Artificial Surfaces


“When legal action is brought following an accident on an artificial pitch, documentation is often required to demonstrate proof that repairs have been completed”


“There is a


growing need for those in charge of artificial sports pitches to record total weekly and monthly hours of usage, as well as logging all maintenance activities, to ensure warranty compliance”


the surface underfoot and, if overlooked in the long term, could be considered a contributory factor in players sustaining injury.


Drag brushing alone does not address this, so it is important that the artificial pitch is swept using a rotary brush with filtration systems, which lift and clean the top layer of infill before returning it to the carpet. This service should ideally be carried out on a monthly basis to complement the weekly in-house drag brushing of the pitch. A more intense clean should also be completed either annually or, as a minimum, every second year. Such processes are designed to get much deeper into the carpet pile, removing any dust, debris and broken- down carpet fibres that have migrated lower into the infill. Moss and weed growth can also cause a potential slip hazard for players, and must be treated and removed on a regular basis. When legal action is brought following an accident on an artificial pitch, documentation is often required to demonstrate proof that repairs have been completed, or else to show that the


health & safety status of the facility has been assessed regularly by a competent third party. Detailed evaluations should be conducted annually by an artificial pitch maintenance specialist, to monitor the factors affecting player performance and pitch endurance, such as carpet pile wear, infill levels and distribution, and drainage capabilities. It is also important to remember that the safety status of an artificial pitch extends beyond the playing surface itself, to include any playing equipment, perimeter fencing, surrounds and access. For instance, goals should conform to the relevant British standards, and it is the responsibility of the facility operators to ensure they are in good condition at all times. A comprehensive assessment of your facility should, therefore, include advice on suitable anchorage for securing goals in place, to prevent goalposts from collapsing or toppling forwards and causing serious injuries or even fatalities. There is also a growing need for those


in charge of artificial sports pitches to record total weekly and monthly hours of usage, as well as logging all maintenance


■ Regular Sweeping ■ 3G Decompactions ■ Infill Top-Ups ■ Vegetation Treatments ■ Machinery & Equipment ■ Demonstrations & Training ■ Specialist Deep-Cleaning ■ Infill Extraction & Replacement ■ Line Marking ■ Repairs


56 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012


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