FAQs

What is retractable seating?

Our retractable seating units (also referred to as telescopic, bleacher, or raked seating) create an area of tiered seating that enhances sightlines, improves audience comfort and maximises capacity whatever the event. Our retractable auditorium seating systems are designed to be efficiently closed away, manually or electronically, providing the end user with a multipurpose space. 

What is fixed seating?

Our fixed seating solutions are perfect for venues with permanent floors and/or tiers that they want to work with.  Providing fixed seating on these areas, our fixed seating can be installed alone or in combination with a retractable seating package.  Making your space work best for you.

What platforms do you sell?

Our telescopic and retractable seating ranges include Hussey Seating MAXAM gym bleachers and telescopic platform seating and Seatway TP retractable platforms. Each of our retractable seating solutions are tailored to your needs and all Hussey Seatway retractable and telescopic seating is flexible, durable, comfortable and safe.

Why choose a Seatway TP welded system rather than a bolted system?

If it is a premium, solid, quieter system you require the SeatwayTP is the only option.  However, there are benefits to both of our platform structures.  Our sales team will be able to talk through the requirements with you.

Do all seats work on all platforms?

All of our chairs and benches work on both the Seatway TP and Maxam platforms with the exception of the Arts Chair and the Quattro Chair which we would only place on the Seatway TP.

How long will the seating last for?

All seating systems come with a 10-year guarantee, this guarantee is only valid when annual servicing is completed by a member of the Hussey Seatway service team.  When installations are outside the UK, the guarantee is valid when the service is completed by the dealer’s engineer.  However, with careful servicing and updating where necessary of the upholstery and carpeting many systems last a lot longer.

Do I need a certain floor structure?

We can work with most flooring however extra consideration needs to factored in if there are weaknesses or items like underfloor heating.  Flooring at times will need to be reinforced to hold the weight of the seating system and its load. Hard floors and sports floors generally do not cause us too many problems, however we do not recommend carpeted floors.  A full floor loading analysis will be conducted at your initial meeting highlighting any issues at an early stage.

How many seats can I add to my venue and how do you work it out?

As part of our initial consultation we take the measurements of the space and provide you with either a seat count or a detailed CAD drawing based on a on the measurements taken from our site visit.

Is there an after-sales maintenance package?

The platforms are guaranteed for 10 years, your Hussey Seatway system must be serviced by qualified Hussey Seatway engineers.  We offer a comprehensive after sales package that includes annual servicing, replacement parts, emergency call outs, upgrades and refurbishments as well as ongoing staff training.

When and how do you access the building for installation or service?

For installation we will discuss this with the contractor/architect to ensure that we enter at the most convenient times for you.  For educational venues, we appreciate that the easiest times for services are during the holidays so where possible we try to fit into your schedule.

Our service team are flexible to work evenings and weekends if necessary to service your system between performances.

Where are you based?

We are based in Warminster in the UK

Do you work internationally?

Yes, there are no limits to the locations we can work in.  We are partners with Hussey Seating in the USA and Hussey Asia-Pacific.  We have an extensive network of dealers globally who can meet with you face to face to deal with your inquiry.

Why choose Hussey Seatway?

We have 20+ years of exceptional service, knowledge and relationships.  We ensure that all departments are kept up to date with changes in the industry.  We attend relevant events forming and strengthening new relationships.  We have a wealth of international experience.

Are the seats safe, can the system be closed by accident? By the public?

Our chairs are folded via an easy to use gas strut.  However, this is only to be used by trained personnel.  It is not possible for members of the public to close the system, either on purpose or accidently.  The seats need to fold down onto the platform so that they can be stored within the platform when closed.

Our mechanisms are all covered with a security / safety cover to ensure no damage to fingers or clothing when the seats are opening and closing.

Do you sell portable seating to match?

We have a selection of portable seating options.  Our Clarin Chair, Stax Chair and HDS chair can be fully upholstered to match or complement your retractable or fixed seating system.  Speak to the sales team for more information.

What regulatory standards do your retractable structures meet?

We ensure that we meet:

BS EN 1990:2002+A1:2005 - Eurocode 0: Basis of structural design

BS EN 1991-1-1:2002 - Eurocode 1: Actions on structures: General actions - Densities, self-weight, imposed loads for buildings

BS EN 1991-1-2:2002 - Eurocode 1: Actions on structures: General actions - Actions on structures exposed to fire 

BS EN 1993-1-1:2005+A1:2014 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: General rules and rules for buildings

BS EN 1993-1-2:2005 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: General rules. Structural fire design

BS EN 1993-1-3:2006 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: General rules. Supplementary rules for cold-formed members and sheeting

BS EN 1993-1-8:2005 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: Design of joints

BS EN 1993-1-9:2005 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: Fatigue

BS EN 1993-1-10:2005 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: Material toughness and through-thickness properties 

BS EN 1993-1-11:2006 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: Design of structures with tension components 

BS EN 1993-1-12:2007 - Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures: General - High strength steels 

BS EN 1995-1-1:2004+A2:2014 - Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures: General - Common rules and rules for buildings

BS EN 1995-1-2:2004 Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures: General - Structural fire design 

BS EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011 - Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures. Requirements for conformity assessment of structural components

BS EN 1090-2:2008+A1:2011 - Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures. Technical requirements for steel structures

2006/95/EC: The Low Voltage Directive

2004/108/EC: The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive

98/37/EC: The Machinery Directive

BS EN ISO 12100:2010 - Safety of machinery. General principles for design. Risk assessment and risk reduction.

BS 7671/A3: Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition

BS EN 60204-1:2006+A1:2009 - Safety of machinery. Electrical equipment of machines. General requirements.

BS EN ISO 14122-3:2001+A1:2010 - Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Stairways, stepladders and guard-rails.

British association of Spectator Equipment Supplies (BASES): Recommendations for the Specifications and Use of Telescopic and Other Spectator Seating (Blue Guide).

BS EN 13200-1:2012 - Spectator facilities. General characteristics for spectator viewing area.

PD CEN/TR 13200-2:2005 - Spectator facilities. Layout criteria of service area. Characteristics and national situations.

BS EN 13200-3:2005 - Spectator facilities. Separating elements. Requirements.

BS EN 13200-4:2006 - Spectator facilities. Seats. Product characteristics.

BS EN 13200-5:2006 - Spectator facilities. Telescopic stands.

BS EN 13200-6:2012 - Spectator facilities. Demountable (temporary) stands.

BS EN 13200-7:2014 - Spectator facilities. Entry and exit elements and routes.

BS EN 12727:2000 - Furniture. Ranked seating. Test methods and requirements for strength and durability.

BS EN 12520:2015 - Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic seating. (Was BS 4875-1:2007)

BS EN 1022:2005 - Domestic furniture. Seating. Determination of stability. (Was BS 4875-2:1985 & BS 4875-4:1985)

BS EN 1728:2012 - Furniture. Seating. Test methods for the determination of strength and durability. Was BS 4875-3:1985)

BS EN 12521:2015 - Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic tables. (Was BS 4875-5:2009)

BS 4875-7:2006 - Strength and stability of furniture. Domestic and contract storage furniture. Performance requirements.

BS 5852:2006 - Methods of test for assessment of the ignitability of upholstered seating by smouldering and flaming ignition sources.

BS 5852-1:1979 - Fire tests for furniture. Methods of test for the ignitability by smokers' materials of upholstered composites for seating.

BS 5852-2:1982 - Fire tests for furniture. Methods of test for the ignitability of upholstered composites for seating by flaming sources.

BS EN 1021-1:2014 - Furniture. Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture. Ignition source smouldering cigarette.

BS EN 1021-2:2014 - Furniture. Assessment of the ignitability of upholstered furniture. Ignition source match flame equivalent.

BS 5395-1:2010 - Stairs. Code of Practice for the design of stairs with straight flights and winders.

Our products are certified with a CE mark.  This is our declaration that our products comply with essential requirements of the relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.