Refurbishment report for synthetic surfaces in outdoor sports areas
Synthetic surfaces for outdoor sports areas tend to have a shorter lifespan than synthetic turf sports fields. In particular, spray-coated surfaces used for school and recreational sports frequently need to be refurbished within 15 years. Besides, certified athletics facilities eligible for use in competitions are no longer re-certified for top-level sport after a mere 12 years. This means that it is often necessary to replace the surface at an early stage. The advantage, however, is that the types of surfaces used in school and recreational sports facilities in particular can be renewed easily and at low cost. More difficult, however, – for facilities lacking a World Athletics certificate to set the limits – is determining when it is the right time to refurbish or replace the surface. And determining whether it is just the surface or also the underlying layers that need to be repaired or replaced as part of the modernisation. Moreover, the question arises as to whether water permeability (Types A-C) is still guaranteed.
To help you, as the operator, meet all these requirements, a refurbishment report for your sports field, as offered by ISP GmbH – Institut für Sportstättenprüfung, is the ideal solution. A site inspection is conducted by our specialists to evaluate the condition of your existing synthetic surfaced sports field, including the elastic layers. Based on the findings, they will be able to ascertain the need for refurbishment, derive options for further action and discuss these with you as the operator. Of course, all inspections are carried out in accordance with the prevailing standards and regulations that are currently in effect. A refurbishment report provides valuable planning certainty, saves costs and guarantees the longevity of the refurbished sports field. Furthermore, it helps to ascertain whether refurbishment is required at all at this particular point in time.
Inspection of the underlying layers
What does the refurbishment report entail? Among other things, it involves a comprehensive inspection of the sub-base. When replacing the synthetic surface for outdoor sports areas for the first time, it is possible that the underlying base layers can remain in place. Of course, this is only the case if they still meet the requirements of the relevant standards and guidelines. Therefore, it is imperative that the condition of the base layers and the entire system installed below the surface be meticulously examined.
Are the base layers damaged? Is proper drainage still ensured? Do the thickness and composition of the base layers still comply with the relevant standards? Have there been any alterations to the layers over time? And are the remaining components of the system even compatible with the new synthetic surface?
An inspection of the underlying layers will provide answers to all these questions. As the operator of a synthetic surfaced sports field, you do not need to worry that the inspection will compromise the functionality of the surface until the necessary refurbishments have been completed. The inspection will be carried out in a way that will ensure that the sports field can continue to be used afterwards without any restrictions (unless major damage is discovered that would jeopardise the safety of the athletes).
Mass balancing
Another component of the refurbishment report is mass balancing. The mass of the material to be disposed of must be determined for the disposal of end-of-life synthetic surfaces, which is usually an integral part of tenders today. By directly examining the condition of the surface, the amount of material to be disposed of can be estimated very accurately.
It has been observed that when an agreement is made with a company specialising in sports field recycling, the estimated quantity is often significantly lower than the actual requirement. As the operator, you should avoid this. The condition of the base layer is another factor that can cause problems during the recycling process. For instance, if many components of crushed stone and gravel have become incorporated into it over time, this may have a negative impact. Mass balancing provides a reliable picture of the condition, allowing the disposal and recycling process to be optimally planned.
Refurbishment recommendation
In addition to the results of the on-site inspections, the refurbishment report also contains a refurbishment recommendation. Based on the assessment of the synthetic surfaced sports ground condition, it identifies the necessary and recommended modernisation steps. Such a recommendation goes well beyond simply analysing the current condition. The specialists who carried out the inspections can also predict how the remaining elements of the synthetic surfaced outdoor sports ground will develop over the next few years until it is refurbished.
Problems that could necessitate further premature refurbishment can be identified at an early stage and possibly rectified during the upcoming modernisation. Current legislative developments or new market trends can also be included in the assessment. In the end, you will get not just an expert opinion, but also professional advice to ensure that the modernisation you are about to undertake is sustainable and in your best interests.
ServicesHave your products tested.
Before replacing your synthetic surface for outdoor sports areas, it is advisable to commission ISP GmbH – Institut für Sportstättenprüfung to prepare a refurbishment report. This will provide you with a professional assessment of the scope and necessity of modernisation. It involves assessing the condition of any remaining components of your synthetic surfaced sports area, estimating the volume of material that needs to be disposed of and providing recommendations for refurbishment.
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We will be happy to advise you on the procedure and background to testing synthetic surfaces.
Synthetic surfaces
| Sports | Test criteria |
|---|---|
| Athletics | Sports function |
| Basketball | Protective function |
| Hockey | Technical properties |
| Tennis | Environmental compatibility |