Glossary of School Athletic Facility Terms
A reference for facility directors, athletic directors, GCs, architects, and anyone specifying or buying school athletic equipment.
ADA Compliance
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including required wheelchair seating positions, companion seats, accessible aisle widths, hardware operable with one hand, and sightlines for athletic facility installations. See our ADA bleacher inspection services.
ASTM F2151
ASTM International standard practice for telescopic gymnasium seating inspection and maintenance. Referenced by most state and municipal codes for annual bleacher inspections.
Athletic Floor Cover
Removable protective covering for hardwood gym floors during non-athletic events (concerts, assemblies, graduations). CSI 11 66 33.
Backboard
Glass or steel rectangular panel that holds the basketball rim. Tempered glass is competition-standard; steel is durable budget option.
Bleacher Capacity Tier
Required ADA wheelchair position count is based on bleacher seating capacity. Tier thresholds typically: 1–25 seats (1 position), 26–50 (2), 51–300 (4), and so on.
CHSAA
Colorado High School Activities Association — the state body governing high school athletics in Colorado. Sets shot clock and other equipment standards. See our CHSAA shot clock guide.
CIF
California Interscholastic Federation — California’s high school athletics governing body. Sets equipment compliance standards.
CSI MasterFormat
The construction industry’s standard classification system organized into 50 divisions. Division 10 = Specialties (lockers). Division 11 = Equipment (gym). Division 12 = Furnishings (bleachers).
DSA
Division of the State Architect — California state agency overseeing public-school construction. DSA-compliant installation is required for state-funded California school projects.
Divider Curtain
Motorized or manual curtain that subdivides a gymnasium into multiple practice areas. Vinyl bottom prevents balls passing through; mesh top allows visibility. See our divider curtain installation services.
Fold-Up Curtain
Divider curtain style that folds up vertically when retracted. Alternative to roll-up style.
HDPE Locker
High-Density Polyethylene locker — 100% waterproof, rust-proof construction. Premium choice for pool decks and humid environments.
Hoist (basketball)
Motorized or manual lifting mechanism that raises and lowers ceiling-suspended basketball backstops.
ICC 300
International Code Council standard for grandstands and bleachers. References annual inspection requirements.
Locker Tier
Vertical division of a locker column. Single tier = one full-height locker. Double tier = two half-height lockers stacked.
Maple Athletic Floor
Hardwood athletic flooring made from northern hard maple. Competition-standard for basketball, volleyball. MFMA-certified suppliers include Connor Sports and Robbins. See our gym floor installation services.
MFMA
Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association — sets quality and grading standards for maple athletic flooring.
Motorized Backstop
Basketball backstop equipped with a motor for remote-controlled raising and lowering. Standard for HS and college facilities.
NFHS
National Federation of State High School Associations — sets equipment standards adopted by state athletic associations.
Number Plate
Identification plate (engraved, screen-printed, or applied vinyl) on each locker indicating locker number.
Performance Bond
A bond guaranteeing a contractor will complete a project per contract. Required on most public-school projects above district-set thresholds.
Prevailing Wage
State-mandated minimum wage rates for public-construction projects. Most Colorado and California public-school projects require prevailing wage compliance.
Retractable Bleacher
Synonym for telescoping bleacher. Extends from a stored position for use, retracts for floor space.
Roll-Up Curtain
Divider curtain style that rolls up onto a top mandrel when retracted. Common for motorized installations.
Shot Clock
Game clock counting down possession time. CHSAA-adopted for Colorado HS basketball starting 2026-27 season. NFHS-compliant configurations required.
Subfloor System
Layered structural system beneath an athletic floor. Sleeper systems use wood members; panel systems use engineered subfloor panels; polyurethane systems use elastic pad layers.
Telescoping Bleacher
Bleacher system that extends from a folded storage position to extended seating position. CSI 12 63 16. Modern systems are motorized. See our bleacher installation services and bleacher cost guide.
UEI
Unique Entity Identifier — federal contractor ID from SAM.gov, replacing the older DUNS number.
Ventilated Locker
Locker with open-sided or perforated-door design for airflow. Standard for athletic locker rooms to reduce odor.
Volleyball Floor Sleeve
Recessed metal sleeve in a gym floor that accepts volleyball net standards. Allows fast multi-sport conversion.
Wall Pad
Custom-fit foam and vinyl padding mounted on gym walls for athlete safety. Class A fire-rated. See our wall padding installation services.
Wheelchair Position
ADA-required designated seating space accommodating a wheelchair. Required count is based on bleacher capacity tier.
Z-Locker
Locker configuration where two lockers interlock in a Z-shape, maximizing hanging length in a compact footprint.
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