FACILITY & OPERATIONS

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SYNTHETIC TURF•

am enance

Ihe American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) isa professional resource for designers, builders, andsuppliers for sports facilities, as well as for ownersand operators of these facilities. ASBA has morethan 350 member companies who are committedto quality construction, and the organization is rcc-

ognized as a central source for technical information. Please seewww.spnrtshuilders.org. for publications, including the "Buyer's Guidefor Synthetic Turf Field Consrructton," (free of charge), membershipinformation, and a searchable member database.

Here we reprint portions or Chapter V of ASBA's new publication,Synlhelic TurfSjJorls Fields: A Construction and Maintenance Manual

A well-constructed and well-maintained synthetic turf field will offeryears of play. However, synthetic turf is not, as some have claimed,maintenance free. To maximize the useful life of the field, the ownershould develop and implement a regular schedule of maintenance. Thegoal of the maintenance program is to insure a consistent and attractiveplaying surface, to promote player safety and to protect the turf system.Regular maintenance is more cost effective than allowing the field todeteriorate to the point where it requires major work. A maintenanceplan will include routine cleaning and grooming, as well as periodicinspection, repair of minor irregularities, testing, and topdressing.

These recommendations describe typical regimens. However, mostmanufacturers will provide a detailed operations and maintenance man-

16 May 2007

ual. In fact, some maintenance services may he included or may be pro-vided by the manufacturer or installer as an option. Failure to follow pro-cedures recommended by the manufacturer may void your warranty.

CleaningThe most important step in maintaining a synthetic turf field is to keepit clean. Begin by practicing preventive maintenance. Prohibit food andbeverages on the field. Even water stations should be placed off the turfto minimize contamination by spit. Prohibit smoking on or near thefield. Not only are bums difficult to repair, but cigarette ash and buttsmust be removed.

If possible, ban chewing gum, chewing tobacco and sunflower seedson or near the field. Removing chewing gum, though not difficult, istime consuming. Maintenance personnel should first chill the gum withice or aerosol spray to make it brittle and, then, gently break it up toremove it.

Remove debris immediately. This will include trash - food wrap-pers, pompom shreds, tape - dust and dirt, and environmental debrissuch as leaves, pine cones, needles, pollen, bird droppings. If left inplace, organic material will quickly decay and filter into the infill,where it will impede drainage and serve as a medium for the growth ofbacteria, algae, and fungi.

Cleaning will require at least some hand labor. A soft broom or rub-ber-tined rake may be used for removing surface debris. A mechanicalleaf blower or sweeper or a vacuum, specially designed for this pur-pose, if approved by the manufacturer, is especially efficient. A soft-

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FACILITY & OPERATIONSbristled broom pulled behind a golf cart or Gator also may be used.The goal is to remove the debris ..vithout picking up any of the rubberinfill. This may take care. Both manual and mechanical cleaning equip-ment will lend to remove some infill during the first few months. As theinfill settles and the fibers fibrillate, this ....'ill cease to be a problem. Inthe first year, litter removal also may include some loose fibers.

The amount of maintenance required by a particular synthetic turffacility will "aly depending upon the geographic location, the amountand type of use, player conduct and alternative use, if any.

With light use, monthly full cleaning, coupled with occasional spotpickup, may be sufficient. With heavy use, cleaning may be required bi-weekly or more. Mechanical sweeping should include 5-6 passes inopposite directions, sometimes longwise, sometimes across the field,and may take 2-3 hours.

The owner should develop an appropriate maintenance plan,ensure that maintenance is performed correctly to avoid damaging thesurface and keep records of maintenance procedures and problemsnoted. The need for excessive maintenance may be an indicator ofmore serious problems.

Spot clean spills as soon as they occur. Because the rubber infillholds heat, most liquids dry quickly. Removing them while still wet isrecommended. For that reason, careful post-game inspection and clean-ing is optimum.

Most spills are easily removed with hot (not boiling) water and amild soap, such as liquid dishwashing detergent, Oily marks mayrequire a small amount of mineral spirits, if approved by the manufac-turer, but in general solvent cleaners should not be used. Once the spillis loosened, rinse the area thoroughly as any residue remaining mayserve as a growth medium for bacteria, algae and/or mold.

Blood, vomit, urine, sweat and spitGrass fields contain billions of naturally occurring beneficial organ-isms which break down organic contaminants including blood, vomit,urine, sweat and spit, as well as insect, bird and animal droppings.Synthetic turf fields contain few if any such beneficial bacteria. Forthat reason, organic contaminants must be cleaned and the fiber andinfil1 must be disinfected.

First, pick up any solid material that can be removed. To removeany remaining material and disinfect the field, apply an organic orenzymatic cleaning agent or one of the proprietary products now beingdeveloped specifically for this purpose. Mix up a fresh batch of clean-er according to the manufacturers' instructions for each cleaning.Apply the solution with a low-pressure sprayer to thoroughly wet thesurface. Allow the surface to remain wet for at least 10 minutes andrinse thoroughly. The goal is to wash the contaminant and the cleaningsolution all the way through the surface.

Just as wrestling programs regularly disinfect their mats, some syn-thetic rurf owners are beginning to disinfect their fields on a regularschedule, as often as twice a month. Some programs also are disinfect-ing the sideline areas, where contamination concentrates, more often,even after each use.

Metal objects in the field are hazardous. Part of the grooming rou-tine should include regularly dragging a magnet over the field toremove such objects.

18 May 2007

Buy itSynthetic Turf Sports Fields: A Construction andMaintenance Manual is available for $44.95 plus

shipping from the American Sports BuildersAssociation. Go to www.sportsbuilders.org andclick on "ASBA Publications" on the left side.

I# AMEI{ICAN SPOI{TS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

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Health and hygieneThose responsible for athletic facilities and programs should be sensitive tothe general societal concern regarding transmission of infections, some ofwhich are resistant to antibiotics and very difficult to treat. Such infectionsare being seen more frequently in a wide variety 01' settings, including hos-pitals, nursing homes and athletic facilities, and in other circumstanceswhere the source of exposure cannot be identified. Infections may bespread in athletic programs by skin to skin contact; by sharing of uniforms,towels, pads and equipment; or by contact with a contaminated surface.

While modern synthetic turf products are only half as abrasive asolder versions, it appears that players still suffer more abrasions on syn-thetic turf than when playing on well-maintained natural grass. Agreater number of abrasions provide more avenues for entry of infec-tious organisms. Additionally, as previously mentioned, these fieldsmust be disinfected because they lack the beneficial bacteria found innatural grass fields; those bacteria break down organic contaminants,which might provide a growth medium for infectious agents.

Experts say that good hygiene throughout the athletic program isthe key to preventing the spread of infectious. In addition [0 fieldhygiene, experts recommend that players and coaches in all athleticprograms thoroughly wash and disinfect any open wounds or abra-sions, no matter how minor, as they occur and keep all wounds covereduntil they heal. Proper cleaning and maintenance of locker rooms,whirlpools, and other facilities used by the athletes is necessary.Additionally, players should shower thoroughly after every practiceand game, and should avoid sharing uniforms, towels, or personalequipment, including soap and razors. Any athlete with a skin woundthat leads to fever, muscle pain, fatigue, or develops a blister, boil, red-ness or swelling should seek prompt medical attention.

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Moss, mold, and algaeClean synthetic turffibcrs and infill will not support the growth of mossor algae. However, over time, if organic material [including food spills)filter into the inlill and, if conditions are right (dampness, shade) moss,mold, or algae may appear. Generally, such growth will be limited toless used areas of the field.

Many manufacturers can supply appropriate products to removesuch growth, Any product that is not oil-based may be used. Moss,mold and algae should be treated immediately. If allowed to becomeestablished, removing such b'TOwthcan be very difficult. Even if all theliving organisms are killed and removed, spores will remain. Therefore,successful treatment may require several applications. In the worstcase, eradication m<lYnecessitate removal of the infill, sterilization andreplacement.

While a clean synthetic turf field ",'ill not support the growth of grassor weeds, seeds which fall or blow onto the field may germinate, espe-cially if the field is regularly irrigated. Small numbers of weeds can beremoved by hand without damaging tbe surface. Care should be takento remove the full root. 1£ weeds are deeply rooted, such that they can-not be pulled by hand, commercially available weed killer may beused, as long as it is not oil-based.

Problems may develop where synthetic turf fields abul natural grassareas. Grass and/or weeds may invade the edge of the synthetic turf,

especially when the grass is reseeded. Fertilizer, pesticide, and otherchemical overspray may contaminate the turf. In fact, the synthetic turfmay look so much like grass that inexperienced grounds personnel mayeven attempt to mow or n-itn it. A divider strip of pea stone, mulch orother material between synthetic turf and natural grass will help todelineate the boundary.

FACILITY & OPERATIONS

Groomingwbtle an ungroomed surface may be usable, regular grooming can pro-long the useful life of the surface and keep it looking fresh and inviting.The recommended frequency of grooming depends on the schedulespecified by the manufacturer and often on the amount of use the fieldreceives and its location. It may be advisable to groom more frequent-ly if the field is heavily used, shaded or subject to pollution.

Regular grooming helps to maintain the performance characteristicsof a synthetic turf surface as well as the appearance of the field. On theother hand, overly frequent or overly aggressive grooming may causeexcessive wear. For that reason, each owner should carefully truckgrooming practice, observe the results and establish an appropriategrooming regimen. Failure to follow your manufacturer's guidelinesregarding grooming may void your warranty.

Grooming serves a number of purposes, including preventing and/orbreaking up compaction, redistributing and re-levellng infill, and,

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FACILITY & OPERATIONS

31l:..S~"'lllflllc Turf COUIlCII

-no, Source You can Trust"

Synthetic Turf Councilguidelines coming soon

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) was expecting finalapproval from its membership to publish its

Suggested Guidelines for the Maintenance of InfifledSynthetic Turf Surfaces at its Member Meeting late last month.

When approved, the Suggested Maintenance Guidelineswill be published and posted to the their website

(www.syntheticturfcouncil.orgl says STC president Rick Doyle.

importantly, restoring fibers to vertical. Fibersin synthetic turf have a tendency to layover inuse, especially with repetitive traffic. Fiber lay-over may lead to poor footing, decreaseddrainage, compaction and poor appearance.Once the fibers are bent all the way over, itmay be difficult to get them to stand lip again.

One form of grooming is dragging, inwhich a piece of synthetic turf or soft brush isdragged behind a small tractor, golf cart oruLility vehicle. Dragging, if recommended bythe manufacturer, can be used to redistributeinfill, reduce static electricity and give thesurface an attractive striped effect like newmown grass.

Brushes that have a rotary action, mountedin front of a power unit, are effective for stand-ing up the pile. The bristles should be hardenough to lift the fibers, buL soft enough not tocause excess fibrillation. If fibers in the turfare completely laid over, power broomingmay be necessary; however, all bruumingcauses some fibrillation. \Vetting down the

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FACILITY & OPERATIONSsurface prior to brooming may help to protectit from excessive wear.

Another form of grooming is scarificationto prevent and/or remediate compaction.Increased compaction in the field will lead topoor ball bounce, decreased drainage, poorfooting and possibly a greater incidence ofplayer injury. Testing has shown that scarifica-tion reduces G-max considerably andimproves traction. Generally, a sweeper orgreens groomer is used for scarifying' synthet-ic turf fields, It is important to minimize com-paction from the outset by keeping the Heldclean so that dirt and other comammants donot filter into the infill, filling up the voids.Preventive maintenance also should includeprotecting' the field from vehicles not desib'T1edfor athletic fields such as pick-up trucks, load-ers and concert cranes.

Maintenance equipmentAs these fields become more popular, turfmanagers are discovering new and better

practices and manufacturers are creating spe-cialized equipment for field maintenance. Anumber of manufacturers make cleaningequipment specifically for use on syntheticturf These machines may perform one ormore cleaning operations and vary in theiraggressiveness. It is important to consult themanufacturer or the surfacing system regard-ing appropriate maintenance equipment.

Machinery used all or near the turf must bewell maintained so that it does not leak oil orother fluids onto the surface. It should featurewide soft tires, sometimes called "turf tires,"and should be kept moving slowly, makingwide turns, so as not to move the aggregatebase. Heavy equipment should be prohibited.Bobcats, skid-steers, backhoes and other heavy-duty machinery may cause ruts in the sub-basethat will be reflected and visible in the turf.Additionally, this type of machinery may breakthe glue bond between the turf and an e layer,where present. Maintenance equipment shouldbe stopped or parked off the turf surface.

Heavy equipment should be prohibited.Therefore, when the field is used for alternativeevents requiring staging or seating on field, setup cranes must work from orr field and chairsshould be set on plywood, mats or plastic tiles todistribute weight and prevent divots. If theyoccur, divots must be repaired by cutting our theturf adding or redistributing base material andreplacing the turf Simply adding additionalinfill to bring up the level will create a soft spotwhich players cannot see, constituting a hazard.

At the end of the playing season, inspect allfield equipment and order any replacementparts so that the equipment can be repairedduring the off season. If new equipment isneeded, the end of the season may be a goodtime to shop for bargains

Seam failures and tearsSeams, whether in the field or in permanentmarkings, should be checked regularly toinsure that they remain secure. It is recom-mended that seam failures be called to the

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attention of the installer for repair. However,if the warranty has expired, a number of spe-cialty companies offer seam repair services.

Irrigation systemsWhile synthetic turf fields do not require irri-galion, thev benefit from watering in severalways. '''.'atering helps to settle the infill, controlstatic electricity, and increase the consistencyof ball roll and bounce, Players have stated apreference for fields that have been wateredprior to play because they reel it makes thesurface slightly firmer. During hot weather,irrigation can help to cool synthetic turf fields,though the effect is temporary.

Ideally, an irrigation system should beincluded in the field design, water pressure,water volume, sprinkler radius, friction loss,prevailing winds and other environmental con-ditions will affect the design of a suitable layoutfor an irrigation system and the type or types ofsprinkler heads to be used, though most com-monly large radius sprinkler heads are chosen.

Water lines must supply sufficient volumeto each sprinkler head to provide adequatecoverage. Galvanized steel, copper, polyethyl-ene or PVC pipe can be used for water lines.In designing any irrigation system, cautionshould be exercised in determining the loca-tion, elevation and type(s} of sprinkler headsto minimize any potential hazard to players.

Irrigation systems can be cunnected totimers that automatically turn the sprinklerson and off.

where irrigation has not been included inthe field design, water cannons are an option.Six cannons, placed at midfield and at the 30-yard line on each side, will water an entirefield. The amount of water required for opti-mum benefit will vary from field Lofield.

MarkingOn synthetic turf, field markings can be per-manent or temporary. Permanent markingsare either tufted in at the factory or cut andinlaid during installation. where the field will

be used most of the time for a single sport, per-manent lines are generally used and representone of the most obvious benefits, since mark-ing natural grass fields each time they are usedis time consuming.

If the field is to be used for multiple sports,permanent lines can be painted over andobscured and/or temporary lines painted on.Typically in high schools, football and soccermarkings are permanently tufted or inlaid,while markings for lacrosse are painted onafter the final football game in the fall forspring use. Because the markings lor boys andgirls lacrosse are different, two different colorswill be used, often red and blue.

Historically, paints used for this purposehave been difficult to remove. They havestained fibers and infill, and left "ghost"images after cleanup. Paint residue also cancause compaction and increase G-max.Repeated scrubbing is necessary to removetemporary markings has caused increasedwear of fibers in those areas. Now however,

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SportsTurf 23

FACILITY & OPERATIONSspecial paints are being developed for this pur-pose; these new paints break down over time,are easily cleaned and leave no residue.

'While field marking should be in accor-dance with the manufacturer's guidelines, g"en"eral recommendations for minimizing prob-lems with paint include:

Choose the right paint for the job. Ask fora recommendation from the manufacturerof your synthetic ruff system.Use a paint machine that allows for as lowa psi as possible.Do not drive paint into the inflll.Prior to cleaning, lightly brush the area sothat the fibers are vertical and the infill isloosened.When possible, use more water and clean-ing agent, less scrubbing.Extrading paint and cleaning solutionswith a water hog or other extractor willhelp to minimize paint residue left behind.Chalk lines are sometimes used, but tend toleave a lasting powder spread and are not

recommended. Marking compounds fornatural grass should not be used.Permanent lines require no special atten-

tion except that, if cut in as seams, they shouldbe checked regularly.

Inspectionwhere fields are used seasonally, a compre-hensive pre- and post-season inspection is rec-ommended. Where fields are used heavilyyear round, regular inspections at an appro-priate interval should be scheduled.

A thorough inspection should include at aminimum:

Seams Insure that all seams, whether in theHeld or in logos or markings, are tight. Everyplace where one color of turf is inlaid intoanother area is an opportunity for failure.Loose seams can be a tripping hazard andwill continue to deteriorate until corrected.Infill. Check rubber depth, especially in areasof wear such a comer kick areas, lacrossegoals, midfield between UlC hash marks.

Redistribute infill or topdress as necessaryPatterns of wear, wherever possible, thecause of wear should be determined, Iswear caused by inadequate maintenance,infill moving or compaction? Before theproblem can be corrected, the cause mustbe determined.Border systems. Depending on UlCsystem,border systems can move, crack, heave orsimply rail.Drainage systems. Perimeter drains, catchbasins and retention ponds only function ifthe water moves. They can becomedogged and should be checked.Line movement, In training areas or inareas where band practice results in repeat-ed movement in the same direction, linesmay move.

Removing snow and iceSnow and ice are not harmful and can be per-mitted 10 melt through the surface. In fact, ifpossible, snow removal should be avoided. If

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FACILITY & OPERATIONSsnow or ice must be removed for scheduledplay, consult the manufacturer of your turf sys-tern for approved procedures.

Brushes, wooden, rubber or plastic scrap-ers are sometimes used. Metal shovels orscrapers should not be used, nor should rocksalt. Some manufacturers claim that calciumchloride, urea and other chemical ice-meltingproducts are safe for the turf. However, theymay be retained in the turf surface and untilthey rinse away, will burn players who areexposed to them.

For power snow removal, use a rubbertipped blade set above the turf a wiled blade ora blade covered by a piece of split PVC pipe ona small Gator-type utility vehicle with turf tires.Do not use ordinal)' snow removal equipment.It is not necessary to remove all the snow. Alayer 112"- 1" thick will quickly melt in sunlight.

During freezing rain or freezing tempera-tures following rain, water within the infillmay freeze. The field may be used whenfrozen, as long as it is not slippery and fouting

AnnuallyMonthlyDaily Weekly

Treaf moss,mold andalgae.

Treat weedinfestatio'n,moss, moldor algae.

Remove leavesand trash.

Check seamsand Inlaidmarkingsand reportany failuresto installer.

Hand 'pullweeds. Topdress with

Inflll, asrequired byO&M manual.

Check for over-compactionand groom asnecessary.Inspect, test.

Brush thesurface toredistributeinfill and main-tain verticalfibers.

Spot cleanspills.

Set up events -marking,movingbenches.Setting upgoals.

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SportsTurf 25www.sportsturfmanager.org

FACILITY & OPERATIONSMarch Inspect field. August Inspect. Brush lightly. Sweep.

Sweep. Paint for fall sports if notGroom. sewn In.

April Brush lightly. Sweep. september Brush lightly.Paint for spring sports If Sweep.not sewn in.

May Brush lightly. Sweep. October Brush lightly. Sweep.

June Brush heavily. November Brush heavUy. "@

Sweep. Sweep.Groom. Groom.

JUly Sweep. Test. December Inspect field.

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THE GAME MUST GO ON.An Airfield is the ultimate sports turf

drainage system whether you areplaying on natural or artificial turf.

Artificial Turl8f1'neflts:-Drains remarkably faster-rteeuces installation time-Reduces G-Max-eunmetee rubber migration-Ellrnlnates standing water-Strong enough lor vehicles-Below enlire playing surface-Air void for heating and DOolillfl·Allows fiushing and sanitizing·Maintains ~vel playing surface

N8tural Turl8enefits:-orems remarkably faste,-aeeoees Installation lime-geduces irrigation requirements-Extends playing season-Eliminates slanding water-rteouces maintenance cosls-BaJow entire playing surface-Superior parched water table-Greater root Jl1a$\l

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FACILITY & OPERATIONDis adequate; however, care should be exer-cised as the fibers will be brittle and more sub-ject to damage and the shock absorption ofthe surface will be reduced. Player safetyshould be the primary concern.

A synthetic turf field can be preventedfrom freezing or from accumulating snowwith a subsurface heating system, composedof miles of tubing filled with water and glycol.While a significant cost, the inclusion of aheating system may significantly increase thenumber of days the field can be used illextreme climates and may reduce mainte-nance and extend the life of the field.

What to expect of a new surfaceIt may lake up to twelve months for the infillto settle completely into the fiber of the syn-thetic turf surface. Regular grooming willassist with senlement. New rubber will gen-erate static electricity. Rubber will stick toplayers' skin (sweat attracts crumb rubber),clothing, even mouth guards, and will col-lect in their shoes. Over time, rain generallysolves the problem and pre-game wateringhelps, but turf manufacturers recommendanti-static products to minimize loss of rub-ber and the inconvenience. Many groundsmanagers spray their new fields with dilutedfabric softener prior to play but not rightbefore a game as the wet solution may makethe surface slippery. Please note that this isoutside the product's labeled and intendeduse, though it appears to be effective.Crumb rubber is an eye irritant, U.'J well.Trainers should keep a first aid kit includingeyewash on hand.

Until the field settles and the fibers fibril-late, expect some movemenL of infill. Rubberparticles may accumulate in corners or thebleachers or any other area that traps them.

TopdressingTIle owner's maintenance guidelines may sug-gest topdressing the surface with additionalinfill during its lifetime to retain performancecharacteristics and to extend the life of thefield. Over time, infill will move, settle andleave the field on shoes, uniforms and main-tenance equipment Restoring lost infill willhelp to maintain the G-max rating, along withconsistent ball 1"011,bounce and other per-formance characteristics.

Approximately 20 tons of crumb rubber

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TheIkrti-Brushquicklyand efh,etiwlylevels and distributes applied orellisting infill with powerfulhydraulic brushes.

Tobrush, loosen and decomp"ct thehardest Inflll, the Vertl-Groomis ..quipped with a variety ofInterch"ngeable tools.

Verti-BroomFor brushing "nd striping of artificialturl, nothing beats the provenVerti-Broom. The highly effectivetri"ngul"r arr"ngement of thebrushes will str"ighten "nd groome"ch grass blade for an attractiveand realistic linish.

VQrti-TopThe Verti-Topemploysa highlyeffedivesynthetic rotary brush to rem""e debris"00 top layer Infillfrom the turf; thensiftsthe debris out in a uniquevibratoryshaker which redistributes the c1.... ninllliback on the field.

VliiIrti-AirThe Verti-Ai. utilizes a rol"ry brushand turbine coml'ressed air to Uft anmaterl,,1out 01 the tllff. dry "nd Illterthe material, sift out thtl debris "ndreturn the clean, dry and decompactedinflllback Into the turf.

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SportsTurf 27

FACILITY & OPERATIONSwill cover the field to a depth of 114" Variousequipment can be used for this purpose -either topdressing equipment designed foruse on natural turf (golf courses may havethis equipment) or newer equipment special-ly made for use on synthetic turf Once theinfill material is spread, it must be brushedinto the fibers.

Ideally the identical material, whether rub-ber or rubber/sand mix, from the same sourceas used in initial construction should be usedfor topdressing. Consult your installer 10 locateinfill for topdressing.

Removing and replacing infillSome manufacturers and/or lurf managerssuggest that removing and replacing all theinflll can significantly prolong the usefullife ofthe field. One question that arises is what to dowith the used intill material that is removed.Because of the proliferation of synthetic turffields at alllevels, many companies are work-ing on this problem,

TestingAll fields should be tested when they areinstalled and at regular intervals of not morethan one year during use, Testing should be ,performed during the season when play actu-ally occurs, not during the off season, if any.Testing should be done by an independenttesting laboratory and should include the cen-ter of the field, the hashes and me sidelines atamimmum.

Most attention has focused on G-max test-ing. Industry-wide accepted values for G-maxsafety call for a newly installed field to yield anaverage of 100 Os at an ambient temperatureof 70 degrees F and G-max measurementsshould not exceed 200 Gs at any time duringthe usefullifc of the field.

Drainage maintenanceProper drainage helps to remove water fromthe surface and redirects water that may flowover or under the turf from surrounding areas.lncorporating proper drainage alone is not

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sufficient to prevent problems. Drainage mustbe maintained.

Swales, French drains and catch basins canbecome clogged by vegetation and Sill,

Keeping vegetation properly trimmed, neu-tralizing roots or using root barriers, and/oroccasionally cleaning systems with a pressurehose may help to keep the water flowing.Including cleanouts in system design facilitatesregular maintenance.

If clogs cannot be cleared with a hose, itmay be necessary to locate them and repairthem by excavation. Most obstructions occurwhere there is a change in direction or eleva-tion. Identifying those areas on a drainage planwill be important should a problem OCCUf.

Fence maintenanceRegularly check the fence fabric For damage.Touch up nicks and scratches in vinyl or othercoatings. Ensure that all sharp edges and pro-truding wires are bent back or removed to pre-

Continued on page 32

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FACILITY & OPERATIONSContinued from page 28

Existing New New Sand- New Synthetic

-I II lill:, Soil Field Soli Field Based Field Turl Field

Initial Construction 0 $20,000 - $200,000 $350,000 - $1,000,000 $600,000 - $900,000

AnnualMaintenance Cost $15,000'- $50,000 $15,000 - $50,000 $15,000 - $50,000 $5,000 - $15,000

Remedial!Major Repairs $0 - $50,000 $0 - $50,000 $0 - $150,000 $0 - $10,000

Ten YearMaintenance Cost $150,000 - $550,000 $150,000 - $500,000 $150,000 - $650,000 $50,000 - $160,000

Ten Year Cost $150,000 - $550,000 $170,000 - $750,000 $400,000 - $1,650,000 $650,000 - $1,060,000

Cost per Year $15,000 - $55,000 $17,000 - $75,000 $40,000 - $165,000 $65,000 - $106,000

Events per Year 60 - 120 60 - 120 60-120 200 - 365**

Cost per Event $125 - $916 $141 - $1,250 $345 - $2,750 $178 - $530

With Par .A.ide,you get more, Because che quality and craftsmanslup we've become known for is now available for your

rliamnnd, court or field \X!itb rakes, tamps, shovels, brooms, squeegees, dear brushes and more', Built wirh pride for

the grounds you keep wi th pride For a catalog and a dealer ncar you, visit paraidcficldrare.com or call 1-8HS-893-24:',3,

PROFESSIONALFIELDCARE'

eporAid. Prod"c!';Co 2007

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32 May 2007 www.greenmediaonline.com

,

vent player injury. If the fabric is stretched orbulging, it may be possible to re-stretch it or,even to tum it upside down on the framework;however, this is a fairly difficult job requiringheavy equipment, more akin to renovationthan to maintenance.

Inspect cable ties and hog rings to insurethat they are securely fastened and reattachthem to the bottom tension wire as necessaty.Check all post caps, hardware and fasteners.Repair or replace missing or damaged items.

Examine gates, hinges and latches. Cleanand lubricate them so that gates swing easilyand the latches operate smoothly. If the gate isout of plumb, adjust and rehang it.

Observe the base of all fence posts at thefootings. Check for deterioration and patchwhere necessary.

Landscape maintenanceRegularly trim the grass and landscapingaround the field for a clean appearance and 1:0

ensure proper drainage. weeds left growingaround the perimeter will invade the surfaceat its edges. A 2 x 5-foot border around theperimeter should be left free of all vegetationto prevent damage.

Tree roots that extend under the fieldshould be neutralized or removed prior toconstruction. 'A/here removing tree roots andvegetation is not practical, root barriers some-times are used. Even when nearby roots areremoved prior to construction, they can trav-el great distances, especially where fields areregularly watered. Some tree speci~s are morelikely to be troublesome than Others; whitepines are especially difficult.

Where new landscape materials are usedon site, use native plants if possible, andchoose additional plants which are droughtresistant, low maintenance, disease and pestresistant and hardy. Avoid invasive species.

Use mulch on planting-s to conserve soilmoisture, minimize growth of weeds, reducemaintenance, restore fertility and reduce theneed for fertilizers. If possible, composl grassdippings, plant debris and fallen leaves for useas a soil amendment in place of inorganic fertil-izers or peat moss (a non-renewable resource).

Rental feesOne argument often used to support the installa-tion of synthetic turf fields is that because thefield can- be used for many more events each

www.sportsturfmanager.org

year, it can be rented out and rental fees will off-set the cost of installation. When calculating thepotential income from rental fees, be certain tooffset that income with the cost of set up andclean-up, painting and cleaning markinjjs, securi-ty, staffing, and use of lights and similar costs fora realistic picture of the net benefit of renting. Becertain to read your warranty, carefully, as well.warranues may have limitations based on specif-ic use, amount of use or other considerations.

Maintenance costsThe chart on the page 32 presents typical costranges. Because of the number of variables, aprospective owner should compare costsbased on actual and intended use and mainte-nance practice. This chart does not considerthe cost of irrigation.

*According to professional turf managers,the cost to maintain a natural grass field inoptimal condition is approximately $50,000per year. However, most high schools spend

more in the range of $15,000 per year; manyspend much less.

** While theoretically, a synrheuc turf fieldhas unlimited use, it is unlikely that it will hostmore than 365 events per year and, likely, itwill host many fewer events. Fewer events willincrease the cost per event, while a greaternumber will increase maintenance costs and,therefore, cost per event.

FACILITY & OPERATIONS

Typical maintenance schedulesThe schedules on page 25 and 26 are presentedonly for information as typical examples.Maintenance schedules depend on system, cli-mate, use and other factors. Failure to followyour manufacturer's guidelines may void yourwarranty. •

Reprinted with permis.~i(lnof the AmericanSports Builders Association, 8480 BaltimoreNational Pike, #307, Ellicutt City, MD 21043,Copyright2006. All rightsresemcd.

(AerWayo).4erWay~ ventingtines can be used allseason to keep thesoil surface open.Water and nutrientapplications aremore efficientbecause they areabsorbed immediate-ly into the soilproJile.

for me" information coil 1-800-457-8310

Advanced Aeration Systemsw w w. ae rw a) .coru email: ac rwavta'ner way.cnm

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SportsTurf 33