"I had no idea putting seating in a church could be so complicated!"

That statement and many similar ones have echoed through my ears for most of my 60 years. Growing up in the church seating business has been rewarding, but it has revealed one obvious characteristic of church building projects. With some exceptions, most people who serve on church building committees have never before built a church.

Many of those involved in the building of a new church do not realize that churches are not defined as "Public Buildings" but are "Limited Occupancy Facilities." The difference is that "Limited Occupancy Facilities" are normally not in use during the majority of the week, but used extensively on a very limited basis.

This information and other topics are what we cover with architects in our free "lunch and learn" sessions. We buy lunch for architects and, over lunch, using a PowerPoint presentation, we cover most of the more difficult and overlooked areas of placing seating on churches. Individual churches usually do not request such sessions, but it would be a good idea to do so!

Public buildings are those used on a daily basis. Many of the code issues are different. Be sure your inspector knows the difference; be subtle, of course. It may be the inspector's first experience with a church, as well.

There are many code differences that affect the entire building, not just the balcony. An example of code difference is that churches are not currently subject to Federal ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) laws. State and local laws may apply. Public buildings are not exempt. It should be noted that most churches do provide 1% of the total seating capacity as ADA (wheel chair) spaces with four seats serving as minimum.

Several codes can have application to churches. Most commonly, the Universal Building Code, the Life Safety Code, and Southern Building Code are those most commonly used.

The common objectives of a balcony are additional seating and a good sight line to the pulpit area from the balcony seats. These two objectives can be met perfectly and still leave a myriad of issues and problems that no one thought to address. Most building committee members simply don't know the questions to ask or the issues that need to be addressed.

The following issues should be carefully examined if the balcony is to be the asset it was designed to be and not a source of ongoing problems that no one anticipated.

1. How deep should a balcony riser be?
The depth of balcony risers should never be less than 36 inches. Pews generally have a "window" or overall dimension front to back of 24 inches. By code (Life Safety Code section 8-2.5.5), there must be a minimum clearance of 12 inches between the pews. That translates into a 36-inch minimum depth riser.

2. How long can a pew be?
With egress (aisles) at both ends of the pew, the maximum length of a pew on a 36-inch-deep riser is 22 feet, 9 inches. That is a 14-person seat (Life Safety Code section 8-2.5.53). With egress at only one end, a pew can be 12 feet, 3 inches, which is a 7-person seat (Life Safety Code section 8-2.5.5.4). With increased riser depth, the length of pews can be increased.

3. How is seating capacity calculated?
Seating capacity on bench type seating is calculated at 18 inches per person plus 4 inches for the thickness of the pew ends (2 inches each). Pew lengths can be extended by 17 inches, which is something just less than one more seat.

4. Does the height of a riser affect the pew?
Absolutely. The Life Safety Code section 8-2.11.1.3 declares through a complicated system of calculations that a pew back must be 24 inches minimum higher than the riser behind it. Measuring from the floor up, the height of pew backs varies from 32 inches to 33.5 inches normally. This means that if a riser is 18 inches high and a pew back is 32 inches high when measured from the floor, the back of the pew must be extended, 10 inches minimum.

5. Should a church using a balcony with risers specify that extended balcony back be used when the criteria mentioned above exists?
Yes. Remember, code compliance rests with the owner (church) and not the furniture manufacturer. Standard height backs are less money than extended back pews. They are also more difficult to install. Not every pew manufacturer is eager to call this to the owner's attention.

6. Are all backs extended basically the same way?
Absolutely not. There are almost as many different ways to extend pew backs as there are companies. Not understanding the different methods for pew back extensions is probably the most repeated mistake and incorrect assumption that building committees make in balcony situations. All church committees should ask extremely detailed questions when extended balcony backs are used. Ask for pictures of completed projects. Ask for detailed shop drawings of how this will be done. Ask for local references. In short, take a really hard look at this issue.

7. Is there a standard for aisle widths?
Yes. The formula for aisle widths (Life Safety Code section 8-2.3.2) is more complicated than the code for pew back heights and risers. In general terms, the main aisle should be 5 feet to 6 feet wide. Side aisles (those by the wall) should be 3 feet minimum in most states. In California, Florida and a few others, the side aisle must be 3 feet, 8 inches minimum. Access or dead end aisles should be 4 feet minimum.

8. Are there issues outside of code issues to consider for using extended backs in balconies?
Yes. Modesty. It is possible to meet code without providing modesty for someone sitting in a balcony pew. As one climbs the steps of a balcony riser, that person is frequently at eye level with the knees of the persons seated. It is courteous and proper to ensure an appropriate degree of modesty by using an extended pew back that blocks inappropriate views.

The best way to seat a balcony is to deal with experienced professionals who know the business and are willing to provide insight into problem solving. There are very few challenges that building committees cannot overcome when surrounding themselves with the best available and most experienced companies in the business.

John Hancock is the sales manager for Imperial Woodworks, www.imperialww.com.