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STC Performance Guidelines & Testing Methods for Synthetic 

Turf Sports Surfaces

Welcome!

Moderator:Craig HonkompSenior Engineer Sportworks Field DesignCincinnati, 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 BaizePresident & OwnerAct GlobalAustin, Texas

Panelist:Alastair CoxDeputy CEO & Director of International CorporateLabosport InternationalDerbyshire, United Kingdom

Panelist:Matt AsburyManaging DirectorLabosport InternationalDalton, Georgia

The STC’s Four Pillars of Strategic Priority

Promoting growth of 

synthetic turf market

Providing neutral, science‐based industry guidelines

Earning ongoing support and 

participation of our members

Growing the acceptance and demand for synthetic turf

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

IdentificationGuidelinesTestMethod(s) Property CommunityField StadiumField

ASTMD3218 FiberMicrons +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

ASTMD5823 PileHeight +/‐ 1/8”ofSpecification +/‐ 1/8”ofSpecification

ASTMD5793 StitchGauge SameasSpecification SameasSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543

PileWeight+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543

PrimaryBacking +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543

SecondaryBacking+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543

TotalWeight +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

FIFA/EN1969 InfillDepth +/‐ 15%ofSpecification +/‐ 15%ofSpecification

FIFA/EN13041 InfillBulkDensity +/‐ 15%ofSpecification +/‐ 15%ofSpecification

ASTMF2765‐09 LeadContent Below100ppm Below100ppm

PerformanceGuidelinesASTMF1936 ImpactAttenuation(g‐max) Below165 Below165

FIFA04andFIFA09 ShockAbsorption 55%to70% 60%to70%

FIFA05andFIFA09 VerticalDeformation(footstability)4mmto9mm

4mmto8mm

FIFA06andFIFA09 RotationalResistance(traction) 25nto50n 30nto45n

FIFA07 LinearFriction—Deceleration 3.0gto6.0g 3.0gto5.5g

FIFA07 LinearFriction—Slide 120to220 130to210

FIFA08 SkinAbrasion(dry) <30% <30%

FIFA08 Skin/SurfaceFriction(dry) 0.35to0.75 0.35to0.75

FIFA01andFIFA09 VerticalBallRebound(soccer)60cmto100cm

60cmto85cm

FIFA02 AngledBallBehavior(soccer) 45%to70% 45%to60%

FIFA03 BallRoll(soccer‐specific) 4mto10m 4mto8m

TestingFrequencyGuidelines

ClientRequirements LaboratoryTestingPre‐purchaseandasQCMeasure

Pre‐purchaseandasQCMeasure

ClientRequirements FieldTesting AfterInstallation AfterInstallation

ClientRequirementsFieldTesting(follow‐up)

EveryFourYears EveryYear

Videos on Testing Methods

1. Lisport2. Tuft Bind3. Pile Weight ASTM D58484. G‐max5. Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA)6. Rotational Resistance7. Field Planarity8. Vertical Ball Rebound9. 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

IdentificationGuidelinesTestMethod(s) Property CommunityField StadiumField

ASTMD1907 FiberDenier +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

ASTMD3218 FiberMicrons +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

ASTMD5823 PileHeight +/‐ 1/8”ofSpecification +/‐ 1/8”ofSpecification

ASTMD5793 StitchGauge SameasSpecification SameasSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543 PileWeight+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543 PrimaryBacking +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543 SecondaryBacking+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

+/‐ 10%and nomorethanminus2oz./sq.yd.ofSpecification

ASTMD5848orFIFA/ISO8543 TotalWeight +/‐ 10%ofSpecification +/‐ 10%ofSpecification

FIFA/EN1969 InfillDepth +/‐ 15%ofSpecification +/‐ 15%ofSpecification

FIFA/EN13041 InfillBulkDensity +/‐ 15%ofSpecification +/‐ 15%ofSpecification

ASTMF2765‐09 LeadContent Below100ppm Below100ppm

STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance: Player Performance

• Provides performance guidance to address the players’ needs and expectations

PerformanceGuidelines

ASTMF1936 ImpactAttenuation(g‐max) Below165 Below165

FIFA04andFIFA09 ShockAbsorption 55%to70% 60%to70%

FIFA05andFIFA09 VerticalDeformation(footstability) 4mmto9mm 4mmto8mm

FIFA06andFIFA09 RotationalResistance(traction) 25nto50n 30nto45n

FIFA07 LinearFriction—Deceleration 3.0gto6.0g 3.0gto5.5g

FIFA07 LinearFriction—Slide 120to220 130to210

FIFA08 SkinAbrasion(dry) <30% <30%

FIFA08 Skin/SurfaceFriction(dry) 0.35to0.75 0.35to0.75

FIFA01andFIFA09 VerticalBallRebound(soccer) 60cmto100cm 60cmto85cm

FIFA02 AngledBallBehavior(soccer) 45%to70% 45%to60%

FIFA03 BallRoll(soccer‐specific) 4mto10m 4mto8m

STC Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Performance: Quality

• Quality guidance on recommended industry tests for durability and quality

QualityGuidelinesTestMethod(s) Property CommunityField StadiumField

ASTMD1335orISO4919 TuftBind(withoutinfill) >6.8lbs.or30N >6.8lbs.or30N

FIFA09/EN13672SimulatedWear/AbrasionResistance

ShockAbsorption,VerticalDeformation,BallReboundandRotationalResistance—passafter20,200Lisport cycles

ShockAbsorption,VerticalDeformation,BallReboundandRotationalResistance—passafter5,200Lisportcycles

FIFA/ENISO20105‐A02ArtificialWeathering(3,000hoursUVA)TurfColorChange

>GrayScale3 >GrayScale3

FIFA/EN13864ArtificialWeathering(3,000hoursUVA)PileYarnTensileStrength

Reductionofnomorethan50% Reductionofnomorethan50%

FIFA/ENISO20105‐A02ArtificialWeathering(3,000hoursUVA)InfillColorChange

>GrayScale3 >GrayScale3

FIFA/EN13036 SurfaceRegularity<10mmdifferenceover3mstraightedge

<10mmdifferenceover3mstraightedge

Surveyor’slevel Slope <1% <1%

ASTMF1551orFIFA/EN12616 WaterPermeability(afterinstall) >10inchesperhour >10inchesperhour

A Two Stage Assessment

Step One• Laboratory TestsTo assist architects and field owners to ensure that they select products of proven quality and performance

Step Two• Field TestsOnsite quality assurance tests to check manufacturing, construction and 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 levelso 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.orgoffice@syntheticturfcouncil.org400 Galleria Parkway, Suite 1500

Atlanta, GA 30339(678) 385‐6720