Artificial Surfaces
It is important to stress that I believe there is a direct correlation between the quality and intensity of
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maintenance and the lifespan of a surface before significant replenishment or replacement is necessary
specialist equipment. It is not unusual in the synthetics market, particularly when dealing with polymeric type track surfaces for athletics where expensive specialist equipment is needed, but is not commercially viable to purchase as it is used relatively infrequently. Good contractors can also help you with maintenance records for insurance purposes etc.
Facility Lifecycles
It is important to stress that I believe there is a direct correlation between the quality and intensity of maintenance and the lifespan of a surface before significant replenishment or replacement is necessary. I see examples of good maintenance all the time where synthetic grass installations are extended in terms of lifecycle by intensive well prepared, well defined maintenance programmes and this can be well beyond the theoretical lifespan of the particular product or surface. Not only does this help from an income generation perspective, but can help the client with cost planning and remedial costs etc. So called sinking funds are now a pre-
requisite of most of the funding authorities, whereby an agreement is in place to put aside monies for replacement over a given period of time. If this period can be exceeded through sound maintenance, then the sinking fund can gain greater momentum over a longer period of time and, potentially, offer more opportunities when it does come to refurbishment. Many manufacturers will align a warranty or guarantee to a
predetermined recorded maintenance programme. This is particularly the case with synthetic grass manufacturers nowadays and much of this recording work is done online. As discussed further in this article, there is
a general consensus that a correlation between usage and maintenance intensity should be predetermined. It is also worthwhile considering your user demographics so that a full understanding of the likely damage and remedial works needed can be planned in advance. Simply put, a well-designed engineered and maintained surface will last longer and require less input when it comes to refurbishment. This surely has to be a cost effective way in the long term of planning and maintaining sports facilities.
Governing Body Guidance
Over recent years, governing bodies of sport have got a lot better at funding and publishing maintenance, research and information on specific surface types. I would always advise that you check out the governing body websites on a fairly regular basis to ensure that you are in tune with the latest maintenance information available. Similarly, industry governing bodies,
technical publications such as this and the Sport and Play Construction Association can also offer not just guidance documentation but up to date information on maintenance equipment available. The traditional governing bodies of sport, such as Sport England, will also publish periodically authoritative guidance on maintenance as
well as a range of other topics directly relevant to and impacted by maintenance itself.
The nuances of maintenance and the subjectivity that you find on each site can be picked up over time from various site managers and utilised if appropriate in your plans. Each grounds manager will have a slightly different take on maintenance, and each site will have a specific set of requirements that need to be met and dealt with. As with grounds maintenance in general, a full swathe of information should be absorbed and considered accordingly and then implemented by a sound maintenance programme that is well documented and understood by trained and competent staff. Finally, it is worth mentioning that training
courses are available to develop specific practical skills in looking after such surfaces. First port of call here, I would recommend, has to be Pitchcare as their courses are Government recognised.
The 1:10 rule
When taken in isolation that is not considering using demographics etc., the 1:10 rule is a useful principle to follow. It simply means that, for every ten hours use of the surface, one hour’s maintenance should be carried out. I appreciate that this does not specify the type of maintenance, but it gives you an idea, at least, on the labour inputs required focusing on maintenance rather than litter picking etc. It is a prerequisite of any surface that litter is picked on a regular basis, particularly after
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