The SIS team provided a total of 103 FD200 CS Fold Down Seats on a fully motorised retractable structure for the high school’s Main Hall; one particular issue was the low ceiling and a vertical support beam at the back of the hall. Our solution was to design a fixed rear platform which could accommodate this vertical beam, and a retractable unit in front with a row of seats bolted to the front to ensure the capacity required was achieved.

There were further design obstacles to overcome in the activity studio, where we installed continuous bench seating with a total of 289 places also on a fully motorised retractable structure. One particular requirement of the build was to incorporate a turning circle to enable wheelchair access without compromising on the number of seats. To accommodate this, we designed a cut out to the front three tiers and introduced a fixed rail. This allowed the turning circle to be added without going below the minimum seating capacity. This also ensured the unit closed into a 1300mm space allowing full use of the studio when not in use. Finally, as the unit was designed wall to wall as a cost saving to avoid rails, a door was fitted in the rear wall. This allowed access through a locked room so that the unit can be easily reached underneath for cleaning and maintenance.

There were also significant external issues affecting the project’s construction, including sloping topography and poor ground conditions, therefore our installation had to be planned in advance in accordance with the tight deadlines of the project, however due to the unexpected site conditions the install had to be delayed. SIS worked closely with the project team to accommodate these delays to reschedule to the clients requirements and completed the installation on time with no impact to budget.

The installation was initially completed on a temporary power supply, which was then commissioned and handed over with the permanent supply within the required timeframe.

All product is fully manufactured in the UK and all steel is CE certified and with a life span of the structure of over 25 years our clients can be confident the system will provide benefits for many years. Alongside this we offer full service, spares and repairs packages to ensure the system operates correctly year after year.

The 10,500 metre square Saddleworth High School opened to pupils in Spring 2022 and boasts a Considerate Constructors Scheme Performance Beyond Compliance award to acknowledge the project’s commitment to sustainable construction.

At SIS Global Seating, we’re known for offering the best and most attentive service in the industry. As well as the design and supply of seating, the team are on hand to provide many additional services, including layout design, standards compliance, site surveying and project management.

Our experts have been at the forefront of innovative design for over 25 years and we’re proud to produce and install world-class custom seating solutions for educational institutions across the UK and further afield. We manufacture each system to rigorous international standards to meet the most demanding requirements, so contact our team today to discuss how we could help you with your next project.