Artificial Surfaces
Maintenance is fundamentally important in lifecycle plans and surface performance qualities of any surface, regardless of whether it is natural or synthetic
understand, develop and potentially modify maintenance regimes, user frequencies, satisfying insurance companies and user groups such as directors of sport or external clients and even develop best practice maintenance regimes. I personally feel this will become more commonplace as litigation and performance standards improve and are demanded over time.
The way ahead
Our understanding and sense of importance placed on maintenance of synthetic and all weather areas has improved and increased dramatically over the last ten years or so. I do not see this stopping but, indeed, gathering pace if anything. There will be a greater emphasis placed on objective pitch measurements and prescriptive maintenance to meet these obligations and recommendations. More and more of the governing bodies
are organising themselves to offer and recommend specific design solutions and methodologies for extending pitch life. More recently, this includes the International Hockey Federation that has put together a pitch recognition scheme which is detailed on their website. Some of it will not come to fruition until 2016, but this is just round the
corner and is being led, I understand, by a recognised industry professional. Without doubt, maintenance is fundamentally important in lifecycle plans and surface performance qualities of any surface, regardless of whether it is natural or synthetic. Some specific industry sectors have made funding commitments to synthetic surface installation which I can see running without abatement. The fact is the synthetic and artificial bandwagon is rolling and rolling strong. I believe we should embrace it, seek to understand it and manage it accordingly. I cannot see it going away in my professional career, so there will be work for most, albeit specific niche work associated with particular surface types.
Next Year
I do hope you have enjoyed these series of articles and it has given you an insight into some of my opinions and experiences gathered over thirty years of working both as a practitioner, educator and consultant. We have the option, at the moment, of more articles on a broad range of subjects in 2016, but I have decided to take a short break so that you don’t get too bored of my ramblings. If there is a demand of course, or a specific subject to be discussed, I am sure
Manage your artificial pitch maintenance online with O.T.I.S. – the online Technical Information System new and exclusive to Technical Surfaces!
● Record usage & booking hours ● Log & schedule maintenance work ● View reports & quotes
● Access Health & Safety information
● Utilise online pitch support tools
PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2016 I 109
”
Pitchcare will be amenable to your ideas. We have been working on several
important and specific contracts over the last twelve months or so, including a commercial groundcare contract in the independent school sector and a 9-hole golf course development with synthetic greens, tees and collars. We have also worked on strategic planning and new developments in planning requirements. So there is much to report on, including some more obscure work that doesn't come around every day. It has been a pleasure writing these articles and I wish you all the best in your grounds related endeavours.
For a more detailed overview of David’s career to date, please see issue 59 of Pitchcare magazine.
David Rhodes T: 07711 846722 E:
info@tractionsports.co.uk W:
www.tractionsports.co.uk
tel: 08702 400 700
email:
info@technicalsurfaces.co.uk www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk
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