Artificial turf maintenance is becoming increasingly important in 21^st century sport. From leisure centres and schools to top-level pitches, the benefits of artificial sports surfaces are recognised throughout the sports industry, and it is vital that these facilities are maintained to the correct standard to ensure that their full potential is realised. A programme of routine and specialist maintenance throughout the life of an artificial pitch can help to ensure its longevity and safety, as well as preserving its aesthetics and performance levels.

By way of illustration, the Rugby Football Union, Football Association and Football Foundation have identified in their Framework Agreement for the Provision of Artificial Grass Pitches that an improvement in the overall quality of surfaces at the community club level is integral to their future collective use of 3^rd Generation artificial turf pitches.

This Framework Agreement outlines the responsibility of artificial turf manufacturers to project manage the design, construction and ongoing maintenance of the new facilities. Within this, particular focus is given to the need for the pitches to satisfy certain performance criteria, to ensure a high standard of playing surface is provided to end users. From a maintenance perspective, manufacturers are required to identify the individual maintenance needs of each surface, based on determining factors including pitch size and projected usage levels.

But the responsibilities to maintenance do not end there; the Framework Agreement further stipulates that the programme of works must be reviewed regularly, and should be revised to reflect any changes in usage levels or pitch performance. In line with the overall emphasis on quality control, a suitable maintenance programme is deemed a pre-requisite to ensuring a pitch’s compliance with the Manufacturer’s Warranty.

The Framework Agreement represents real progress towards a greater understanding of the importance of regular and specialist maintenance to the longevity of an artificial sports surface, and reflects an industry-wide trend towards a re-evaluation of existing standards and conventions.

As the artificial sports surface industry continues along the path towards greater regulation and standardisation, interested parties – including SAPCA and SAPCA members, manufacturers, contractors and maintenance providers – are working together to deliver a clear, concise and, above all, consistent message when it comes to the specific maintenance requirements and aftercare programme a particular surface might require.

The warranty implications of carrying out incorrect or no maintenance are serving to promote a greater understanding amongst pitch owners and operators of the importance of a dedicated maintenance programme to the longevity of their artificial sports surface. The endorsement of maintenance by SAPCA and its members, as well as by sport’s top governing bodies such as the RFU, FA and Football Foundation, gives even greater authority to the message that has been espoused by Technical Surfaces for many years. On the continent, ESTO, the European Synthetic Turf Organisation, has also announced its intentions to raise the standards and enhance the quality of service for synthetic pitch aftercare.