Along with our options for stages, Mainstage also offer a range of seating options, including platforms for tiered seating. But what is tiered seating, when should you use it, and what are the advantages?
What is it?
A tiered seating system is one in which each row is set at incremental heights, so the seats closer to the front are situated lower than the seats further to the back. This can be set up in a number of ways, either by having a fixed set of tiered seating, such as in a cinema, theatre or concert hall; by having a portable tiered ‘bleacher‘ seating system, where seats are all fixed to a single system; or by using tiered platforms with ordinary portable seating to create an adaptable tiered seating system.
Where is it used?
Tiered seating is most commonly used in cinemas, theatres, concert halls, music venues, auditoriums and practically anywhere a performance requires an audience. Sightlines vary depending on the incremental height between seats. This may mean having a completely clear view over the people seated in the row in front of you, or a semi-obstructed view, and a clear view over everyone in front of them.
If you plan on having your audience in a number of rows, then tiered seating is often the way to make sure that everyone can see exactly what is happening at the front of the room, compared to flat seating where the further back people sit, the more difficult it is for them to see.
What are the advantages of tiered seating platforms?
While fixed seating works very well for rooms that serve as dedicated performance areas, the advantages of a portable, tiered platform solution for your seating are more suited for rooms that are multi-purpose, such as school halls and community centres:
Space-Saving Storage
Mainstage’s tiered seating platforms can be put together and taken apart as necessary, with chairs folding up and platforms being stored flat against each other. This allows you to save space on your tiered seating, by packing it down as flat as it can go and storing it when it’s not in use.
Portable
If you expect to use your seats in multiple places, or your storage is not directly attached to the hall in which you plan to use it, a tiered platform solution allows you the benefits of easy transportation. As well as packing down to a reasonable size, the platforms and chairs are lightweight, and each can come with a storage trolley that makes them easy to transport from place to place.
Adaptable
The tiered platform ranges we offer are designed to be adaptable to your needs. The system is completely modular, so if you only need two or three rows of seats one day, but five on another occasion, you won’t have to use all five every time. You can set up as many platforms and chairs as you need, and leave the rest safely in storage, making the platforms ideal for audiences which often change size.
Safe & Accessible
Our range of platforms intended for use with seating can come with a number of accessories that enhance their safety and accessibility. These platforms are designed to be able to withstand weight loading much heavier than they are likely to endure, so they will remain sturdy and stable. Platforms are also equipped with kick boards or chair stops. This prevents chairs from sliding off the back of a platform, and guard rails stop people and chairs falling off the edges of the system.
We provide DDA compliant ramps that can provide wheelchair access to the seating area, and since the chairs are not directly fixed they can easily be moved to accommodate. Step heights can also be set with lower increments to enable those with difficulty walking to access their seating more easily.
Bespoke
When you get in touch with our designers, you can request almost anything for your tiered seating platforms, ensuring that it will fit within your venue’s aesthetics, shape and size. You can choose the finish, whether or not to carpet the platforms, the upholstery of the seats and much more, whatever you need to make sure that the platforms are the right option for your venue.
How is it set up?
Cameo, Performa, Ovation and Premier tiered seating banks are incredibly easy to set up. Each deck has four removable legs which utilise a simple locking mechanism to lock the legs in place during use. You can see how it works here. Legs of individual platforms differ in height, so that each row of platforms can be higher than the rows below. Each of the platforms are then joined together with deck connectors, which in turn help to stabilise the overall structure.
The kickboards, guard rails and chair stops easily bolt onto the platforms in predefined locations, and guard rails can be attached to the aluminium extrusion to provide extra support and added strength. The ramp uses a number of platforms with adjustable legs to create a slope, with a feather piece at the bottom to allow wheelchairs to get over the initial step.
Cameo, Performa, Ovation and Premier are specifically designed to be easy to set up and take down, making it easy for you to provide your audience with a bespoke and useful seating solution.
If you would like to make an enquiry, or have any further questions, then please get in touch with us at 01524 844 099 where a member of our team will be happy to answer your questions.