Bowling Alley Design and Construction Guide

Location:
⦁ Can be in basements, ground floors, or upper levels, ensuring structural safety and ease of equipment transport.
⦁ Can be standalone buildings or connected to other entertainment areas, depending on the intended use.

Equipment Transport Considerations:
⦁ Bowling equipment (e.g., pinsetters) is bulky and heavy. Ensure transport paths are clear, without narrow corridors or sharp turns.
⦁ Equipment installation typically occurs in the late stages of construction. Ensure pathways remain unobstructed.

When designing a bowling alley, pathways for equipment transport and installation are critical:

Length:
⦁ A standard bowling alley space is approximately 30 meters long, with the bowling equipment occupying 26 meters (including the bowling area, lanes, pinsetters, and maintenance aisles behind the machines). Add an additional 4 meters for a leisure area.
⦁ If your space is insufficient, we can customize the dimensions to suit your venue.

The curtain wall should be installed in front of the pinsetter, approximately 3.6 meters from the machine’s rear end. The distance from the back of the curtain wall to the pinsetter should be about 0.5 meters. This design ensures the pins and curtain wall are positioned correctly, avoiding visual obstruction for bowlers.

From the bowler’s perspective at the foul line, the curtain wall should appear directly above the pins. However, this may block the view of the pins. To optimize visibility for spectators and bowlers, consider seat placement carefully.

⦁ Curtain wall height should align with the bowler’s line of sight while standing, ensuring visual continuity.
⦁ Enhance the alley’s ambiance by adding decorative elements, such as LED screens, custom graphics, or lighting effects.
⦁ Properly planned curtain walls can isolate rear mechanical noise and visual distractions, creating a focused and enjoyable environment.

The pinsetter room is the core functional area of the bowling alley, requiring careful planning for efficient operation and easy maintenance.

Room Dimensions:
⦁  The pinsetter room is approximately 4.8-5.5 meters long, divided into three main sections:
① Technician Workspace: 0.5 meters in front of the pinsetter for maintenance and operation.
② Pinsetter Area: 3.1 meters long for the pinsetter and related components.
③ Maintenance Aisle: 0.8-1.2 meters behind the pinsetter for technician access.

Convenience Planning:
⦁ Ensure easy access to the pinsetter room. Avoid placing the entrance in inaccessible areas, as this may require technicians to go outside, change shoes, or wear rain gear.
⦁ If possible, design a direct path from the main bowling area to the pinsetter room for convenience.

Seating Position:
⦁  Ideal seating positions allow spectators to see the entire lane from the front, tracking the ball’s movement and pin positions clearly.
⦁ Spectators sitting in the middle of the seating area may have obstructed views of the ball’s path or pins.

Viewing Angle Planning:
⦁ Ensure the seating area design does not block the bowler’s or spectator’s line of sight.
⦁ Spectator seating height should align with the bowling area for the best viewing experience.

Comfort and Layout:
⦁ Focus on seat comfort and layout, ensuring ample space and optimal viewing angles.
⦁ Add small tables, drink holders, or other amenities to enhance spectator comfort.

Lane Oil Machines
⦁  Create a closet or storage space for lane oil machines. These machines weigh 113-159kg, have wheels, and measure approximately 1.14m long, 1.45m wide, and 0.6m tall.
⦁ Store them near the entrance for easy access without stairs.

Maintenance Supplies
⦁ Designate a space for bowling lane maintenance supplies, such as lane cleaning brushes, oil, cleaning fluids, and multipurpose cleaners.
⦁ If storage for the lane oil machine is already sufficient, consider storing these supplies there to save space.

Bowling Balls and Shoes
⦁ Provide a space for storing custom bowling balls and shoes.
⦁ Use shelves 0.6m deep to keep shoes and balls organized.

Temporary Storage
⦁ Install ball racks in front of the ball return for temporary storage of balls in use. This is not a long-term storage solution.

If you need ideas, contact our team for custom furniture designs tailored to your venue.

By planning the pinsetter room, seating area, and storage spaces effectively, you can ensure smooth operation and a comfortable spectator experience, providing a pleasant environment for bowling activities.

 Acoustic and Soundproofing Design
⦁ Acoustic Materials:
① Use carpets, fabric-wrapped wall panels, or acoustic ceilings to reduce echo and improve sound quality. 

② Choose materials with high NRC (Noise Reflection Coefficient).

⦁ Soundproofing Design:
① Use high STC (Sound Transmission Class) materials to block external noise. Recommended materials include:
② Double-layer walls with air gaps.
    - Mineral wool or acoustic fiber-filled walls.
    - Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) sound barriers.
    - Viscoelastic sealants (e.g., Green Glue).

Flying Bowling provides bowling balls and shoes for each lane, but many operators prefer custom designs with their logo. We offer custom services for balls and shoes.

Storage Space:

⦁ Design dedicated storage areas for balls and shoes, ensuring convenience and aesthetics.

⦁ Use open shelves or closets to maintain a clean look.

Design Details:

⦁ Bowling balls have a diameter of approximately 22.65cm, so shelves should have enough space for easy placement and removal.

⦁ Shoes should be stored in vertical spaces 16-20cm apart for easy categorization.

Floor Recommendations:
⦁ Carpet: Recommended for its acoustic benefits but requires regular maintenance.
⦁ Wooden Flooring or Vinyl: Durable and low maintenance, ideal for commercial spaces.
⦁ Tiles or Colored Concrete: Not recommended due to poor acoustic performance and susceptibility to damage.

Wall Design:
⦁ Use vertical decorative elements (e.g., pilasters or acoustic panels) to add depth to the space.
⦁ Install mirrors or large wall art to enhance visual effects.
⦁ If the venue is near windows, apply UV-blocking film to prevent direct sunlight from affecting the lane surfaces.

Floor and Wall Design
⦁ Floor Load-Bearing Capacity:
⦁ Each pinsetter, including its base, weighs up to 1,500kg. Ensure the load-bearing capacity is 350 kg/m² in the pinsetter area and 200 kg/m² in the bowling and leisure areas.
⦁ Ensure the bowling lane installation area is level, with a height deviation of no more than 2cm.

Pipe Restrictions:
⦁  Do not run pipes, cables, or radiant heating under bowling equipment.
⦁  If wastewater pumps are required, install them in the service aisle behind the pinsetters.

Power Requirements and Planning

Subpanel Configuration:
⦁ Bowling equipment operates at 220V. Install a 100-amp subpanel in the pinsetter room, dedicated to bowling equipment.
⦁ Ensure no obstacles are within 1 meter of the subpanel.

Equipment Power Supply:
⦁ Pinsetters require a single-phase power supply. Confirm local voltage and plug standards with our team before production.
⦁ Provide separate power outlets for lane management systems, lighting, and scoring displays.

If each lane accommodates four or five bowlers, there may be waiting time between turns. Providing comfortable seating, snacks, and social spaces is essential. Many private lanes feature built-in bench seating in straight or U-shapes. Sectional sofas are also common. Adding movable chairs offers flexibility for bowlers. Don’t forget a few coffee tables.

For venues with 12 or more consecutive lanes, factory-produced furniture is a great option, as it is modular and fits perfectly with the lanes.

Color

Most commercial bowling centers use the same cookie-cutter color schemes. Choose unique colors to convey a sense of exclusivity, making your venue stand out.

Lane Colors

⦁ Lane colors have the most significant visual impact, as they cover large areas.

① Lane materials must stay within the lane system boundaries and not extend to aisles or seating areas.

② Avoid matching lane colors with adjacent flooring. This may look like a mistake. Instead, choose contrasting, complementary colors to visually separate the bowling area from spectator zones.

Guardrails

If your bowling alley has foot traffic on one or both sides of the lanes, install guardrails or low walls to prevent accidents. Guardrails should start at or just beyond the foul line and end at the curtain wall.