Attachment 5-Multipurpose Turf Maintenance Manual.pdf

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction p3 Why maintenance is a must p3 Protecting your field

Routine Maintenance p4 Inspections and minor repairs p4 Keeping the playing surface clean p5 Grooming and maintaining infill levels p6 Maintenance activity log

Semi-Annual, Annual & As Needed Maintenance p7 Situations requiring comprehensive maintenance p7 Types of comprehensive maintenance p8 Field rejuvenation

Special Circumstances p8 Field markings p8 Heavy rain p8 Snow and ice p8 Static Electricity p8 Stain Removal p9 Equipment Leal<s or Spills p9 Vehicle use p9 Concentrated heavy use protection

GENERAL CARE &

MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS

Introduction To malllm1Le the investment of an Xtreme Turf field. proper maintenance 1s essential. Where field owners fail to do the necessar} work on a regular basis. fields will start lo look ragged.

and performanc:e will decline. If fields arc not or insufficiently maintained. guarantees will become \Old and FIFA criteria (1f apµlicable) may no longer be met. We hope this booldet will give you a clear ovcrv1ev.. of the general act1vi\les required to maintain your Xtreme Turf held. Please note that these 111structions do not tal<e into account possible differences due to climatic circumstances and varied 111tens1ty of use. Where and if needed, additional instructions will be given individually by our local representative.

Protectrng Your Reid Overview

• Do not perform any ma111te11ance of other activity that ma} invalidate the \\arranly. Make sure 111 advance any maintenance CQl11pment. personnel. techniques. repairs and materials comply.

·Budget appro\imately one hour or 111spec\lon and maintenance for every 10 hours of playing time.

• Monitor the performance of your field throughout its useful life with periodic field testing and frequent inspections.

•The following may damage the Xtreme Turf: accidents.

vandalism. sp1l<ed shoes. animals, wire brushes. fires, fireworks. floods, lightning strikes, chemical reactions, the use of dry cleaning fluids or improper cleaning methods. high pressure sprays exceeding 500 psi, storage of heavy materials on the field. non-approved infill materials, and non approved artificial lights.

•Certa111 activities may damage the Xtreme Turf such as bicycle traffic. track and field events. golf activities. concerts. etc.

You may consider consult111g with a company that sells field protection.

•Suitable footwear should alwa}s be used. Metal spikes should be prohibited and cleats are preferred. Fial-soled rubber shoes greatly 111tens1f}1 the \~ear and tear on the S} nthetic turf.

• Perform routme 1nspect1ons. repairs and maintenance. as well as more extens111e field rejuvenation. on an as needed basis.

• It is very important to spread the field use to various locations on the field to prevent uneven or accelerate wear in certa111 areas.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

The basic components of effective. routine maintenance include the following. These should be performed on a daily. weekly and/ or monthly basis. depending on the level of use.

•Inspections and minor repairs to avoid playing hazards.

• Keep the playing surface clean and free of debris and contaminants.

•Groom the surface to preserve appearance. l<eep grass fibers upright. and maintain recommended and even infill levels.

•Maintain a detailed maintenance and activity log.

Inspections & Minor Repairs

It is imperative to report any field damage immediately, and repair quickly to avoid an escalating problem.

Safety Hazards To avoid permanent damage or safety hazards, check regularly for and address such critical items as foreign debris. low infill levels.

open seams. deteriorating grass fiber. drainage concerns. etc.

High Use Areas Pay special attention to the most heavily used areas (goal mouths.

corner areas. etc.) and add new infill or redistribute infill to the recommended depth.

Seams and Joints Check seams and joints where panels or field markings are joined together. Open joints can create a tripping hazard and should be immediately repaired. An open joint of 12 inches in length or less may not be an indication of seam failure-discuss with your field builder in advance for self-repair techniques and if self-repairs are recommended. Note that open joints of greater than 12 inches in length should be reported to and reviewed with your field builder.

Keep The Playing Surface Clean Remove Waste Remove all waste items. organic materials and contaminants on a regular basis. Every loose foreign object. no matter how small. can damage your Xtreme Turf by abrading the fibers and/ or contaminating the infil l. Leaves and other debris can eventually migrate into the system, inhibiting drainage and causing infi ll compaction. Animal waste can encourage the growth of algae, weed or moss growth. Brushing will help deter organic growth. as will the use of approved fungicides and antibacterial treatments.

Food and Beverage Don't allow food. sodas. chewing gum, sunflower seeds. chewing tobacco. smoking. etc. on the l1eld. Set up drinks for pla}ers off of the field. if possible. Pr0\1de ample trash and litter containers on site.

Chemicals and other liquids Do not use cleaning chemicals containing alcohol or acetone sol\ ents. Tal<e care to a\ 01d spilling an} petroleum-based liquids including fuel onto the surface.

• Post sign age and rules for the use of the field to a\ oid contamination and damage.

•If the field 1s 111 a flood plain, cover it at the threat of flooding with a tarp designed to l1m1t silt and debris from contaminating the field surface.

•Route field access trafric in such a way as to minimize the tracl<ing of mud and dirt onto the field.

Groom The Surface & Maintain Infill Levels

Regular brushing helps to maintain uniform infill levels. keep the grass fibers upright. remove debris. and impro\e the field appear ance and long·term performance.

Keep In Mind:

• Infill should be about 15mm below the fiber tips.

•Improper mlill levels or compacted 111hll can lead to high g-max levels and safety concerns.

•High use areas are prone to greater infi ll displacement.

•Brushing. drag mats and proper rakes can help redistribute infill evenly.

•Infill may accumulate at the edges of a field. If so, clean the material prior to brushing back into the main field.

•Using an infill depth gauge or a nail and tape measure on a grid pattern 1s the preferred way to measure infill depth and consistency.

Equipment Use a static brush for general infill leveling and to stand up the grass fibers. /\ mechanical sweeper or other specialty synthetic turf cleantng equipment should be used to remove surface debris.

Do not use maintenance equipment before receiving proper use and safety tra111mg. Use onl} synthetic fiber bristles, not metal or wire bristles. Do not use 6-wheel vehicles.

Method & Direction Using an average all-purpose vehicle, l<eep speed low and avoid sharp turns. It is most effective to brush the surface when it Is dry.

The surface should be brushed in a number or directions.

alternating the direction in consecutive activities. but generally in the direction or the ind1v1dual panels to avoid crossing over the main seams. On different days. start at different locations so as to alternate the brushing direction for each panel.

6 Maintenance Guidelines

Brush Height Setting The optimum brush height setting will depend on the model and type of equipment, but will generally work best when the brush ba1ely touches the tips of the tu1 r. Do not set the brush so low that it digs 111to the turf pile or bacl<1ng.

Frequencies In general. the frequency will be related to the mtens1ty of use:

110wever. excessive brushing can cause fiber damage which over time will compromise the field's performance characteristics and longevity. (See maintenance schedule 011 following page.)

Maintenance Activity Log

Keep a maintenance activity log containing the following information:

•Type of activity that takes place on the field

• Estimated number of hours the field is used per week

•Average number of part1c1pants per hour

•Type of maintenance activity performed

• Remarks/Notes

•Signature of maintenance supervisor

Playing hours per week:

Suggested < 10 hrs 10 ·20 hrs 20-30hrs 30 ·40hrs Reason:

Maintenance Work Liller removal daily daily

Refilling heavily weekly weekly used areas

Brushing heavily weekly weekly used areas

Total surface brushing every 2 weeks every 2 weeks

Leaves, twigs, moss. weekly weekly weed removal

Seams inspection monthly monthly

Specialist maintenance yearly yearly (or as needed)

The above maintenance schedule is meant to assist in clarifying how the number of playing hours influences maintenance needs.

SEMI-ANNUAL, ANNUAL

&ASNEEDED

Situations Requiring Comprehensive Maintenance daily daily weekly weekly weekly monthly every 6 months

Over time. the following situations may arise which will require the need for more comprehensive maintenance:

•Grass fibers become significantly bent, creased and flat.

•The playing surface becomes hard and compacted. While common to in filled systems. this impacts the players and also can create drainage issues.

•Dirt. debris and metal accumulate on or within the system despite routine maintenance.

•Seams become loose or panels shift creating a safety hazard.

•Infill levels become uneven. particularly in high wear areas.

such as in front of soccer goals.

daily Avoid damage by paper. bottles. chewing gum, athletic tap and such.

daily Keep rubber infill even and at the right level.

daily Keep fibres in the optimum upright position.

weekly Keep surface in perfect condition.

weekly Avoid pollution and beginning compaction.

monthly Avoid field damage by faulty seams.

every 6 Maintain playing properties and months performance.

Types of Comprehensive Maintenance

Comprehensive maintenance may include the use of specialty maintenance equipment by trained professionals. Depending upon the situation, the following actions may be performed:

Professlonal Aeld Inspection & Corrective Action Assess the field surface. identify weak or loose seams and inlays, and repair the damage. Sport performance testing may also be desirable.

Decompactlon Of Infill Infill decompaclion is important for improving shocl< absorption and synthetic turf drainage. Use only equipment specially designed for this purpose.

Restore Infill levels Infill levels may decrease due to a variety of reasons-wind.

storms, or may leave the field on players clothing or shoes-and over time the levels may need to be replenished. Replacement infill should meet the field's specifications.

Metal Removal Use a magnet attached to your maintenance equipment to remove ferrous metal objects from the field.

Weed & Pest Treatment Treat with herbicides or pesticides, as required.

Field Rejuventation

Field rejuvenation is a deep compaction and deep cleaning of your field's.infill. and should be performed on an as needed basis. As fields mature. the accumulation of unwanted or foreign contami· nants is inevitable. especially deep within the infill layer. Events.

such as flooding or dust storms, may introduce extreme levels or contamination. When a field begins to show signs of deep compac tion. such as high g-max readings or significant drainage issues.

full field rejuvenation may be desired. These maintenance services are performed using specialized field rejuvenation equipment and personnel and may include:

•Removal of the vast majority of dirty and contaminated infill to get rid of embedded foreign matter that has contaminated the infill system

•Untangling matted and compacted fibers

•A combination of cleaning of the original infill and/or re-installation of new infill

•Removal of dust. debris and application of a disinfectant to treat for bacteria. if the original infill will be processed and cleaned

•Use special equipment that combines mechanical brushing, suction. and an infill return system to remove surface debris and embedded contaminants.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Reid Markings Temporary paints can be used if formulated specifically for synthetic turf. Ideally. paint should be applied only to the turf fibers, and not into the infill: although this will not be possible if infill levels are too high. Remove and reappl}' paint after a maximum of four applications to avoid build-up. Service companies with specialized equipment are available that can paint and remove lines. logos. end zones. graphics. etc.

Heavy Rain If significant ponding occurs after heavy rainfall. it may be an indication of a variety of factors. such as clogged or damaged underground drain pipes or discharge outlets. base unevenness.

debris in the infill. or Infill surface tension. For infill surface tension, a surfactant or laundry fabric softener can be used to breal< the surface tension allowing the turf to drain.

Snow& Ice Generally snow and ice should be left to melt and drain off the system without assistance. If the sun is out and the ice or frost is not excessive, it tends to melt rapidly, especially when players are on the field.

At times. however. it is necessary to remove snow or ice to make the field playable for a scheduled event. The working principle for removing snow is to do so as near game time as possible. Use only pneumatic tires on equipment used for the removal of snow and ice. If a snow plow is used. make sure the blade is guarded with PVC pipe and corner elbows or rubber tips, and the height is adjusted lo leave 1/ 4-1h" inch of snow on the surface. The remain ing snow should be left to melt in the sunlight as brushing the re maining snow may also remove the infill. Avoid using a tarp on the field during freezing weather. Tarps. unless vinyl or poly-coated, can freeze to the surface. and will be very difficult to remove.

In some cases it may be necessary to use a weighted lawn roller over the field to break up ice. The broken ice can then be swept off the field.

Static Electriclty Surfactants like liquid laundry fabric softeners can reduce static electricity.

Stain Removal Most stains can be removed easily with a solution of hot. but not boiling. water and a mild household detergent. Brush the stain with a stiff bristle brus11. scrub the area with soap and water. rinse with clean water. and pat dry.

Equipment Leaks or Spills Prevent leaks or spills by checking equipment and its components thoroughly before use on turf; do not fill fuels, oils, fluids while equipment is on the field. Wipe any excess grease from any/all fittings.

Hydraulic fluid: Petroleum-based spills can damage the synthetic turf. Use only the newer biodegradable fluids. ii available for }'Our equipment-don't use petroleum-based fluids. If a leak occurs when using petroleum-based fluids. use spill leal< towels to soak up the majority of the fluid. Vacuum out the infill in the affected area, use a solution of household dishwashing liquid and water to break down and clean any remaining fluid from the turf. Once the turf is clean, you will need to install new infill.

Moior oil: See above.

Gasoline and diesel: Don't fill equipment while it is on the turf.

Do not overfill. Use a catch pan while filling to prevent accidental spillage.

Grease: Use grease sparingly and wipe any excess off of all fit· tings. bearings, chains. etc.

Vehicles

· Do not park vehicles on the field. especially in the heat of the day. or leave vehicles on a wet or hot field for long periods of time.

•Engine exhausts should not be faced down toward the playing field. and a hot muffler or exhaust pipe should not toucl1 the surface.

•Use lighter vehicles with LGP (Low Ground Pressure) tires with round edges to prevent rutting. Do not use cleated or traction tires.

•Heavy vehicles (over 300 pounds) should have a maximum tire pressure of 35 psi.

• Mal<e wide, not sharp, turns. and only when the vehicle is in motion. All vehicles should move at slow speeds. Avoid abrupt and sudden bral<ing. as well as sudden acceleration or spinning of the wheels. especially on wet surfaces.

•All vehicles must be checked before use on the field to determine if they are leaking oil or gas. If so. they should be repaired before entry onto the field.

Concentrated Heavy Use Projection

Stages and Special Events Stage or other set-ups for special events or activities, such as graduations, are normal. Proper field protection or the synthetic turf must be provided to prevent damaging it. Use plywood, interlocl<ing plastic panels or similar weight distributing materials under all chairs and tables- consult the field builder or a field protection company. Use field protection that does not have a dimensional profile. e.g .. corrugation, because the profile will transfer onto the turf and require heavy grooming to remove. No anchoring spil<es. posts or footing should be driven into the turf.

Once the field protection is removed. the area should be groomed and swept with a magnet to remove any misplaced or dropped nails, screws, etc.

Helicopter Landings Helicopter landings may be necessary to remove an injured player, for example and the rotor wash will likely cause infill to be displaced. As soon as possible evaluate the area and groom or brush as needed.

Protecting During Renovations Protect the synthetic turf as needed with approved tarps when nearby renovations, e.g .. running track recoats or installations.

cleaning or painting of bleachers, construction or repairs to lighting, renovations of adjacent natural turf fields. etc .. may cause harm to the synthetic turf. Contact the field builder for a protection recommendation. Improper p lastic protection will cause heat damage.