STC Performance Guidelines & Testing Methods for Synthetic Turf Sports Surfaces

Welcome! Moderator: Craig Honkomp Senior Engineer Sportworks Field Design Cincinnati, Ohio Topics of Discussion

• Overview of the synthetic turf industry • Testing Methods for Synthetic Turf Sports Fields • Relevance of the STC’s Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance Panelist: John Baize President & Owner Act Global Austin, Texas Panelist: Alastair Cox Deputy CEO & Director of International Corporate Labosport International Derbyshire, United Kingdom Panelist: Matt Asbury Managing Director Labosport International Dalton, Georgia The STC’s Four Pillars of Strategic Priority

Growing the Promoting acceptance and growth of demand for synthetic turf synthetic turf market

Earning ongoing Providing support and neutral, science‐ participation of based industry our members guidelines Player Needs: The Main Driver for Quality Synthetic Turf In 2012, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) tracked sports injury data, and found that: • 1,353,750 children under the age of 19 were seen in the ER for sports‐related injuries. • The most common injuries are:  Sprains: 33%  Fractures: 18%  Bruises and Abrasions: 16%  Internal Organ Injuries including Concussions: 12% STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance • STC response to market questions on how to:  Objectively select the right surface  Improve quality and performance  Maintain and when to replace the surface • Encourages synthetic turf systems to:  Play like good quality natural turf  Minimize the risk of injury  Provide a consistent and durable sports field system Voluntary Guidelines

• ASTM International Standards  G‐max, product identification, and quality  ASTM International was known previously as the American Society of Testing & Materials • FIFA Quality Concept  Durability testing, with a wide‐range of natural grass benchmarks for sports performance and quality  FIFA is the international governing body for soccer • Scope of work: Infilled synthetic turf systems STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance • Provides an easy‐to‐implement format for bidding purposes Performance Guidelines ASTM F1936 Impact Attenuation (g‐max) Below 165 Below 165 Identification Guidelines FIFA 04 and FIFA 09 Shock Absorption 55% to 70% 60% to 70% 4mm to Test Method(s) Property Community Field Stadium Field FIFA 05 and FIFA 09 Vertical Deformation (foot stability) 4mm to 8mm 9mm ASTM D3218 Fiber Microns +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification FIFA 06 and FIFA 09 Rotational Resistance (traction) 25n to 50n 30n to 45n ASTM D5823 Pile Height +/‐ 1/8” of Specification +/‐ 1/8” of Specification

ASTM D5793 Stitch Gauge Same as Specification Same as Specification FIFA 07 Linear Friction—Deceleration 3.0g to 6.0g 3.0g to 5.5g

+/‐ 10% and no more than +/‐ 10% and no more than FIFA 07 Linear Friction—Slide 120 to 220 130 to 210 ASTM D5848 or Pile Weight minus 2 oz./sq. yd. of minus 2 oz./sq. yd. of FIFA/ISO 8543 FIFA 08 Skin Abrasion (dry) < 30% < 30% Specification Specification FIFA 08 Skin/Surface Friction (dry) 0.35 to 0.75 0.35 to 0.75 ASTM D5848 or Primary Backing +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification FIFA/ISO 8543 60cm to FIFA 01 and FIFA 09 Vertical Ball Rebound (soccer) 60cm to 85cm 100cm +/‐ 10% and no more than +/‐ 10% and no more than ASTM D5848 or Secondary Backing minus 2 oz./sq. yd. of minus 2 oz./sq. yd. of FIFA 02 Angled Ball Behavior (soccer) 45% to 70% 45% to 60% FIFA/ISO 8543 Specification Specification FIFA 03 Ball Roll (soccer‐specific) 4m to 10m 4m to 8m ASTM D5848 or Total Weight +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification FIFA/ISO 8543 Testing Frequency Guidelines FIFA/EN 1969 Infill Depth +/‐ 15% of Specification +/‐ 15% of Specification Pre‐purchase and as Pre‐purchase and as QC Client Requirements Laboratory Testing FIFA/EN 13041 Infill Bulk Density +/‐ 15% of Specification +/‐ 15% of Specification QC Measure Measure

ASTM F2765‐09 Lead Content Below 100ppm Below 100ppm Client Requirements Field Testing After Installation After Installation

Field Testing Client Requirements Every Four Years Every Year (follow‐up) Videos on Testing Methods

1. Lisport 2. Tuft Bind 3. Pile Weight ASTM D5848 4. G‐max 5. Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA) 6. Rotational Resistance 7. Field Planarity 8. Vertical Ball Rebound 9. Ball Roll Field Test Locations STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance: Identification Guidance • Identification guidance to make sure that you get the surface you specified • Maintaining proper infill depth is essential for field safety, performance, and durability Identification Guidelines Test Method(s) Property Community Field Stadium Field ASTM D1907 Fiber Denier +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification ASTM D3218 Fiber Microns +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification ASTM D5823 Pile Height +/‐ 1/8” of Specification +/‐ 1/8” of Specification ASTM D5793 Stitch Gauge Same as Specification Same as Specification +/‐ 10% and no more than minus 2 +/‐ 10% and no more than minus 2 ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543 Pile Weight oz./sq. yd. of Specification oz./sq. yd. of Specification ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543 Primary Backing +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% and no more than minus 2 +/‐ 10% and no more than minus 2 ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543 Secondary Backing oz./sq. yd. of Specification oz./sq. yd. of Specification ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543 Total Weight +/‐ 10% of Specification +/‐ 10% of Specification FIFA/EN 1969 Infill Depth +/‐ 15% of Specification +/‐ 15% of Specification FIFA/EN 13041 Infill Bulk Density +/‐ 15% of Specification +/‐ 15% of Specification ASTM F2765‐09 Lead Content Below 100ppm Below 100ppm STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance: Player Performance • Provides performance guidance to address the players’ needs and expectations

Performance Guidelines ASTM F1936 Impact Attenuation (g‐max) Below 165 Below 165 FIFA 04 and FIFA 09 Shock Absorption 55% to 70% 60% to 70% FIFA 05 and FIFA 09 Vertical Deformation (foot stability) 4mm to 9mm 4mm to 8mm FIFA 06 and FIFA 09 Rotational Resistance (traction) 25n to 50n 30n to 45n FIFA 07 Linear Friction—Deceleration 3.0g to 6.0g 3.0g to 5.5g FIFA 07 Linear Friction—Slide 120 to 220 130 to 210 FIFA 08 Skin Abrasion (dry) < 30% < 30% FIFA 08 Skin/Surface Friction (dry) 0.35 to 0.75 0.35 to 0.75 FIFA 01 and FIFA 09 Vertical Ball Rebound (soccer) 60cm to 100cm 60cm to 85cm FIFA 02 Angled Ball Behavior (soccer) 45% to 70% 45% to 60% FIFA 03 Ball Roll (soccer‐specific) 4m to 10m 4m to 8m STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance: Quality • Quality guidance on recommended industry tests for durability and quality Quality Guidelines Test Method(s) Property Community Field Stadium Field ASTM D1335 or ISO 4919 Tuft Bind (without infill) > 6.8 lbs. or 30N > 6.8 lbs. or 30N

Shock Absorption, Vertical Shock Absorption, Vertical Simulated Wear/Abrasion Deformation, Ball Rebound and Deformation, Ball Rebound and FIFA 09/EN 13672 Resistance Rotational Resistance—pass after Rotational Resistance—pass after 20,200 Lisport cycles 5,200 Lisport cycles

Artificial Weathering (3,000 hours FIFA/EN ISO 20105‐A02 > Gray Scale 3 > Gray Scale 3 UVA) Turf Color Change

Artificial Weathering (3,000 hours FIFA/EN 13864 Reduction of no more than 50% Reduction of no more than 50% UVA) Pile Yarn Tensile Strength

Artificial Weathering (3,000 hours FIFA/EN ISO 20105‐A02 > Gray Scale 3 > Gray Scale 3 UVA) Infill Color Change

<10mm difference over 3m <10mm difference over 3m FIFA/EN 13036 Surface Regularity straight edge straight edge

Surveyor’s level Slope < 1% < 1%

ASTM F1551 or FIFA/EN 12616 Water Permeability (after install) > 10 inches per hour > 10 inches per hour A Two Stage Assessment

Step One Step Two • Laboratory Tests • Field Tests  To assist architects and  Onsite quality assurance field owners to ensure tests to check that they select products manufacturing, of proven quality and construction and performance installation. Ongoing testing suggests to assess changes in performance Summary

• There are numerous quality assurance benefits to utilizing the STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance and proper lab and field testing • The most important driver is the need of the player • International research indicates that when field‐tested turf systems that fit within FIFA test methods, they have  Similar fatigue levels to natural grass o Measured by heart rate and blood lactate levels o 41% of injuries connected to fatigue/over use  Similar injury rates to natural grass STC’s Free Technical Guidelines

• Synthetic Turf Performance* • Essential Elements for Synthetic Turf Systems* • Maintenance of Infilled Synthetic Turf* • Removal, Recovery, Reuse & Recycling • Attracting Funding and Local Support • Buying Synthetic Grass for Landscape Use * Translated into Spanish How to Join the STC

• Apply online at www.syntheticturfcouncil.org • Special dues categories are available for:  Municipal officials, athletic directors, teachers, and students  Landscape architects, engineers, and synthetic turf consultants  Base contractors (no field construction)  Regional landscape and recreation installers Thank you for attending! Feel free to contact us:

www.syntheticturfcouncil.org [email protected] 400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1500 Atlanta, GA 30339 (678) 385‐6720