How do you stack chairs for storage?

Stacking chairs efficiently for storage is an important skill for anyone who needs to store large quantities of chairs. Whether it’s for a school, church, conference center, or even at home, proper chair stacking helps save space and prevents damage to the chairs over time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about stacking chairs for storage.

Why Proper Chair Stacking Matters

Stacking chairs incorrectly can lead to a number of problems:

• Unstable stacks can fall over, damaging chairs and creating a safety hazard.
• Stacking chairs haphazardly takes up more space than necessary.
• Improper chair stacking can damage or weaken chair joints over time.
• Chairs stacked wrong can get stuck together and be difficult to unstack later.

Taking the time to stack chairs correctly will avoid these issues and allow you to store the maximum number of chairs in the smallest footprint safely. It also reduces the risk of injury to staff when unstacking chairs for events.

Preparing Chairs for Stacking

Before stacking chairs, it’s important to inspect each chair and prepare them properly:

• Tighten any loose joints or hardware.
• Check for and repair any damaged parts like torn fabric or broken plastic pieces.
• Remove any debris, dirt, or food from chairs.
• Consider numbering chairs with tape or tags for easier organization.

It’s also helpful to organize chairs into groups by type before stacking. This allows you to stack similar chairs together for stability.

Stacking Chair Types

The exact stacking method can vary slightly depending on the type of chairs you need to store:

Folding Chairs

Folding chairs are lightweight and designed specifically for compact stacking. When stacking folding chairs:

• Make sure chairs are completely folded up with latches secured.
• Stack chairs on top of each other in alternating directions to provide stability.
• Keep stacks spaced evenly and place on hard, flat surfaces.
• Limit stack height to around 10-12 chairs maximum.

Padded Stacking Chairs

Padded stacking chairs are heavier but can still be stacked efficiently:

• Stack alternating front-to-back and back-to-front.
• Keep stacks under 8 chairs high due to the extra weight.
• Stack under tables or on dollies for easier moving.
• Stack chairs with padding touching to avoid compressing or misshaping the padding.

Non-Stacking Chairs

Chairs not designed for stacking require more creativity when organizing:

• Use chair dollies or racks to hold chairs without stacking.
• Stack carefully on tables, spacing chairs apart to prevent scratching.
• Invest in carts, racks, or wall storage systems made for the chair type.
• Group 4 chairs together back-to-back and strap them together before stacking.

Stacking Chair Dollies

Chair dollies provide an easy way to move and store stacked chairs without lifting. They are trolleys with wheels designed to hold chairs in an upright stacked position. To use:

1. Load dolly with chairs stacked properly.
2. Strap stack to dolly or place dolly handle over stack.
3. Push dolly to move chairs.
4. Use dollies to hold stacks that would otherwise be too tall.

Dollies enable easy transportation of stacks around a venue and protect the bottom chairs from scratches during storage. They come in a range of sizes, with heavy duty dollies able to hold 20+ chairs per stack.

Chair Carts and Racks

Carts and racks offer an alternative to stacking chairs. These storage systems hold chairs individually in a vertical position without stacking. Benefits include:

• Prevent scratches and damage from stacking.
• Provide easy access to chairs.
• Let you store different chair types together.
• Save staff time since chairs don’t need unstacking.

Carts and racks take up more floor space than stacked chairs but often work better for venues with multiple chair types or non-stacking upholstered chairs. They also provide handy transport around a venue.

Storing Stacked Chairs

Once chairs are stacked properly, focus on safe storage methods:

• Indoor Storage: Use dollies or furniture racks to hold stacks. Place stacks evenly spaced on hard, flat floors. Have aisles wide enough for easy access.
• Outdoor Storage: Store stacks under protected overhangs or secured with waterproof covers. Place on concrete or pavement to avoid sinking. Use tie-downs if needed in windy areas.
• Leaning Stacks: Very stable stacks can be safely leaned against walls. Place chair pads against wall and lean so weight is distributed evenly.

Avoid storage areas with uneven floors, slopes, high moisture, or excessive heat when possible. Storing chairs directly on grass or dirt can allow stacks to sink or tip over more easily.

Chair Storage Safety Tips

Keep these safety guidelines in mind when stacking chairs:

• Wear protective gloves when handling chairs.
• Use proper lifting techniques and get help moving heavy stacks.
• Place stacks out of main aisles or paths to avoid tripping hazards.
• Load dollies evenly and strap stacks down before moving.
• Keep stacks away from moisture sources and overhead pipes.
• Check stacks for stability before leaving unattended.

Ensure storage areas have good ventilation, adequate lighting, and secure access to prevent hazards. Also train staff on proper unstacking techniques to avoid injury.

Inspecting Stored Chairs

Regularly inspecting stored stacks helps avoid issues like:

• Loose joints from weight pressure.
• Fabric tearing on chair edges.
• Padding getting compressed or misshapen.
• Metal parts rusting from moisture.

Routinely check for signs of damage in storage. Tighten hardware on wobbly chairs immediately to prevent further issues. Be sure to re-stack piles that appear unstable or have shifted. Identifying problems early makes repairs easier and keeps storage areas safe.

Unstacking Chairs

Carefully unstacking chairs is just as important as stacking them. Use these tips for safe unstacking:

• Unstack chairs starting from the top of a stack.
• Lift chairs straight up when unstacking to avoid bending or damaging legs.
• Keep fingers and hands clear when separating stacked chairs.
• Work methodically from one side of a stack to the other.
• Have someone stabilize dollies when unloading stacks.

Go slow, taking one chair at a time. Rushing can lead to pinched fingers or collapsing piles. It helps to have two people unstacking, with one person lifting chairs while the other steadies the stack. Always put chairs down gently to prevent cracks or scratches. Stack unneeded chairs properly right away.

Conclusion

Stacking chairs correctly for storage takes patience but is worth the effort. Proper stacking saves venue space, reduces safety risks, and keeps chairs in good condition for longer. Investing in quality dollies and racks also makes storing and unstacking chairs much easier. With the right techniques and equipment, even venues with thousands of chairs can keep them neatly organized.