these Open Championship Clubs choose to relief grind - Pitchcare

Artificial Surfaces
“There is a
growing need for
those in charge of
artificial sports
pitches to record
total weekly and
monthly hours
of usage, as well
as logging all
maintenance
activities, to
ensure warranty
compliance”
56 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
the surface underfoot and, if overlooked
in the long term, could be considered a
contributory factor in players sustaining
injury.
Drag brushing alone does not address
this, so it is important that the artificial
pitch is swept using a rotary brush with
filtration systems, which lift and clean
the top layer of infill before returning it
to the carpet. This service should ideally
be carried out on a monthly basis to
complement the weekly in-house drag
brushing of the pitch. A more intense
clean should also be completed either
annually or, as a minimum, every second
year. Such processes are designed to get
much deeper into the carpet pile,
removing any dust, debris and brokendown
carpet fibres that have migrated
lower into the infill. Moss and weed
growth can also cause a potential slip
hazard for players, and must be treated
and removed on a regular basis.
When legal action is brought following
an accident on an artificial pitch,
documentation is often required to
demonstrate proof that repairs have been
completed, or else to show that the
■ Regular Sweeping ■ 3G Decompactions ■ Infill Top-Ups
■ Vegetation Treatments ■ Machinery & Equipment
■ Demonstrations & Training ■ Specialist Deep-Cleaning
■ Infill Extraction & Replacement ■ Line Marking ■ Repairs
“When legal action is brought following
an accident on an artificial pitch,
documentation is often required to
demonstrate proof that repairs have
been completed”
health & safety status of the facility has
been assessed regularly by a competent
third party. Detailed evaluations should
be conducted annually by an artificial
pitch maintenance specialist, to monitor
the factors affecting player performance
and pitch endurance, such as carpet pile
wear, infill levels and distribution, and
drainage capabilities.
It is also important to remember that
the safety status of an artificial pitch
extends beyond the playing surface itself,
to include any playing equipment,
perimeter fencing, surrounds and access.
For instance, goals should conform to the
relevant British standards, and it is the
responsibility of the facility operators to
ensure they are in good condition at all
times. A comprehensive assessment of
your facility should, therefore, include
advice on suitable anchorage for securing
goals in place, to prevent goalposts from
collapsing or toppling forwards and
causing serious injuries or even fatalities.
There is also a growing need for those
in charge of artificial sports pitches to
record total weekly and monthly hours of
usage, as well as logging all maintenance