The Benefits of Fixed Seating in Lecture Theatres

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• The Benefits of Fixed Seating in
• Lecture Theatres

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• When it comes to specifying seating for an
  auditorium style university lecture theatre there
  are generally two key formats fixed seating or
  retractable seating.
•  
• What is Fixed Seating?
• Traditional auditorium style fixed seating can be
  fitted to to a flat, raked or tiered floor and is
  screwed to the floor through holes in the feet.
• This is the standard format of auditorium
  seating in a range of venues designed for the
  specific purpose of educating or entertaining an
  audience.

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• Whilst there are other variations of fixed
  seating now available for lecture theatres,
  traditional auditorium style fixed seating
  remains the most popular and cost effective
  choice which also optimises the available space.

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What is Retractable Seating?

• Retractable seating is fitted on a tiered
  structure where the seats fold down flat when not
  in use and each tier then retracts like a drawer
  closing. Retraction is either powered by an
  electric motor or operated by hand.
• Once retracted, the whole unit is effectively
  folded away, opening up the space which can then
  be used for other purposes.
• Retractable seating is now used in a wide range
  of auditoria from university lecture theatres to
  arts centres and is generally found in more
  modern buildings.

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Fixed Seating vs Retractable Seating

• Whilst retractable seating sounds like a great
  idea in theory, unless there is a requirement to
  use the room for dual purposes, there is no
  benefit in having a retractable system.
• For those establishments which do need a
  multi-purpose space, retractable seating
  obviously offers an ideal solution but it can
  also present many problems and complexities which
  simply dont exist with fixed seating.
• Fixed seating is also generally cheaper as it
  does not require mechanical parts as needed for a
  retractable system.

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• Due to the nature of retractable seating, it does
  not offer any flexibility in its layout seats
  have to be positioned in straight rows facing the
  front of the room.
• With fixed seating you have a range of layout
  options whereby seats can be positioned either in
  straight or angled rows, on a curve or in the
  round.
• These options are not available with retractable
  seating.Once it has been installed, fixed seating
  requires little maintenance to ensure it remains
  fit for purpose and looking its best.

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• In contrast, retractable seating will require
  regular maintenance and at least an annual safety
  inspection. You also need to ensure the person
  operating it is properly trained and fully
  understands how it works. Consider also potential
  operational issues if the unit breaks down
  whilst being operated then you will need to find
  an alternative venue for your lecture or event if
  you have to wait for an engineer to attend.

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• Given the cost and maintenance implications of
  retractable seating, it should only be specified
  for projects where a multi-purpose space is a key
  requirement. Where this type of flexibility is
  not needed, fixed seating is always the preferred
  choice.

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