Harrow Fields Gardens Estate Company Ltd

Harrow Fields Gardens Estate Company Ltd.

HILTERN SPORTS ONTRACTORS CCLIMITED

SCHEDULE AND GUIDANCE NOTES

FOR THE

MAINTENANCE OF THE TENNIS COURT

Registered Office: The Heights, 59 Lowlands Road, Harrow, Middlesex Registered in England: Number 1575639

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 1 of 6 13th July 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION...... 3 2 SUMMARY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE...... 3 2.1 AS REQUIRED...... 3 2.2 WEEKLY...... 3 2.3 MONTHLY...... 3 2.4 QUARTERLY...... 3 2.5 ANNUALLY...... 3 3 MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS...... 3 3.1 FOOTWEAR...... 3 3.2 MACHINERY...... 3 3.3 SMOKING...... 4 3.4 PETROL, OIL OR SOLVENTS...... 4 4 MAINTENANCE DETAILS...... 4 4.1 SWEEPING THE COURT...... 4 4.1.1 Risk...... 4 4.1.2 Removal...... 4 4.1.3 Alternative Removal Methods...... 4 4.2 BIRD DROPPINGS...... 4 4.2.1 Risk of Bird Droppings...... 4 4.2.2 Prevention of Bird Droppings...... 4 4.2.3 Removal of Bird Droppings...... 4 4.3 WEEDS...... 5 4.3.1 Risk of Weeds...... 5 4.3.2 Treatment of Weeds...... 5 4.3.3 Removal of Weeds...... 5 4.4 MOSS...... 5 4.4.1 Risk of Moss...... 5 4.4.2 Treatment of Moss...... 5 4.4.3 Removal of Moss...... 5 4.5 COURT PERIMETER...... 5 4.5.1 Risk...... 5 4.5.2 Removal...... 5 4.6 SNOW AND ICE...... 6 4.6.1 Risk of Snow and Ice...... 6 4.6.2 Removal of Snow and Ice...... 6

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 2 of 6 13th July 2009 1 INTRODUCTION This manual has been prepared from the guidelines provided by Chiltern Courts. It contains all information necessary for the general maintenance of the court by the gardening contractors. In view of the investment in the repair of the court, the gardeners are expected to follow the relevant instructions and treat the court maintenance as a priority task. The original document is available, in hard or soft copy, if required. 2 SUMMARY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE The basic cycle of maintenance is below. Supporting details are included in the subsequent sections of the manual.

2.1 AS REQUIRED Sweep away leaves and debris if interfering with play (tennis court users)

2.2 WEEKLY Vacuum/sweep away any debris (e.g. leaves, tree flowers, pine needles, fluff from tennis balls, etc.) from the court Hose away bird droppings Treat any weeds or moss (on court and court perimeter) Health and Safety check (by HFGEC Tennis Committee)

2.3 MONTHLY Bird repellent treatment (by HFGEC Tennis Committee)

2.4 QUARTERLY Health and Safety certification (by Chiltern Sports)

2.5 ANNUALLY Power clean and equipment maintenance check (by Chiltern Sports)

3 MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS

3.1 FOOTWEAR Maintenance workers must follow the same footwear guidelines as players (see the sign on gate)

3.2 MACHINERY Any machinery used on the court should be placed on a piece of plywood or similar protection. Failure to do so can lead to a damaged surface

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 3 of 6 13th July 2009 3.3 SMOKING This is banned for players and any maintenance work as burns can leave unsightly marks

3.4 PETROL, OIL OR SOLVENTS Petrol, oil or solvent spillage will damage the surface. Any machinery used in the court, e.g. vacuum cleaner or blower, must be in good repair and therefore will not drip petrol or oil. Never fill a machine with petrol or oil within the court to avoid the risk of spillage

4 MAINTENANCE DETAILS

4.1 SWEEPING THE COURT The court should be swept or vacuumed at least once a week

4.1.1 Risk Leaves, tree flowers, pine needles, fluff from tennis balls and other detritus should not be allowed to remain on the surface for any length of time. If this happens they rapidly rot down and settle into the pores of the surface impairing drainage and providing a growing medium for algae and moss.

4.1.2 Removal The best method is to use a mechanical garden vacuum cleaner which will greatly speed up the operation and do it more efficiently. Mechanical leaf sweepers can also be good. The equipment should be well maintained and carefully operated to avoid contamination of or physical damage to the surface

4.1.3 Alternative Removal Methods As an alternative or for ad hoc cleaning before playing, a wide soft broom can be used to sweep the surface but this has a tendency to push smaller material into the surface. A rubber-tined rake is usually better, although slow and arduous.

4.2 BIRD DROPPINGS Bird droppings should be cleared as soon as possible

4.2.1 Risk of Bird Droppings Bird droppings adhere to the surface, dry out in warm weather and shrink. In the process the paint coating and even stone chippings may be pulled off. This is more significant in the first one or two years of the court's use.

4.2.2 Prevention of Bird Droppings A - Overhanging branches Cut back wherever practical These also cause water dripping which leads to discoloured or slippery patches, encourage moss and algae in the shade and aphid secretions which leave a sticky black substance that impacts foothold and again encourages algae growth. B- Gate Apply bird repellent gel or place bird spikes on.

4.2.3 Removal of Bird Droppings Hosing the droppings away is better than scraping as it should avoid damaging the surface

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 4 of 6 13th July 2009 Damaged spots where the surface has been disturbed should be carefully firmed with the foot and touched up with surface paint

4.3 WEEDS Weeds should be dealt with promptly to avoid the roots becoming established and damaging the court

4.3.1 Risk of Weeds Although general weedkiller is applied to the site before repair, it cannot guarantee the removal of highly resistant weeds. Also, wind blown seeds can cause new weeds to grow on the porous surface.

4.3.2 Treatment of Weeds A - Grass Weeds and Seedlings Apply a paraquat based weed killer such as "Weedol". The weeds will scorch, shrivel and die B - Deep Rooted Weeds (thistles, bindweed, tree suckers, etc) Apply a systemic weedkiller such as "Tumbleweed"

4.3.3 Removal of Weeds When the weeds are dead they can be removed but care is needed to avoid disturbing the surface of the court. A narrow bladed knife may be useful for cutting think weed stems below the surface. If the weed has lifted the surface, it must be carefully trodden down with the flat of th foot once the weed has died

4.4 MOSS Moss should be dealt with as soon as possible with a suitable moss killer

4.4.1 Risk of Moss Moss is a health and safety risk because it is so slippery. It also impacts the court drainage.

4.4.2 Treatment of Moss Patches of moss should be treated with a non-oil based moss killer such as "Batimoss" Only one application is usually necessary, but it will help if any very heavy growth is removed by sweeping or hosing before application so that it can be absorbed by the roots. Oil-based moss killers must not be used

4.4.3 Removal of Moss Moss should never be scraped from the court surface

4.5 COURT PERIMETER A strip of ground at least two feet around the edge of the fence should be kept clear of vegetation at all times, i.e. plants, flowers, weeds, grass etc.

4.5.1 Risk Without a barrier, plants and weeds can encroach on the playing surface and cause damage or additional maintenance work. Also, leaves will blow on to the court if plants are very close.

4.5.2 Removal A suitable weed killer can be applied (see “Weeds” above)to

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 5 of 6 13th July 2009 4.6 SNOW AND ICE

4.6.1 Risk of Snow and Ice Snow and ice present a health and safety risk to the players as the court will become slippery. The ball will also not bounce correctly

4.6.2 Removal of Snow and Ice A - Melting Snow and ice should not prove harmful and can be allowed to melt through in due course. B - Sweeping Powdery snow can be swept away using a wide soft broom or wooden scraper. C – Banned methods of removal The following must not be used  Metal Shovels or Scraper These may damage the surface, as will mechanical snow removing equipment i.e. mini tractors, etc.  Salt or De-Icing Agents These MUST not be used as their effect is unpredictable and they can cause severe damage.

Tennis Court Maintenance v1 Page 6 of 6 13th July 2009