Synthetic grass pitchesSpecific maintenance requirements will vary according to pitch type <strong>and</strong> manufacturers instructions.An indicative outline schedule is provided below:Figure 15: Suggested maintenance for an SGP.ActionCheck fixtures <strong>and</strong> fittingsMake sure gates are shutClear leaves <strong>and</strong> rubbish from the areaDeal with any new weeds, moss or algaeBrush the surface of the pitch to redistribute s<strong>and</strong>Check infill levelsOutside the fence, check <strong>and</strong> clear mowing strips <strong>and</strong> check cleanliness of access pathsCheck the irrigation system if installedCheck lightingCheck thoroughly for moss <strong>and</strong> algae growth, food stains etc, <strong>and</strong> remedy as appropriateCheck seams, inlaid lines etc, <strong>and</strong> report any failures to the installerPower grooming• Sweep the pitch surface with rotating brush• Remove debris <strong>and</strong> leaves• Remove fine contaminates <strong>and</strong> dusts from the surfaceFrequencyDailyDailyWeeklyWeeklyWeeklyMonthlyMonthlyMonthlyMonthlyPeriodically(at least every six months)Periodically(at least every six months)QuarterlyMulti-use games areas <strong>and</strong>tennis courtsThe routine maintenance requirements forMUGAs <strong>and</strong> tennis courts will vary accordingto the type of surface finish. Indicative outlinemaintenance schedules are provided below.Bitmac <strong>and</strong> porous concrete facilitiesBitmac facilities are hard wearing <strong>and</strong> requirerelatively little maintenance. The main requirementsare to keep the area free from debris, preventmoss <strong>and</strong> algae forming <strong>and</strong> ensure that theinterstices of the surface do not become cloggedthus impairing drainage.While porous concrete courts are hard wearing<strong>and</strong> need very little maintenance, it is critical thatthe required maintenance actions are carried outif the court is to remain free draining. It is importantthat vegetation <strong>and</strong> debris are removed from thecourt otherwise the free drainage of the structurewill be impaired. A typical maintenance schedulefor both these surfaces is suggested opposite.Figure 16: Suggested maintenance for Bitmac<strong>and</strong> porous concrete facilities.ActionCheck facility, fixtures <strong>and</strong> fittingsRemove litter <strong>and</strong> debris asrequiredClear leaves <strong>and</strong> rubbish fromthe courtDeal with any moss or algaeCheck lightingWash the courtApply moss-killerRe-paint lines as requiredFrequencyDailyDailyWeeklyMonthlyMonthlyAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyMoss <strong>and</strong> weed treatment• Apply regulation dosages of an approved moss <strong>and</strong> weed killer to a 3m b<strong>and</strong> on thepitch perimeter. Apply in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions <strong>and</strong> current Health<strong>and</strong> Safety Legislation. The application will generally be carried out using tractor mountedapplicators• Dependent on the severity of infestation more than one application may be required• Also dependent on the severity of infestation, the treated area may be restricted to theperimeter margin or a full application across the total playing surface may be requiredContra brushing• Penetrate the top 2–3 mm of s<strong>and</strong> infill• Break up the formed crust of contaminant <strong>and</strong> compacted silica s<strong>and</strong>• Drag brush the surface to provide even coverageEvery 6 monthsAnnual<strong>School</strong> <strong>Playing</strong> <strong>Fields</strong> 52<strong>School</strong> <strong>Playing</strong> <strong>Fields</strong> 53
Polymeric surfaced facilitiesPolymeric surfaces are comparatively easy tomaintain, keeping the surface clean being theonly routine maintenance that the court surfaceshould require.Figure 17: Suggested maintenance forpolymeric surfaced facilities.ActionCheck facility, fixtures <strong>and</strong> fittingsRemove litter <strong>and</strong> debris asrequiredRemove dust, leaves, rubbish <strong>and</strong>other detritus from the surfaceWash the surface, removing stainswith a mild detergent <strong>and</strong> soft brushCheck lightingFrequencyDailyDailyWeeklyMonthlyMonthlyCheck the court surface carefully. AnnuallyCall in the installer if there is anycause for concern or if it is suspectedthat the surface needs re-coatingSynthetic grass surfaced facilitiesMaintenance of artificial grass courts is particularlyimportant. Neglecting the recommended schedulecould have serious long-term consequences evenif, in the shorter term, the court does not appear tosuffer. Maintenance need not be time-consumingor onerous, but its benefits are profound. To omitthe recommended processes may result in a courtceasing to drain at half-life or sooner. A typicalroutine maintenance schedule is shown opposite.Figure 18: Suggested maintenance forsynthetic grass surfaced facilities.ActionCheck facility, fixtures <strong>and</strong> fittingsRemove litter <strong>and</strong> debris as requiredClear leaves <strong>and</strong> rubbish fromthe courtDeal with any new weeds, mossor algaeBrush the surface to redistributein-fillMove s<strong>and</strong> which accumulates incorners etc <strong>and</strong> redistributeCheck s<strong>and</strong> levelsCheck lightingCheck for moss <strong>and</strong> algae growthetc <strong>and</strong> remedy as appropriateGroom with a rotary brush/vacuumFrequencyDailyDailyWeeklyWeeklyWeeklyMonthlyMonthlyMonthlyEvery six months(at least)Every six months(at least)Treat court with moss-killer/ Annuallyalgaecide. Call in the installer if anyaspect is causing significant concernNote: These are minimum recommendations. Cleaning,grooming <strong>and</strong> court inspection can always be done morefrequently.Polymeric track <strong>and</strong> field facilitiesBy their nature, polymeric surfaces are extremelydurable, being designed to satisfy arduousperformance test criteria whilst withst<strong>and</strong>ingconstant spike use in varying climates. However,there is no such thing as a ‘maintenance-free’sports surface, <strong>and</strong> all polymeric track surfaceswill require a modest degree of maintenance.This basic maintenance is of vital importanceif the surface is to remain consistent inperformance, safe for the athlete to run <strong>and</strong>jump on <strong>and</strong> long lasting. Indeed, the installer’sguarantee will usually be conditional on therecommended maintenance requirementsbeing carried out with reasonable diligence.Maintenance procedures are designed toensure that:• the synthetic track <strong>and</strong> field event surfacesare kept scrupulously clean;• the surfaces are safe for all st<strong>and</strong>ards of user;• in the case of a porous system, the freedrainage of surface water is maintainedthroughout the life of the track; <strong>and</strong>• the facility looks attractive <strong>and</strong> well-kept atall times.These objectives are achieved by:• sweeping leaves <strong>and</strong> other detritus from thesurface;• washing the surface to remove contaminantssuch as grime, algae, moss, s<strong>and</strong>, etc;• applying prophylactic treatments of moss-killer<strong>and</strong>/or algaecide; <strong>and</strong>• periodically removing weed growth from theperimeter kerb lines.Leaves, tree flowers, pine needles <strong>and</strong> otherdetritus should not be allowed to remain onthe surface for any length of time. If this doeshappen, they rapidly rot down, forming acontaminating ‘skin’ on the surface <strong>and</strong> providinga growing medium for algae <strong>and</strong> moss. Amechanical leaf-sweeper or vacuum cleaner isideal for removing vegetation <strong>and</strong> other rubbish.Restricted areas may have to be undertaken byh<strong>and</strong>. At least once a year, it is advisable to washthe surface using high-pressure jetting apparatus.At all track venues, maintenance machinerywill require regular access to the central grassedarea. It is good practice to provide protection forthe track surface at regular pedestrian crossingpoints, e.g. from the dressing room on to acentral pitch. This protection could take theform of rollout matting to ensure that mud fromfootball boots does not contaminate the tracksurface. It is wise to provide plywood or similarsheeting to allow access to the central area forgrass cutting machines, etc.<strong>School</strong> <strong>Playing</strong> <strong>Fields</strong> 54<strong>School</strong> <strong>Playing</strong> <strong>Fields</strong> 55