What Is Auditorium Fixed Seating?
In an
auditorium, fixed seating is permanently fixed and cannot be moved around. It
is generally bolted to the floor or fixed to the risers of a tiered floor
structure. Auditorium fixed seating is usually fitted in linked rows whereby adjoining seats
will share an arm. In some executive and premium venues, seats will not be linked,
and individual seats will have space between them.
Traditionally,
auditorium fixed seating generally took the form of hardwood benches which were
uncomfortable when sitting for long periods and did not provide individual
personal space. Thankfully, auditorium seating has developed over the years to
the comfortable, fully upholstered seats we have today. Now individual seats
provide personal space whilst some venues have introduced double width ‘love
seats’ which accommodate 2 people.
Where Is Auditorium Fixed Seating Used?
Fixed
seating can be found in a range of venues from theatres and cinemas to
university lecture theatres and places of worship. Most of the spaces where it
is fitted will take the format of an auditorium where the floor is generally raked
or tiered to provide optimum sightlines for patrons. It can also be fitted to a
level floor.
The Benefits Of Auditorium Fixed Seating
Maximise
Capacity – Fixed
seating is the preferred choice in any venue that needs to maximise capacity. As
linked seats share an arm, they take up much less space than individual seats with
separate arms and there is no wasted space in between seats. Fixed seats can be
manufactured to various widths to ensure capacity on each row is maximised,
subject to a minimum seat width which allows for personal space.
Ease
of access – As
fixed seating is bolted to the floor, it can be supplied with flip-up seats.
This offers numerous benefits in auditoria, improving access along rows when
seats are unoccupied and giving patrons the space to stand and let others pass
by when they are occupied. Flip-up seats also provide ease of access for floor
cleaning which would be much more difficult otherwise.
Multi-purpose – fixed seating can be adapted
for a variety of uses. For lecture theatres and other educational
establishments, it can be manufactured with integrated writing tablets, rows of
fixed desking or individual folding desks. For theatres and cinemas, the arms
can be made with cup holders. For football stadiums seats can incorporate
heated seat and back pads to warm up cold match days.
Durable
and hard wearing
– fixed seating is manufactured with a robust steel frame which will provide
many years of maintenance-free service. This type of seating has to endure high
frequency usage, not only with patrons sitting for hours at a time but with
streams of people brushing past it, leaning on it and perhaps also resting on
parts of it which are not intended for this purpose. Although upholstery fabric
will eventually become worn over a long period of time, it is possible to have
seats, backs and arms reupholstered, giving the seating a new lease of life.
Metalwork can simply be sanded and repainted – there are many traditional
venues still using 100+ year old seat frames!
