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Homologation under the FIBA Approved Equipment program certifies compliance with international standards for strength, safety, and comfort in sports venues, awarding Level 1 certification to both models, the highest benchmark for elite international competitions.
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With this recognition, Figueras reinforces its positioning as a strategic partner for stadium and arena fit-outs, ensuring its seating solutions meet the stringent regulatory demands of major global sports leagues.
Figueras Seating has earned official certification from FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) for its Chronos and Top models. Integrated into the FIBA Approved Equipment program, this accreditation endorses the technical performance of these solutions in arenas, stadiums, and multi-purpose venues designed to host top-tier international competitions.
Joining FIBA’s register of approved equipment streamlines the specification process for architects, consultants, and facility managers involved in large-scale sports developments. The governing body evaluates critical parameters such as resistance to heavy use, operational safety, sightlines, and material fire performance, confirming that the facility meets global regulatory requirements.
Rigorous Technical Testing for Strength, Fire Resistance, and Sightlines
To grant this accreditation, FIBA subjects seating systems to a strict protocol of technical testing aligned with European and international standards for sports equipment:
- Structural integrity and severe use: Static load, fatigue, and repeated impact testing on the seat, backrest, and armrests (EN 1728 and EN 12727 Level 4), ensuring the structure withstands high-density crowd use without deformation or failure.
- Weathering and corrosion resistance: Verification of plastic component stability against solar radiation (EN ISO 4892-2) and salt spray corrosion testing for metallic parts and fixings (EN ISO 9227).
- Operational safety and egress: Ensuring components feature no sharp edges, durability testing of the tip-up mechanism to maintain clear row passage, and strict compliance with spectator facility layout criteria (EN 13200-1 and EN 13200-4). Additionally, Figueras solutions comply with regional fire reaction standards (UNE-EN 1021, BS 5852, and CAL TB 117).
“Passing FIBA’s audits requires subjecting our products to extreme quality control and testing that go far beyond standard market benchmarks. This certification validates the robustness of our manufacturing processes and proves that Figueras engineering is fully equipped to deliver technical reliability in the world’s most complex sports facilities.” Israel Nadal, Operations Director at Figueras Seating
Targeted Solutions for Every Venue Zone
The two certified lines address distinct functional requirements within sports architecture:
Chronos, engineered under eco-design principles, Chronos is tailored for high-traffic general admission areas. Manufactured in injected polypropylene copolymer, the seat features a gravity tip-up counterweight mechanism. By eliminating mechanical springs subject to wear and tear, it reduces ongoing maintenance costs over the facility’s lifecycle. The model includes UV protection (ISO 4892-2) and UNE-EN 12727 Level 4 accreditation for severe use.
Top, designed for premium seating sectors and VIP boxes requiring elevated ergonomics and acoustic control. This modular solution uses the Integral Form process, injecting cold-molded polyurethane foam over a tubular steel frame and internal springs. The seat can incorporate the TS System fire barrier between the foam and upholstery to retard combustion during a fire event. It also features an automatic tip-up mechanism tested to 100,000 cycles, delivering quiet operation while keeping egress paths clear.
Securing the FIBA seal solidifies Figueras’ offering of certified seating systems for the sports sector, streamlining the design and specification process for venues built to host elite international tournaments.
About Figueras
Figueras is a specialized manufacturer in the design, engineering, and installation of fixed and retractable seating systems for public spaces. With nearly 100 years of heritage, a presence in over 80 countries, and projects in world-renowned venues, the company combines precision engineering with architectural criteria to enhance the end-user experience and maximize long-term operational performance.
