With a new school year just around the corner, athletic directors, planners and maintenance staff are busy preparing for the upcoming term. With a new influx of students, programming and amenities, now is the perfect time to quickly inspect your athletic equipment.
While in most cases, a professional inspection is always your best bet, they are not always entirely necessary, especially if your facility is diligent about year-round maintenance. If however, you are unsure as to the condition of any piece of equipment, we urge you to schedule an inspection with a certified professional.
Here are few quick checks you and your staff can make in a number of different areas to ensure your athletic equipment such as basketball systems, bleachers and other sport-oriented products are ready to roll for the 2016-2017 season.
Basketball Systems
No two systems are the same, but you should always pay special attention to any moving parts in ceiling-suspended and wall-mounted systems that are frequently moved in different positions. A quick check of all bolts and hardware as well as lubricated moving parts will go a long way in both ensuring safety and extending the life cycle of the product.
Bleachers
Some facilities and schools allow outside use of their sports fields and bleachers during the summer months. This means those large seating structures have been subject to the elements and may have been neglected in the off season. A quick walk around the structure checking for any signs of deteriorating welds or missing hardware is always a good idea. Have a maintenance staff member test any and all railings and guardrails to ensure they are still firmly fastened and keep notes on any deficiencies you might notice. This will aid you in addressing any future problems as they arise.
Gym Divider Curtains
Depending on the configuration, most of these curtains are made up of many moving parts and likely have not been in operation for a number of months. We always recommend operating the curtain and paying close attention to how it performs. You will want to ensure no parts are seized up after an extended period of non-use. Lubricating all moving parts, where and when possible, is also a good idea to ensure optimal performance and the longevity of your product.