Gyms and sports hall

Tests, certifications and expert opinions

Safety and standards for sports halls

Since the end of the 19th century, gyms and sports halls have been part of the permanent inventory of school activities and club sports. Students spend countless hours there during their entire school career, and a variety of popular club sports are practiced exclusively in sports halls. Whether handball, basketball or volleyball, judo, table tennis or children's gymnastics – it is impossible to list all the sports and forms of exercise offered in physical education and by sports clubs. Therefore, every school in this country actually has its own sports hall, and for club and competitive sports, there are even more.

Even though the vast majority of gyms and sports halls are very similar in their basic architectural design, there are still differences, for example in the materials used for flooring, walls and ceilings. This depends to a large extent on the primary purpose and the user groups. But in all sports halls, two things are particularly important: first, that pupils and athletes can use the facilities without risk of injury, and second, that sports activities can be carried out smoothly and in line with the requirements of the particular activity. To make this possible, there are prescribed standards for sports halls, along with specific guidelines from quality associations and sports federations. These standards regulate, inter alia, the nature and properties of sports hall flooring, walls, ceilings and installation elements.

As a certified testing laboratory, ISP GmbH – Institut für Sportstättenprüfung - carries out tests on sports hall flooring, ceilings and walls, as well as on all installation elements.

Please refer to the opposite menu for more information about our individual services in the sports hall sector.

Sports hall flooring

Systems Test criteria
point-elastic Sports function
area-elastic Protective function
combined elastic Technical properties
mixed-elastic

Robust System Structure in Gyms and Sports Halls

Sports halls are versatile venues designed for a wide range of activities in schools, clubs, and competitive sports. They typically feature a rectangular layout with high ceilings, smooth walls, and robust flooring systems tailored to safety standards. The flooring is installed on a screed and can be designed as point-elastic, area-elastic, combined-elastic, or mixed-elastic to offer varying levels of cushioning and stability. In addition, walls and ceilings are fitted with impact protection systems that prevent injuries and damage from ball impacts.

These components are developed in accordance with strict DIN standards to ensure optimal performance and safety. ISP GmbH rigorously tests and certifies every element of the system to guarantee that sports halls remain safe and fit for purpose.

Standardization for Safe and High-Quality Sports Hall Flooring

Sports hall flooring is crucial for ensuring athletes’ safety and optimal performance across a variety of sports. Various systems - ranging from point-elastic to mixed-elastic - use materials such as PVC, polyurethane, wood, or rubber to meet different sporting needs. All floorings must comply with strict standards like DIN 18032-1, DIN 18032-2, and DIN EN 14904, which detail requirements for sliding ability, force reduction, and environmental compatibility. These standards are developed by expert committees and regularly reviewed to ensure consistent quality and safety. ISP GmbH conducts thorough tests in both certified laboratories and on-site using professional equipment to verify compliance with these standards.

An officially valid test report from ISP GmbH provides sports hall operators with the confidence that their flooring supports a safe and high-performance environment.

Ensuring Safe and Compliant Walls in Sports Halls

Safe walls are essential in sports halls to protect athletes from injury and prevent damage during play. They must be smooth, and free of splintering to reduce the risk of skin injuries. Standards such as DIN 18032-1, DIN 18032-3, and DIN 18032-7 set out clear requirements for planning, impact protection, and ball-throwing safety of wall systems. These standards, developed by expert committees and regularly updated, ensure that all components meet the necessary technical and protective criteria.

ISP GmbH conducts comprehensive tests both in our certified laboratory and on-site, verifying that walls and their impact protection systems comply with these standards. The detailed test reports we provide give facility operators confidence that their sports hall walls are safe and fit for purpose.

Ensuring Ceiling and Installation Element Safety in Sports Halls

User safety in sports halls is paramount, especially when equipment may come into contact with high-speed balls during play. The relevant standards, DIN 18032-1 and DIN 18032-3, define the planning principles and testing procedures for ceilings and permanently installed fixtures like doors, gates, and lighting. These standards specify minimum ceiling heights of 5 to 7 meters and ensure that all installation elements are securely fixed to prevent detachment or damage during ball impacts. Testing involves using a ball shooting machine to simulate sports scenarios, with repeated shots from various angles to check for any visible damage.

ISP GmbH conducts these tests both in a certified laboratory and on-site, providing detailed test reports to verify compliance. This comprehensive approach ensures that sports halls remain safe and meet the highest technical requirements for competitive and recreational use.

Comprehensive Testing Methods for Sports Halls

ISP GmbH employs a range of testing methods to ensure that sports hall flooring and impact protection systems for walls meet stringent safety standards such as DIN EN 14904, DIN EN 18032-2, and DIN 18032-7. Initial tests in the laboratory verify that new products comply with all technical and safety requirements before they hit the market. Control tests are then conducted on-site in newly built facilities to confirm that the installation was carried out correctly and that the systems perform as intended. During the service life of a facility, additional tests are performed to assess whether ongoing use still meets the required standards or if refurbishment is needed.

For manufacturers, product development tests allow for collaborative refinement of materials and designs throughout the development process. With these comprehensive methods, ISP GmbH provides detailed test reports to ensure that every sports hall maintains optimal safety and usability.

Quality Control for Sports Hall Flooring and Wall Systems

Quality control is essential to ensure that sports hall flooring and impact protection systems for walls meet stringent European and national standards. In Germany, certifications by organizations such as DIN CERTCO and the RAL Quality Assurance Association guarantee that manufacturers adhere to the necessary guidelines and technical requirements. These certifications, based on standards like DIN 18032-2, DIN 18032-3, and DIN 18200, involve rigorous factory production control, detailed testing, and regular third-party monitoring. The comprehensive quality control process—including initial tests, random sampling, and special inspections—ensures that even under competitive pressure, the products maintain high safety and performance levels.

ISP GmbH, as a recognized testing laboratory and member of the RAL Gütegemeinschaft Sporthallenböden e. V., offers expert testing and certification services to verify product compliance. Their officially valid test reports provide end users with the confidence needed for a successful market launch and sustained safety in sports facilities.

FIBA Certification for Basketball Sports Flooring

FIBA has established rigorous standards for sports hall flooring, defining two certification levels for basketball facilities. Level 1, reserved for professional and international competitions, permits only wooden or glass floors, while Level 2 allows other synthetic surfaces like PVC or polyurethane. These specifications cover critical factors such as force reduction, vertical deformation, vertical ball behavior, wear resistance, and friction characteristics. ISP GmbH, a FIBA-certified testing laboratory, offers both laboratory and on-site testing to verify compliance with these detailed guidelines.

Their comprehensive assessments ensure that sports halls not only meet DIN standards but also fulfill the additional FIBA requirements for safe and optimal play. Trust ISP GmbH to certify your sports flooring, guaranteeing a high-quality, competition-ready basketball environment.

Comprehensive Refurbishment Report for Sports Halls

Sports halls face continuous high stress, making regular refurbishment essential to maintain safety and functionality. ISP GmbH conducts thorough on-site inspections of sports hall flooring and impact protection systems to evaluate their current condition against prevailing standards. Our experts examine every layer—from the surface to the underlying components like insulation and underfloor heating—to determine what can be preserved and what requires replacement. Based on these findings, we provide a detailed refurbishment recommendation that outlines sustainable modernization measures and identifies potential cost savings.

The report also incorporates current legislative trends, such as microplastics regulations, to ensure that your facility remains compliant and future-proof. This comprehensive assessment gives you the planning certainly needed to deliver a safe, durable, and high-performance sports hall.

Expert Construction Advice for Sports Hall Floorings

Constructing sports hall floorings is a complex process that demands precision to ensure both safety and optimal performance. ISP GmbH provides specialized advice and support for every layer of the flooring system, from the moisture barrier and insulation to the flexible surface covering. Our interim on-site inspections catch defects early, preventing costly repairs and the need for premature renovations. We rigorously test individual materials to ensure compliance with all relevant standards and quality requirements. This proactive approach guarantees that both contractors and facility operators can rely on a durable, high-quality flooring system.

Trust ISP GmbH’s expertise to deliver a flawless sports hall flooring that meets diverse user needs and minimizes future maintenance issues.

Expert Opinions for Sports Hall Flooring

Expert opinions provide essential insights into the safety and performance of sports hall flooring, such as evaluating sliding friction properties to ensure athlete protection. They are commissioned in various contexts, including insurance claims, legal proceedings, and arbitration, to determine compliance with stringent standards. For example, an expert assessment can reveal whether the flooring contributed to an injury or meets regulatory requirements. Different types of opinions - party, court, decisive, or arbitration - serve specific roles in resolving disputes and establishing liability.

ISP GmbH leverages its extensive expertise to deliver comprehensive, legally sound expert opinions on sports hall facilities. By relying on these assessments, operators can confidently ensure that their sports halls remain safe, compliant, and fit for use.

We at ISP GmbH provide the following services:

  • Testing of your sports flooring products or your sports hall flooring to ensure that they meet the requirements of standards DIN 18032-1, 18032-2 and DIN EN 14904
  • Testing of your sports hall impact protection surface systems for walls product or your sports hall wall to ensure that they meet the requirements of standards DIN 18032-1, 18032-3 and DIN 18032-7
  • Testing of your sports hall ceiling product or your sports hall ceiling with regard to compliance with the requirements of standards DIN 18032-1 and 18032-3
  • Testing and certification of your sports hall flooring or impact protection surface systems for walls product according to the specifications of DIN Certco and the RAL quality association (quality mark 942)
  • Testing and certification of your sports flooring product and your sports hall flooring with regard to suitability as playing surfaces for basketball in accordance with FIBA regulations
  • Testing of your sports hall with regard to the state of renovation and modernisation requirements, including an inspection of the existing surface flooring
  • Preparation of expert opinions and other technical opinions and reports relating to your sports hall product for flooring and walls or your sports hall

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