SYNTHETIC SURFACES
frequency is dependent on the amount
the surface is used and its surrounds. This
could be as much as monthly for very
high usage facilities or just annually for
much less well-used surfaces.
Severe pitch
Deep and Power Cleaning problems can be
If, in spite of the regular maintenance corrected with
described above, or as a result of a lack specialist machinery
of it, a surface becomes dirty – or in the
case of synthetic turf – over-compact-
ed and impervious, these conditions
can often be corrected by appropriate
treatment involving the use of specialist
machinery. The type of cleaning will
depend on the surface type.
Polymeric surfaces (and some macad-
am surfaces) will require cleaning with
high-pressure jetting apparatus, which
might include detergent and fungal in-
hibitors to remove dirt and prevent moss
Maintenance should be budgeted from the project outset and
and algae growth. included in the business plan and sinking fund provision
Synthetic turf surfaces require dif-
ferent machinery depending on their
design. Generally machines vary from
simple scarifiers to more elaborate Potential Cost
proprietary machines that remove a Saving
£1,500,000.00
15 year cycle
10 year cycle
proportion of the infill (containing Detailed on the right
£1,300,000.00
7 year cycle
almost all the filtered dirt) from the is a worked example
5 year cycle
£1,100,000.00
upper part of the synthetic turf. This illustrating the cost ben- £900,000.00
is then replaced with new (or cleaned) efits of extending the
£700,000.00
infill. The best of these processes will life-cycle of a synthetic
£500,000.00
improve the play characteristics, ball roll turf pitch from between
£300,000.00
and surface/foot interaction and will five and 15 years. The
£100,000.00
prolong the useful life of the pitch by a graph shows the income
number of years. generation over the full
-£100,000.00
It is essential that any scarification life-cycle. The negative
-£300,000.00
or very deep penetration of the sur- sections highlight the
-£500,000.00
face is only carried out by experienced cost of a replacement
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 Year 14 Year 15
operatives and, if still under warranty, ap- synthetic turf system
Cost benefits of extending the life cycle of synthetic turf
proved by the installer or surface supplier. after five-, seven-, 10-
and 15-year cycles.
Benefits of Maintenance It has been shown that maintenance companies and individuals to demon-
The long-term benefits of maintenance can significantly extend the useable life strate their knowledge and competency
may be becoming better understood, but of a synthetic sports surface. The illustra- for the first time within a nationally
all too often little provision is devoted tion above demonstrates the positive recognised framework as part of the
to it. Maintenance should be budgeted implications this can have for the facility National Occupational Standards and is
from the outset of a new project and and its sinking fund provision. independently examined by the award-
included in the business plan and sink- ing body EdExcel.
ing fund provision. It should start from Maintenance Competency SAPCA’s Code of Practice for the Main-
the first day after the handover of any and Training tenance of Synthetic Surfaces provides
new facility. The roles and responsibilities SAPCA has developed a National Voca- more detailed information on each
should be clearly identified, including in- tional Qualification (NVQ) in Sports and type of surface. It is available to down-
house provision and the role of specialist Play Installation which has a mainte- load free of charge from the technical
companies as required. nance route. This qualification allows guidance section of the SAPCA website,
www.sapca.org.uk. ●
Brand new facility (capital investment) £500,000 If you would like further information
Annual income from renting £125,000
on any aspects of surface maintenance
(less operating costs) (35h/week commercial hire)
or qualifications contact Dr Colin Young
Replacement synthetic turf system £150,000
of SAPCA at
colin@sapca.org.uk or
telephone 024 7641 6316
48 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital Issue 4 2009 © cybertrek 2009
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