SYNTHETIC TURF
2019 ). With respect to any disposal limitations , the sports field manager should review any local ordinances and monitor any statewide restrictions .
PLANNING AND DESIGN A number of people are involved in the selection process for determining the best installer and manufacturer for a new synthetic turf field . The sports field manager should be part of the team and should be aware of all the data needed to understand the synthetic materials , the warranty , etc . The use of design professionals and certified builders with demonstrated expertise and success in the development of synthetic turf systems is highly recommended and will increase the likelihood of a successful project .
Many of the same planning and design principles for natural grass fields are relevant for the planning and design of a synthetic turf field . In addition , when considering installing a synthetic turf system , several selection criteria should be discussed by the project team , such as :
Who is the end user of the field ( professional , college , high school , parks and recreation ) and what are the needs ?
What is the climate where the field will be located ( tropical , arid , temperate , etc .)?
Is the proposed site appropriate for a synthetic turf field ( i . e ., not a floodplain )?
Is the installation of a synthetic turf field financially feasible ?
Is the selection of a synthetic field cost effective for the intended use with respect to installation , maintenance , and eventual disposal ?
Are the maintenance requirements described in the warranty understood , and can they be followed ?
Is there a program / budget for replacing the synthetic field at the end of its life ?
Is there an understanding of the life cycle of different components ( e . g ., pads , drainage , infill ) and options for recycling , reusing , or repurposing these components ?
BASE SYSTEM The stone base of a synthetic turf system is critical to the overall performance , drainage capabilities , longterm surface stability and planarity of a synthetic turf field . The components of a standard base system include the following : Native sub-grade soil Proper soil stabilization Base stone and finish stone Stone / soil interface
Installing curb drainage . Photo by B . Polimer .
Drainage pipes Peripheral drainage elements Drainage and shock attenuation pads Designing and building a stone base must balance the maintenance of the base ’ s stability at an optimal level while preserving the whole system ’ s percolation and water transmission properties .
DRAINAGE A synthetic turf drainage system encompasses the synthetic turf fibers and infill , base , drainage water evacuation system and , ultimately , the municipality ’ s stormwater / runoff collection points . The ASBA publication Sports Fields : A Construction and Maintenance Manual includes the following considerations for evaluating drainage system design : Specific use or uses of the field Local climate Availability and cost of materials Quality and characteristics of local stone Financial resources and commitment of the owner Time constraints for field construction Annual amount and intensity of rainfall Local codes and regulations regarding stormwater management
The drainage design specifies pipe diameters or the sizes of flat drains , locations and distances of laterals , collection systems , and storm sewer tie-ins for the drainage system . Once constructed , an infiltration test should be conducted to verify that the entire system meets STC minimum infiltration rate standards of 14 ” per hour .
[ An estimate of the amount of water the field needs to handle can be made using the following formula : Length of the field ( in feet ) x width of the field ( in feet ) x 0.623 gallons = gallons of water produced by 1 inch of rainfall ( Source : Sports Fields : A Construction and Maintenance Manual ).]
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