How To Order

Follow these tips on how to order retractable stanchions properly. This will help prevent you from over or under ordering.

TIPS TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME:

  • The minimum distance of an aisle is 36″ between the edge of the bases.  Some stanchions have a 1 inch high base. We’ve even seen thicker bases. If a wheel chair has to maneuver between your stanchions, they will need 36″ – 42″ of clearance. Especially when going around a turn.
  •  Some setting require ADA Compliant Stanchions. These stanchions feature an upper retractable belt and lower retractable belt. Check with your local City or County to see if you are required to use ADA Compliant retractable stanchions in your establishment.
  • When measuring for stanchions, it is recommended to subtract 6 inches from each belt.
    EXAMPLE: If you plan on ordering stanchions that have an 8.5 foot belt, measure the distance as if you were purchasing retractable stanchions with an 8′ belt. You should always leave at least 6″ of belt in the stanchion and not fully extend them. This saves on wearing the internal parts and allows for slack should someone pull on the belt while in line.
  • The retractable stanchions you order should feature a belt braking system which slows the belt down should it get released preventing the whipping effect. Kids tend to be hands-on while in line.

STEP 1: Make a drawing of the area you plan to set up with retractable stanchions. If you expect high volumes of people, you will want to set up a zig-zag pattern like the airports use.  Lower volume areas can set up divider lanes to channelize their pedestrian traffic.

Use small circles for stanchion posts, use line for belts. Don’t forget to leave breaks in long runs or near fire exits. Try not to block doorways or fire extinguishers.

STEP 2: Doing the math. Now you have to determine which belt length serves you the best. Obviously, the longer the belt, the more flexibility you have and the less stanchion you need to buy.

Typical belt lengths are:

  • 6.5′
  • 8.5′
  • 10′
  • 11′
  • 13′

Longer belt lengths are available but we really don’t recommend going longer than 13′ because the belts tend to lay over to the side a bit and not look tight and professional. We recommend the 11′ retractable belt stanchions for larger areas and 8.5 for smaller areas.

Also remember, if going in one straight line, one post is a receiver so, if you are trying to cover a distance of approximately 20′, you should use THREE stanchions, two 11′ will cover the distance and leave you some slack.

In some instances, you can eliminate the need for extra stanchions by either attaching an inexpensive receiver to the wall or by using one stanchion as a receiver for up to three other stanchions. (Each stanchion has three receivers.

STEP 3: Now that you have the quantity, you need to settle on a stanchion color and belt color. The standard is black stanchion with black belt. Black seems to go with just about every event and location.

The are dozens of color options for stanchion posts available including:

  • polished chrome
  • polished brass
  • satin chrome
  • satin aluminum
  • brushed stainless steel
  • bronze
  • multiple powder coated colors
  • yellow or red for Safety Applications
  • clear/see through
  • wood grain appearance
  • or wrapped with any vinyl image

Satin and brushed appearances hide fingerprints.

There are also a variety of belt colors too. You can have you company logo or any wording screen printed on the belts as well.

STEP 4: We prefer you email us all the details. We will need your:

  • Quantity
  • Indoor or Outdoor Use?
  • Stanchion Color
  • Belt Color and Length
  • Contact Person / Number / Email
  • Billing Address
  • Shipping Destination Address including if it is a business or residence. Any special instructions? If it a large order, do you have a forklift or loading dock or will you need lift gate service added to your delivery?

NOTE: Custom Orders are non-returnable, non-refundable.