ARTIFICIAL SURFACES
Organic matter, like leaves and dirt, will result in moss or weed growth. It is essential to remove as soon as it is practical. Boot brushes and scrapers must be visible and serviceable; the brush will need replacing every six to twelve months, so ensure you have a ready supply and someone responsible for changing them.
Less frequent maintenance
Check for compaction, particularly in high wear areas. If you feel the surface is hard to walk on, this is a good indication that compaction is within the surface. At this point, a specialist contractor can visit your surface and give you guidance to help prevent this and do necessary works.
Snow/Ice
With artificial turf pitches (ATP) being damp for the majority of the winter months, it is highly likely the surface will freeze through the night, requiring a good risk assessment in the morning. More importantly, when the ATP is in use, checks should be made in the evening as the temperature can drop rapidly, causing the surface to freeze. This can be quite tricky as pockets of frozen material can lie under a few millimetres of infill, so always ensure the players
understand this and monitor the surface during their usage.
Through their very nature, artificial turf surfaces take longer to thaw than natural surfaces and, because of the very limited solar heat during the winter months, ambient ground heat will be the main source available to clear any snow or frost. PDV salt is used as a preventive on artificial surfaces. This will only work in certain temperatures. To cover a full size surface, the minimum you will need is one tonne. Do not attempt to brush the snow off the surface as this will mount at the sides of the pitch. This will cause the levels to be uneven and new rubber crumb will have to be redressed to the surface
Moss, algae and weeds
Weeds are easily removed by hand if the infestation has become too excessive. Moss and algae require specialist treatment normally using specific chemicals. Pitchcare can advise on the best products to use.
Footwear
Ensure that the correct footwear, as specified by the manufacturer, is worn at all times. Incorrect footwear can cause considerable damage to the surface.
Additional line markings
If you have been asked to put additional line markings on the pitch for mini soccer, this is acceptable so long as it is in a different colour. There are a number of products on the market that can be applied that vary in terms of how long you want the them to last. Again, Pitchcare can provide more information.
Testing
The FA’s standard code of rules regarding the use of 3G pitches became effective from 2014/15 season and, provided a pitch has been tested and appears on The FA Register, it will be allowed to be used for match play in all competitions outside the National League System (NLS), i.e. Step 7 and below, including Women’s and Youth Football. There is already clear guidance for use of these pitches in FA competitions and also in the NLS and WSL.
All pitches of all sizes wishing to be used for competitive play outside the NLS must be tested in accordance with and in the positions defined in the British Standard for synthetic turf sports surfaces; BS EN 15330- 1; by a recognised test house - a test laboratory accredited by FIFA and/or having
SPPS - World Class Ground Care
Ultra low ground pressure
echneat PC June/July 2020 105
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