YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
The accompanying maintenance service extends the working life and allows significant cost savings to be achieved.
Maintenance of value through quality assurance: The construction of outdoor sports facilities with synthetic surfaces is carried out according to DIN standard 18035/6. This standard includes requirements, testing and test procedures. Requirements on a PU surface, for example, include, among others, the coefficient of dynamic friction, environmental compatibility and ageing. In addition, it is differed between sport, protective and technical functioning of the surface. This is intended to avoid risks through stressing of the muscular-skeletal system and over-high energy consumption as well as reducing the risk of injury from falls. Quality levels of the installed synthetic surfaces are approved as per RAL, German Institute for Quality Assurance and Marking, (Deutsche Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e. V.).
Maintenance and renovation: As a rule, synthetic surfaces are made up of an elastic and a top, wearing layer. In order to maintain the surface in the long term, the wearing surface must be renewed when necessary. During a partial renovation, cracks and other damage is repaired by Polytan. Remarking of lines should be carried out every 5 – 10 years. A complete renovation is determined by requirements and is carried out by Polytan according to the latest standards.
Care and maintenance: At least once a year dry cleaning must be carried out with a rotating, front-sweeping cleaning machine, brushes or a leaf blower. All 2 – 3 years the surface should be wet cleaned with a high pressure hose or a rotation brush. This gives the surface layer a better grip and makes it less slippery. In addition, coarse dirt such as leaves, cut grass, chewing gum etc. should be removed regularly. Repair work such as remarking of faded lines or replacement of damaged parts e.g. faulty long-jump take-off boards can be carried out by Polytan.
Care and renovation of synthetic turf
Artificial turf is capturing the world of ball sports. Factors such as covered stadiums, high energy costs, multiple uses, 24-hour playability, etc. are promoting the success of this sport surface. Since March 1, 2005 synthetic turf has been approved by both the UEFA and FIFA as a playing surface for football games up to national and international levels.
Maintenance of value and repair: The following recommendations apply for football and hockey pitches as well as other kinds of synthetic turf. They provide general insights into the care and renovation of synthetic turf pitches. The large number of different systems, however, require individual care procedures which cannot be described in detail here.
With the passing of time, synthetic turf is exposed to a variety of negative influences from factors such as wear, dust, dirt and pollutants in the air. Regular and early care of the system contributes to conservation of its value which is guaranteed by different maintenance measures for the individual systems.
General maintenance procedures include regular removal of surface dirt and checking of the lines and seams as well as continual care of the edge zones and external areas. Sharp objects, oil, fuel and chewing gum must be removed immediately. Grass fibres of sand/rubber filled systems must be brushed and realigned using Polytan rotating front-sweeping machines or an ACS (anti-compaction system). Use of a Polytan ACS machine also ensures loosening of the granulate. Granulate and sand should be redistributed as required. In-depth cleaning with a Polytan “Hörger” machine should be carried out regularly, depending on the amount of dirt. In winter, snow should be removed to a maximum depth of 2cm. Maximum loading limits for cleaning vehicles also apply for synthetic turf.
Regular, timely cleaning significantly extends the working life of the sports surface and ensures long-term maintenance of value and sport-functional properties of the playing surface with a minimum outlay. Polytan provides its customers with information on environmentally compatible and inexpensive cleaning procedures. With appropriate care and maintenance as well as quick repair and renovation work, Polytan surfaces have an extremely long working life.
