel. 071 224 9944 Fax. 071 723 2792

‘>1

11. SUMMARY OF POINTS 1. Viewing standards • The FSADC recommends these be calcu­ lated by experienced professionals. • A 'C' value of 120mm is ideal, with a minimum of 90mm for new constructions. • The angle of rake should not exceed 3 4 “. • Riser heights need to be carefully calculated for each row, according to the given formula.

2. Adapting terraces for seating • Consult Football Trust and local licensing authority first. • Choose method of reprofil­ ing, taking into ground conditions and budget. • Expect terrace capacity to be halved, but don't ignore comfort. • Vomitories, gangways, turnstiles and exits may need to be adapted. • Costs are likely to fall between £35-75 per seat.

3. Seat dimensions • Seatway, or clearway, should be minimum of 305mm for tip-up seats, 400mm for fixed seats. In Scotland these dimensions may need to be increased. • Seating row depth should be at least 760mm for new construc­ tions. • Different models of tip-up seats have different dimensions, thus affecting the resultant seatway dimension and useful seat dimension. • Average male in sitting position measures 614mm from front of knee to rear of buttocks. BASES recom­ mends therefore a minimum useful seat dimension of 660mm. • Seat width should be minimum 460mm (or 490mm with arms).

ease of cleaning, but require risers of 160mm (wood) and 200mm (concrete). • Tread fixed seats harder to clean and sus­ ceptible to corrosion. • Front tread fixing needs riser of up to 400mm or shallow understructure.

7. Materials and finishes • Material and finish of seat frame far more important than material of seat. • Most common seat material is Polypropylene with ultra-violet stabilisers and absorbers. Nylon, PVC and GRP more durable. • Most durable but costliest finish for seat frame is electro­ statically coated nylon powder on grit-blast­ ed, hot-dipped galvanised metal. • Nylon coating onto steel may be accept­ able for seat frames in a dry environment (not humid or damp) and under cover, away from sunlight and rain. • Seat frame fixings should be stainless steel.

8. Colour • Colour stability against UV rays and weath­ er extremes is affected by the choice of colour pigment and the level of additives in the moulding. • Colour should be fade-resistant to 7 or 8 on the Blue Wool Scale. • Non-standard colours are more costly.

9. Flame retardancy standards • Minimum ignition source 0 of BS 5852 Part 1 should be acceptable, or if uphol­ stered ignition source 5 of BS 5852 Part 2. • Always check with local Fire Officer first.

4. Numbers of seats per row 10. Other factors • No more than 14 if gangway at one end only, 28 if gangways at both ends.

5. Seat types • Tip-up design with counterweighted seat, plastic pivot and nylon pivot bush prefer­ able. • Bench seats only suitable for cheap­ est areas of ission and must have indi­ vidual indent to qualify for grant aid. • One piece seats with or without backs economical, but former take up more room.

6. Seat frames • Linked frames cheaper than individual. • Riser fixed seat frames preferable for

• Seat should conform to the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) Strength Test, based on BS 4875 part 1 to rating 5 - suitable for use in stadium envi­ ronment. • Seat should drain automatically, be easy to clean, have vandal-proof fixings and a numeral indent. • The range of seat­ ing should be adaptable for use in press boxes, and where necessary, to offer com­ fort for other event usage. • Grants are available from the Football Trust, and for Football League clubs from the Jewson Family Initiative Scheme. • Football League clubs may wish to consider the Bulk Purchase Scheme being run by the FL Services Division.

23

FOOTBALL STADIA ADVISORY DESIGN COUNCIL '...to provide an authoritative source of knowledge for all those involved in the design and construction of stadia...' Report of th e Technical Working Party for Lord Justice Taylor’s Final Report

Serving the needs of football In August 1990 the Football Association and the Football League combined to implement Lord Justice Taylor's recommendation that an Advisory Design Council be set up. The Council's aim is to encourage higher standards of stadium design, promote wider knowledge and foster research The Council's Chairman is Gwilym Roberts CBE, F.Eng., Chairman of Acer Group Ltd and a past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The five are: Prof. Leonard Maunder OBE, F.Eng. (Dept, of Mechanical Engineering, University of Newcastle), Dr. Chris Nicholson PhD, C.Eng, MIM (Deputy Director at the Research & Laboratory Services Division, Health and Safety Executive), Geraint John (Chief Architect & Head of Technical Unit for Sport at the Sports Council), Alan Butterfield FRICS, FIHT, ACI Arb (Senior Partner at George Corderoy & Co) and Simon Inglis (journalist, author and member of the Football Licensing Authority). The Council's Executive Officer is Christine Gausden, MCIOB, to whom all enquiries should be made at the address below. The Council is privileged to draw upon the expertise of experienced individuals who form both its Architects Working Party and Engineers Working Party. Both groups will play a leading role in the drawing up of future publications, as will numerous other experts and organisations whose for the FSADC's aims is greatly appreciated.

Publications If you would like to receive notice of all FSADC publications, or would like to order further copies of this booklet, please apply in writing to the Executive Officer. Cheques for £1 2 .5 0 (inc. p&p) should be made payable to the FSADC. Forthcoming titles for 1991 include the following topics: • Feasibility Studies • Turf Systems • Stadia Costs

• Communication Systems • Toilets • Roofing • Steelwork • Police Facilities • Appointment of Professional Advisors • Planning Regulations and Applications • Legal Issues

The FSADC is also drawing up a selective Bibliography, comprising references to major publications, journals, papers, standards and regulations relating to football stadia and their design. Publication is planned for Autumn 1991.

The FSADC is in the process of compiling a of consultants, manufacturers and suppliers with experience of, or interest in, all stages of stadium design, listed under their areas of specialisation. Extracts from this will be freely available, on request, to all of the Football League and Football Association. Outside bodies will be asked to pay a search fee. If you wish your company to be included on the FSADC and have not yet received registration forms, please the Executive Officer at the address below.

24

The Football Stadia Advisory Design Council, Winchester House,259 - 269 Old Marylebone Road, London NW1 5RA Tel. 0 7 1 2 2 4 9944 Fax. 071 723 2792