A critical element in the design and layout of fixed seating for any public venue is the inclusion of ADA seating that complies with federal regulations. Irwin Seating Company’s seating layout engineers are well versed in these requirements and are diligent in ensuring our seating layouts include the proper quantities of ADA locations for each project.

Recently there have been amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act updating the quantities and locations of required accessible seats for venue patrons. These changes went into effect in 2010 and become mandatory on March 15, 2012, making our understanding of the changes critical to our sales and order management processes.

The most crucial change in the regulations applies to the number of ADA compliant spaces required in public assembly venues. The updated quantities required are as follows:

Previous regulations required that each wheelchair space must have an adjacent fixed companion seat. Under the new ADA rules, the companion seat no longer needs to be fixed, but can now also be a removable or stack chair.

There have also been changes to the requirements for accessible aisle seating. The quantity of aisle seats required to be armless or have removable armrests has changed from 1% of the total number of chairs to 5% of the aisle end chairs. The ADA aisle seats must now be located closest to accessible routes throughout the venue.

Longo auditorium seating consultants providing FREE seating evaluations to public schools, universities/colleges, performing arts centers and municipal seating venues. If you would like an auditorium seating evaluation, please call (800) 635-6646  or email info@longoinc.com.

Longo Seating Projects in New Jersey:

Lecture Hall Seating Projects throughout Rutgers University Campuses

New Performing Arts Seating at Alexander Kasser Theatre (Montclair State University) in Montclair, NJ

New Performing Arts Seating at Dolan Performance Hall (College of Saint Elizabeth) in Morristown, NJ

New Performing Arts Seating at Dorothy Young PAC (Drew University) in Madison, NJ

New Performing Arts Seating at Elizabeth B. Alton Auditorium (Stockton College)  in Galloway, NJ

New Seating at Macrae Theatre at The Pingry School in Martinsville, NJ

Planetarium Seating at Madeline D. and Joseph J. Longo Planetarium (County College of Morris) in Randolph, NJ

Seating Restoration at Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ

Seating Restoration at Indian Hills High School Auditorium in Oakland, NJ

If your school’s auditorium seating looks like the chairs above there is a chance that they may be a candidate for restoration.  Longo’s seating restoration services have been serving public schools for over 40 years by bringing yesterday’s seats back to a state of brilliance!

Why Restore Your Auditorium Seating?

• Current codes would force a change to the seating layout – resulting in a loss of capacity.
• The aesthetics of the existing chair cannot be matched using current production models.  There is “Historic” value to the seating.
• Restoration of the seating can be very economical.

What Is The Restoration Process?

• Removal
• Shipment to the factory
• Disassembly
• Stripping
• Refinishing
• Assembly
• Shipment to the job site
• Installation

Most firms will do not completely “restore” the chair like new.  Meaning, they perform painting on the job site, reupholster over existing foam, use inferior foam components, do not provide new internal seat springs, etc.

Longo does a complete chair restoration.  We strip chairs down to bare metal and wood. We refinish using the latest in finishing technology. We reupholster using new foam and fabric.  That is why we are the very best at auditorium seating restoration!

Please direct all inquiries with regards to school auditorium seating restoration project to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).  To request a auditorium seating evaluation, email Anthony Stellatos (anthonys@longoinc.com).  Longo has been restoring  school auditoriums for over 40 years.

Related Website Links & Downloads:

Irwin Seating Auditorium Seating Restoration Brochure

Count Basie Theatre Renovation – Seating Restoration Project in Red Bank, NJ

Project:  Auditorium Renovation at Indian Hills High School

Location:  Oakland, NJ

Design Firm:  DiCara Rubino Architects ; Firm’s website link to Indian Hills High School Project

American School & University’s Interiors Showcase Link for Indian Hills High School

Scope:  Auditorium Seating Restoration

Excerpt below is from the SchoolDesigns.com website:

To stay within budget, designers chose to work with the existing furniture and oversaw the refurbishment of each of the 726 auditorium chairs, rather than purchase new seating. The former primary-color rainbow configuration was replaced with elegant navy tone-on-tone checkerboard upholstery, a matte powder-coat finish on the chair structure, and classic wood arms.

Please direct all inquiries with regards to school auditorium seating restoration project to the marketing department at Longo (info@longoinc.com).  To request a auditorium seating evaluation, email Anthony Stellatos (anthonys@longoinc.com).  Longo has been restoring  school auditoriums for over 40 years.

Related Website Links & Downloads:

Irwin Seating Auditorium Seating Restoration Brochure

Count Basie Theatre Renovation – Seating Restoration Project in Red Bank, NJ

Longo’s auditorium seating experts have consulted on hundreds of chair renovation projects.  Below is an excerpt of the services provided by Longo when contracted to provide auditorium seating restoration services:

Chair Restoration Process:

• Chairs Are Removed from the Site and Carefully Shipped to a 500,000 Square Foot Facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
• Metal Components Are Stripped Clean, Prepared, and Powder Coated for A New, Durable Finish.
• Worn, Damaged or Broken Parts Are Repaired or Replaced.
• New Poly Foam is Added Prior to Upholstery.
• Cushions and Backs are Custom Fitted with Tailored Covers.
• Stained Wood Parts Are Stripped, Sanded, and Refinished With a Clear, Hard Lacquer.
• Seat Lifting Mechanisms are Repaired or Replaced.
• Aisle Lighting Can Be Repaired or Added, as Required.
• New Assembly Hardware is used on Chair Components.
• Chairs Are Carefully Returned to Your Auditorium and Installed to Strict Accordance with Your Schedule.

Longo’s auditorium seating restoration services are available for public schools, private schools, universities, performing arts theatres and concert venues located in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. If you would like an auditorium seating evaluation, please call (800) 635-6646 or email info@longoinc.com.

Related Website Links & Downloads:

Auditorium Seating Restoration (Metal), Irwin Seating Brochure

Auditorium Seating Restoration (Wood), Irwin Seating Brochure

The following are recommendations developed through past experiences in coordinating an Adopt-a-Chair program.

• A sample of an existing theatre/auditorium chair should be removed and returned to Irwin Seating for sampling. Irwin Seating will restore that chair incorporating the customers choice of fabric, paint color, decoration, etc. A mounting board for the display of that chair will also be provided. This is a very effective demonstration and sales tool that will show just how beautiful a restored chair can be and become the Number One marketing element for the Adopt-a-Chair program.
• The sample will be provided on a no-charge basis.
• Sample chair should be prominently displayed in lobby of the theatre or school with an appropriate sign indicating the Adopt-a-Chair program placard. The placard should contain the following information:
• Usually $250 – $300 per seat donation.
• Announcement that a donor plaque will be attached to each chair as a permanent testimony to the contributor. Plaque will be bronze, professionally engraved and will be shown on the sample.
• Placard should also contain information regarding the approximate number of chairs needed to be restored and a realistic goal for completion of the campaign.
• Name of the organization running the campaign, address, and phone number where contributions should be sent.
• The marketing of this program should include several other placements of the sample for maximum exposure.
• Front window of a local business establishment willing to advertise and display the product. Community functions such as Fourth of July parade, where the chair and placard might be prominently displayed.
• Alumni reunions and class reunions where the chair may be set up on a table for display.
• PTA/PTO meetings with the sample display, placard, brochure and sign up sheets
• Lions Club, Rotary Club, K of C and Masonic Lodge Meetings, functions etc.
• In order to explain the program and promote its sales, a brochure should be prepared giving details, photos, testimonials, and subscription card.
• Write up an article and advertise in a local newspaper. Very often for a small advertisement, the local paper will provide a feature article about the program and throw in their support.
• Most campaigns that are successful have sponsoring organizations that spearhead and coordinate all activities. That organization might be the local Historical Society the PTA/PTO Lions or Kiwanis Club, local Arts Council, etc. Sponsoring organizations usually have experience in fund raising campaigns and are able to provide better results than a grass root, start up organization, just raising funds for theatre restoration.
• Cost: Generally speaking, east restored auditorium chair is going to cost in the neighborhood of $250 – $325 per chair. This number will vary depending on the condition of the chairs, type of fabric used, etc. During the sampling period, Longo will provide you with an accurate figure as to cost once we have analyzed the chair and determined what will be needed for a quality restoration. Because the chair is the most visual, and will be the item displaying the donor tag, it is generally considered the most marketable of the restoration process. To cover additional costs involved in the restoration of items such as draperies, curtain, rigging, carpeting and painting, you might consider increasing the donation per chair. For a school program, any contribution over $300 may be prohibitive or may greatly slow down your campaign. For historical theatres with wealthy clientele, $450 – $650 is not out of the question.
• Campaigns have also been successful in utilizing a donor plaque with the names of all donors attached to a wooden plaque displayed in the lobby of the building rather than individual tags per chair. Some have even done both.
• In order for people to track the progress of any campaign, the use of a giant thermometer showing progress towards the goal of 100% is effective. This thermometer, placed outside the building for all to see, could also be reprinted occasionally in a newspaper, again reminding people of the campaign and progress being made towards the goal.
• If a campaign begins to slow down and needs a major boost, you may want to consider restoring part of the auditorium, such as the main floor, balcony, or center section without doing the side sections. People will see the effect the chairs have on the overall appearance of the auditorium and this will give your campaign a boost. Doing a small portion of chairs may slightly affect the price because of increased freight rates, etc.

If you have any questions or seek additional information, contact Longo Associates, Inc. at (201) 825-1500 and/or email at info@longoinc.com

Longo’s seating consultants’ success is built upon educating school business officials, facilities departments & architects. We specialize in all aspect of public seating for auditoriums, lecture rooms, and theaters.

• Chair Evaluations
• Repair & Restoration
• New Seating
• Planning and Layouts
• Installation Services

Below are some recent auditorium seating projects completed by Longo in New Jersey: Town, Project – Product

Allendale, Brookside Elementary School – Citation Chair
Bergenfield, Bergenfield High School
Bridgeton, Bridgeton High School
Camden, Dudley Elementary School – Patriot Chair
Camden, HB Wilson Elementary School – Patriot Chair
Chester, West Morris Central High School – Citation Chair
Cresskill, Cresskill Jr./Sr. High School
East Hanover, Hanover Park High School – Millennium Chair
East Orange, East Orange Campus High School – Patriot Chair
East Orange, East Orange School #5 – Patriot Chair
Glen Ridge, Glen Ridge High School – Citation Chair
Gloucester City, Gloucester City Jr./Sr. High School
Harrison, Harrison High School – Citation Chair
Jersey City, Cornelia Bradford School #16
Lakehurst, Manchester Twp. High School
Lawrenceville, Rider University
Livingston, Livingston High School
Livingston, Rutgers University
Madison, Drew University
Madison, Madison Jr./Sr. High School – Citation Chair
Manalapan, Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School
Marlboro, Marlboro Middle School
Montvale, Pascack Hills High School
New Brunswick, Rutgers University
Newark, Newark Science Museum
Oradell, River Dell High School
Paramus, Paramus Catholic High School – Millennium Chair
Passaic, Passaic High School
Pompton Plains, Pequannock Township High School
Princeton Junction, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School – Citation Chair
Ramsey, Don Bosco Prep School
Randolph, County College of Morris
River Edge, River Dell Middle School – Citation Chair
Saddle River, Saddle River Day School
Somerset, Sampson G. Smith School – Citation Chair
Sparta, Sparta High School – Citation Chair
Succasunna, Eisenhower Middle School
Sussex, High Point Regional High School – Citation Chair
Union, Kean University
Union, Union High School
Vernon, Vernon Twp. High School – Citation Chair
Wayne, Wayne Hills High School – Citation Chair
Wayne, Wayne Valley High School
Wayne, William Paterson University
West Caldwell, James Caldwell High School
West New York, West NY ES #2 – Citation Chair
West New York, West NY ES #3 – Citation Chair
West New York, West NY ES #4 – Citation Chair
West Orange, West Orange High School

If you would like an auditorium seating evaluation, please call (800) 635-6646 or email info@longoinc.com.

Related Website Links and Downloads: