Artificial Surfaces
First and foremost, let’s get one urban myth out of the way; artificial sports surfaces are not ‘all-weather’ surfaces, just like they are not maintenance free. You
can’t play on a surface if it is covered in ice, unless you are playing ice
hockey, figure skating, or curling. You can’t play on a surface if it is covered in snow, unless you are skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding, and so on. You get the picture.
Report by Dr Colin Mumford
They are not ‘ALL’ weather E
xtreme weather conditions render artificial surfaces unplayable, as they do natural turf playing surfaces. That’s all I have to say about that before we get entwined in that never ending debate about artificial verses natural turf. Snow and ice doesn’t pose a threat to your artificial surface if left alone and permitted to melt naturally but, as Bill Pomfret from UK artificial carpet manufacturers and installers, Thornton
infill of the carpet. A vast majority of outdoor carpets will contain a sand component, and such aggregate at the base of the carpet is likely to retain moisture for some time, especially during the winter months. Low temperatures will allow this moisture and, consequently, the sand to freeze. This can severely inhibit the playing and draining characteristics of the carpet and pose a Health and Safety risk to the users of the facility.”
Removing snow
Regardless of the weather conditions, many sports facilities will want to see a financial return on their investment in an artificial sports surface, which means maximising play all year round. If it’s covered in snow it needs to be removed, or does it?
“In terms of snowfall, we recommend that if there’s just a relatively light dusting, the best way to try to clear the surface is actually to play on it,” suggests Bill Pomfret. But what constitutes a light dusting of snow? 0.5 cm according to TigerTurf ’s Matt Magee; with the caveat that the surface can be played on as long as the line markings are clearly visible. He does, however, recommend that users take extra care during periods of adverse weather.
Snow on an artificial in the Isle of Man © Colin McMullin
“The turf structure will freeze in conditions lower than minus five degrees
centigrade. It is not advised to use the surface in these conditions”
Matt Magee, Marketing Director, TigerTurf 52 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
Sports, explains; “Snow and ice can result in a pitch being unsuitable for use due to the risk of damaging the surface and the health and safety implications.” This view is echoed by Matt Magee, who is the Marketing Director for artificial carpet manufacturer, TigerTurf (UK) Ltd; “The turf structure will freeze in conditions lower than minus five degrees centigrade. It is not advised to use the surface in these conditions.” Further clarification is given by Sean Colbert, who is the Area Manager for artificial surface manufacturers, Playrite. “Just like any outdoor facility, a synthetic surface of any specification will be susceptible to extreme weather conditions, such as harsh frost. Low winter temperatures will allow for the freezing of any moisture present in the
If you do have snowfall greater than a light dusting, what’s the best way to remove it? The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) Code of Practice for the Maintenance of Synthetic Sports Surfaces suggests the use of brushes or wooden scrapers, advising against the use of metal shovels or scrapers as they may damage the surface. Realistically, any sharp edged scraper, irrespective of the material it is made from, will pose a potential risk to damaging seams or the carpet itself. Hand tools are fine for clearing snow on small areas, such as a single tennis court, but larger areas, such as a full size pitch, will require a lot of manpower or something more mechanical. The SAPCA guidelines advise against mechanical snow removal equipment, but doesn’t state why! Bill Pomfret has a more realistic and practical approach; “A pitch can be cleared with a snow plough that has been fitted with a rubber edged snow guard. Note, however, that it is important to clear the snow to a height of approximately 5cm only, as the frozen
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156