These systems are not maintenance free. They require regular care and attention to keep the surface clean and infill materials agitated
Whereas a natural turf pitch will accommodate an average weekly usage of three hours before surface quality is lost, an artificial pitch, being far more durable, can sustain over sixty hours of play per week.
The playability and longevity of any artificial sports surface will be dictated by a number of factors: choice of playing surface (pile type, infill materials), site location, choice of sub base construction (fully engineered or dynamic stone base), quality of installation and, finally, how the facility is managed and maintained. Most installations will last fifteen years, assuming that the correct maintenance procedures are carried out.
Installation
In the UK, the preferred orientation of a pitch is north-south to avoid playing into the setting sun. Any new installation should also identify site boundaries, trees, and existing services and plot the position of roads and access to the site. A comprehensive sub-soil survey is also a basic requirement prior to final site selection, and certainly prior to construction. For sites with poor sub-soil drainage characteristics, it will be necessary to install a primary drainage system below the surface of a pitch. Consideration must be given to dealing with surface water drainage, including ingress from other areas such as adjacent higher ground or cut banks. This is normally achieved by providing a cut-off drain (French drain) on the outside edge of the facility. The resultant surface water must be conveyed away from the facility to an adjacent watercourse. In some cases the only option will be a soakaway. Having a sound footing and effective drainage system is crucial to the success of the facility. The last thing you want is to find the surface flooding after rain or low
spots forming due to subsidence occurring. The next key component is to ensure you use an approved installer. SAPCA, the Sports and Play Contractors Association, and the LDCA, the Land Drainage Contractors Association, are organisations that promote qualified and experienced contractors.
A facility near trees will give you another set of problems. Areas in the shade of trees will encourage moss and algae forming on the playing surface which can, in turn, affect surface playability with surfaces becoming slippery. Leaf and twig debris can also contaminate and compromise the performance of the pile and infill materials.
Maintenance
Keeping the surface clean is paramount. All users should be made aware of their responsibilities. For example, by using the correct, clean footwear and disposing of chewing gum in a responsible manner the task of ongoing maintenance will be made easier. Signs should be erected to remind both players and spectators of their responsibilities. To provide the correct level of maintenance for a full size facility (7500m2
) will cost anything up to £10,000 per annum. This is based on a regular programme of brushing, dragmatting and a biannual rejuvenation of the surface that, generally, requires the hiring of specialist equipment. This work will include:
• Removal of grass, litter, leaves, twigs, chewing gum and contaminant soil
• Cleaning from pollution (dust, finer contaminant particles)
• Removal of weeds, algae and moss • Maintaining a uniform infill
• Conditioning the pile of the carpet
This work is vital and will help to maintain surface playability and prolong the life of the carpet.
Maintenance guidelines for 3G surfaces
The following represent the views of Sweepfast Ltd at the current time and should only be used in conjunction with manufacturers’ recommendations. Regular maintenance should begin immediately the carpet installation is completed. Most installers and manufacturers recommend regular drag- brushing and no more; this is not adequate to keep the surface free draining and in good condition! All organic matter should be removed
from the surface as soon as possible. Playing on a surface covered in leaves and debris leads to a rapid breakdown of the organic matter which is then pushed down into the infill by foot pressure. Likewise, drag-brushing when debris is present will break it into smaller particles which are then pushed down into the surface. Eventually, these particles, in combination with broken fibres, atmospheric pollution and algal growth, will lead to failure of the drainage characteristics of the infill material. This, in turn, renders the surface dangerous and unplayable, with the resultant need and significant cost of a major renovation. To stop the above happening all
organic debris should be removed from the surface regularly. This can be achieved using leaf blowers or with a Greensweep machine. A full sized rugby pitch can be cleaned with a 4.8 metre sweeper gang in approximately thirty minutes, and will remove most foreign bodies from the surface. As this machine is designed to collect all debris from the surface it will collect any displaced rubber infill, which can be retained, washed and reapplied
Leigh Sports Village
Exeter Chiefs 95
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