ARTIFICIAL SURFACES
S
o, do 3G football pitches require regular maintenance? The straightforward answer is yes. 3G pitches should be brushed regularly and have a
maintenance schedule in line with that recommended by the manufacturer. As a guide, the industry has a general rule of one hour’s maintenance required to every ten hours of use.
3G surfaces should not have any rubber visible on the surface; if rubber lies on the surface, it is a sign that the pitch needs maintaining. There are a number of external companies who provide additional maintenance for de-compaction and deep cleaning. The FA encourages sites to take the maintenance of their facility extremely seriously.
An artificial turf pitch (ATP) is a great
addition to any sports facility and should be seen as an advantage as it will assist any adjoining natural turf pitches. However, it will not be maintenance free, weatherproof and better than natural turf as they still can become flooded, subject to freezing conditions or get covered with fallen leaves - but this shouldn't be seen as a burden. All of this can be taken care of if one plans the maintenance of an ATP over the coming autumn and winter months The FA is aware that the playability of the surface needs to remain as consistent as possible throughout its life span. Unless a pitch is maintained properly, it will lose some of its playing quality in the long term. Artificial turf certainly demands less investment in time and cost for maintenance and can be used for many more playing hours than a natural turf pitch. Maintenance
on an artificial pitch is just as important as a natural playing surface.
The correct maintenance of a synthetic surface ensures the optimum performance of the facility is achieved for the longest period of time and that the operator is able to maximise the investment.
The need to maintain a synthetic surface is fundamental for several reasons. These can be highlighted as follows:
• Longevity • Playing Performance • Safety • Aesthetics
The maintenance does not need to be complex or costly, but it does need to be consistent and effective. When an artificial turf surface is used, the footfall will naturally
3G playing surfaces
Maintenance is essential
GKB’s Tom Shinkins discusses the importance of maintaining 3G artificial football pitches to comply with exacting standards and to ensure the full-life of the surface
102 PC June/July 2020
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