ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES FOR RUGBYperformance standards and design guides for community use pitches and training areas
1 Introduction 42 Howshouldthisperformancestandardbeused? 53 Artificialgrasspitchesforrugby- 6 performancestandardsanddesignguidesforcommunity usepitchesandtrainingareas3.1 Normativereferences 63.2 Laboratorytestspecimens 73.3 Player/surfaceinteraction 73.4 Ball/surfaceinteraction 83.5 Durability 93.6 Propertiesofartificialgrasscarpet 93.7 Jointstrength 103.8 Resistancetoweatheringandageing 103.9 Toxicity 104 Constructionrequirements 115 Pitchassessments 126 Designguidelines 127 References 148 Recommendedpitchdimensions 159 Artificialgrassrugbypitch-FieldTestReport 17 AppendixA-FieldTestReportForm 18
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, any party who makes use of any part of this document in the development of an artificial grass pitch shall indemnify the Irish Rugby Football Union, its servants, consultants or agents against all claims, proceedings, actions, damages, costs, expenses and any other liabilities for loss or damage to any property, or injury or death to any person that may be made against or incurred by the Irish Rugby Football Union arising out of or in connection with such use.
3
Thedevelopmentofartificialgrasssurfacesthatreplicatetheplayingqualitiesofgoodqualitymaterialgrasshasstimulatedmuchinterestinthegamesofrugbyandfootball.Thesesurfaces,oftendescribedaslongpile(orthirdgeneration)artificialgrass,haveamuchlongerpilethanthepreviouslyusedsandfilledsurfacesandarenormallypartlyfilledwithrubberorrubberandsandmixes.
Theimprovedqualitiesofthesenewsurfaceshavebeenrecognisedbytheinternationalgoverningbodiesofrugbyunionandfootballandtheyhaveeachamendedtheirrulestoallowtheuseofartificialgrasspitchesintheircompetitions.
Toensurepitcheshavethedesiredplayingcharacteristicsandprovidethenecessarylevelsofplayerprotection,theseinternationalgoverningbodieshavespecifiedtheperformancetheyrequirefromartificialgrasspitches.Theirstandardsare:
• IRBPerformanceSpecificationforArtificialSurfacesforRugby-Regulation22(henceforthreferredtoas‘IRBRegulation22’).
• FIFAQualityConceptforArtificialTurfSurfaces.
Manyartificialgrasspitchesare,however,usedbymorethanonesportandthiscanleadtocompromisesinthecharacteristicsoftheplayingsurface.Recognisingthesynergybetweensports,theIRFUhaspreparedthisperformancestandardandguideformulti-useartificialgrasspitches.ThestandardisbasedontherequirementsoftheIRBandFIFAstandards,modifiedtoreflectthemulti-usenatureofthepitch.Itdetailshowapitchshouldperform(player/surfaceinteractionandball/surfaceinteraction);italsospecifiesrequirementsfortheartificialgrasssurfacing(durability,construction,etc);finally,itspecifiesrequirementsforthedesignandconstructionofpitches.SurfaceandpitchessatisfyingthisstandardwillalsosatisfyIRBRegulation22.
1Introduction
4
2Howshouldthisperformancestandardbeused?Mostartificialgrasspitchesareobtainedusingdesignandbuildtypesofcontract.Inthisformofcontract,thedeveloperspecifieswhattheyrequireandthecontractorpreparesadesigntosatisfythebrief.Toensuredualusemulti-usepitchesaredesignedtoperforminaccordancewithIRFUrecommendations,thedesignbriefshouldstatethatthesystemofartificialgrasssurfacingandtheconstructionofthepitchshouldbeinaccordancewiththisstandard.
ThefollowingflowchartshowsthevariousstepsthatarerequiredtofullycomplywiththisStandard.
TheARTIFICIALgRASSSURFACeISSUBJeCTeDToInDePenDenTLABoRAToRyASSeSSMenTInACCoRDAnCewIThThISSTAnDARD.onCoMPLeTIonoFASATISFACToRyTeSTPRogRAMMe,TheLABoRAToRyPRePAReSATeSTRePoRTFoRTheMAnUFACTUReR.
AnARTIFICIALgRASSSURFACeISDeveLoPeDByTheMAnUFACTUReR.
TheLABoRAToRyTeSTRePoRTISSenTByTheSURFACeMAnUFACTUReRToTheIRFUASevIDenCeoFCoMPLIAnCewIThIRBRegULATIonS.
TheIRIShRUgByFooTBALLUnIon.
ThePITChISgRAnTeDAPPRoveDSTATUS.
TheFACILITyoPeRAToRPRePAReSAPRoJeCTSPeCIFICATIon/DeSIgnBRIeFBASeDonThISSTAnDARD.
PoTenTIALConTRACToRSSUBMITDeSIgnPRoPoSALSFoRThePITCh,InCLUDIngPRooFoFThePRoPoSeDARTIFICIALgRASSSURFACe’SABILITyToMeeTTheLABoRAToRyReQUIReMenTSSTaNdaRd.
AConTRACToRISAPPoInTeDAnDThePITChBUILT.
THePITCHISTeSTedINACCoRDAnCewIThTheFIeLDTeSTReQUIReMenTSoFTheSTAnDARDFoLLowIngConSTRUCTIon.
TheFIeLDTeSTRePoRT(SeeAPPenDIxA)ISSenTToTheIRFUByTheFACILITyoPeRAToRwIThInoneMonThoFISSUe.
ThePITChISRe-TeSTeDeveRyTwoyeARS.
5
3.1 Normative referencesIRB Regulation 22 refers to a number of test methods that are currently still under development by organisations such as the European Standards Organisation (CEN). As these test methods may be revised during the development of the European Standards, this standard refers to the editions available at the time of publication. These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text. Subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications will apply to this standard only when incorporated into it by amendment or revision.
The designation to FIFA refers to test method details in FIFA’s Quality Concept Handbook of Test Methods for Football Turf, March 2006.
The designation to UEFA refers to a test method detailed in Section 2 of UEFA’s manual, Artificial Grass in UEFA Competitions, Requirements and Recommendations, 2002.
3.2 Laboratory test specimens
3.2.1 Unbound basesIf the artificial grass surface incorporates an unbound base construction that is designed to contribute to the dynamic properties of the surface, laboratory measurements of football rebound, football pace, shock absorption, vertical deformation and HIC shall be made on the artificial grass, shockpad (if applicable) and a depth of unbound base of at least 100mm or the depth stated by the manufacturer to influence the performance, whichever is greater.
6
3Artificialgrasspitchesforrugby-performancestandardsanddesignguidesforcommunityusepitchesandtrainingareas
Iftheunboundbaseisnotdesignedtocontributetothedynamicpropertiesofthesurface,laboratorymeasurementsmaybemadewiththeartificialgrasssurfacelaidonaconcretebase.Testsforrotationalresistance,slidingdistance,slipresistanceandballroll/velocitychangemaybemadewiththeartificialgrasssurfacelaidonamacadam,concreteorunboundbase,subjecttomanufacturer’sapproval.
3.2.2 Engineered basesIftheartificialgrasssurfaceisintendedforinstallationonanengineeredbase,laboratorymeasurementsmaybemadeonamacadamorconcretebase,subjecttothemanufacturer’sapproval.
3.2.3 Preparation of laboratory test specimensTestspecimensshallbepreparedstrictlyinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.Theseshouldbedetailedinthetestreport.Followingpreparation,thespecimensforsportandplayer/surfaceinteractiontestsshouldbeconditionedusingtheproceduredetailedintheFIFAQualityConcepthandbookofTestMethodsforFootballTurf.
3.2.4 Laboratory test conditionsLaboratorytestsshallbeundertakenatatemperatureof23C+/-2C.Testspecimensshallbeconditionedatthetesttemperatureforatleast3hourspriortothetest.
3.2.5Foralltestsotherthanballroll,wettestspecimensshouldbeproduced,byevenlyapplyingtothetestpiece,avolumeofwaterthatisequaltothevolumeofthetestspecimen.Thesampleshallbeallowedtodrainfor15minutesandthetestcarriedourwithinafurther5minutes.Forballrolltestspecimens,thesampleshallbesaturatedusingahosesupplyorwateringcan,takingcaretoensureanyinfillisnotdisturbedandbeallowedtodrainfor15minutes,withthetestbeingcarriedoutwithinafurther15minutes.
3.3 Player/surface interactionInmanyrespects,theprimaryconsiderationofasurfacewhenusedforrugbyisitsabilitytoprovideasafeplayingenvironmentandwithstandthehighforcesandimpactsofplayersfallingontothesurface.Forthisreason,itisessentialthatadualuserugby/footballsurfacesatisfiestherelevantrequirementsoftheIRBRegulation22.ThesearedetailedinTable1.Theplayer/surfacerequirementsshouldbeachievedinthelaboratory(productassessment)andonsite(pitchassessment).
IRBRegulation22containsarequirementforenergyrestitution.Thespecifiedtestmethodallowsanumberofalternativewaystomeasurethisproperty.eachmethodiscurrentlyundertechnicalreview.Careshouldbetakenwhencomparingresultsobtainedwithonemethodtothoseobtainedwithanother.
7
Table 1 - Player/Surface interaction
Property Test method Requirement
Shockabsorption en14808:Method1,2005 60%-75%
deformation eB14809:Method1,2005 4mm-10mm
headinjurycriteriaen1177:1998(treatsurfacesaslooseparticulatematerialandtestinaccordancewithclause6.4.3.2etc.
>1.0m*
energyrestitution IRBRegulation22 30%-50%
Traction/rotationalresistance FIFA06/05-01 30nm-50nm
abrasiveness IRBtestmethod:Securisport/Peau1 ±30%
abrasivenessfriction IRBtestmethod:Securisport/Temp1 TMax5C
*TocompensateforthereductionsinCriticalFallheightthatmayoccurasaresultofinfillconsolidationthroughuse,theIRFUstronglyrecommendsaCriticalFallheightofgreaterthen1.3mbeachievedonnewpitcheswhentestedafterconstruction.
TheIRBandFIFAhavespecifieddifferentwaystomeasuretheslidingpropertiesofthesurface.AsurfaceshouldsatisfybothrequirementsofTable2.
Table 2 - Player/Surface interaction - Sliding properties
Property Test method Requirement
Slipresistanceen14837:2003usingstuddedtestfoot
0.6u-1.0u
SlidingdistanceBS7044Section2.2MethodusingstuddedtestfootasspecifiedbyFA
0.25m-0.75
3.4 Ball/surface interactionAlthoughIRBRegulation22containsrequirementsfortheball/surfaceinteraction,thesepropertiesareofgreaterimportancetofootball;multi-usepitchesandtrainingareasshouldthereforebedesignedtosatisfytherelevantFIFArequirementsdetailedinTable3.Theball/surfacerequirementsshouldbeachievedinthelaboratory(productassessment)andonsite(pitchassessment).
Table 3 - Ball/Surface interaction
Property Test method Requirement
Ballrebound FIFA01 0.06m-1.0m
Ballroll FIFA03 4m-10m
Footballpace UeFAMethod2.5Dry:45%-60%wet:45%-80%
8
3.5 Durability Theabilityofanartificialgrasssurfacetoretainacceptableplayingpropertiesthroughoutitsservicelife(subjecttoacceptablemaintenance)isanimportantaspectofaproduct.Possiblythegreatestthreattotheperformanceofanartificialgrassrugby/footballsurfaceisexcessivecompactionoftheinfillmaterialsandorexcessivefibrillationofthepileofthecarpet.BoththeIRBandFIFAhavespecifiedthesamemethodforsimulatingtheeffectsofplayingonartificialgrasssurfacesandassessingthechangesinperformancethatmayoccur.Followingconditioningtosimulateusetheplayer/surfaceandball/surfacepropertiesarereassessedtoensurecontinuingsatisfactoryperformance.
Therequirementsfortheeffectsofsimulatedusemayonlybeundertakeninthelaboratoryandformspartoftheproductassessmenttestprogramme.
Table 4 - Effects of simulated use
Property Test method Requirement
Simulateduseconditioningprocedure
FIFA10
Shockabsorption en14808,2005 60%-70%
deformation en14809,2005 4mm-10mm
Traction/rotationalresistance FIFA06 30nm-50nm
Ballrebound FIFA01 0.60m-1.0m
waterpermeability BSen12616,2003(usingasinglering) >100mm/h
3.6 Properties of artificial grass carpet Theforcesandstressesplacedonartificialgrasspitches,particularlywhenusedforfullcontactadultrugby,areveryhigh.Toensureanartificialgrasscarpetisrobustenoughtowithstandtheseforces,theIRBhaveidentifiedanumberofpropertiesforwhichtheyhavespecifiedrequirements.Thesearedetailedinthefollowingtables.
Manypropertiesoftheartificialgrasscarpetandjointscanbeaffectedbyprolongedexposuretowater.Toensuresurfacesretainacceptablelongertermperformance,samplesareartificiallyagedinwaterbeforehavingthepropertiesreassessed.
Thepropertiesoftheartificialgrasscarpetaremeasuredonlaboratorysamplesandformspartoftheproductassessmenttestprogramme.
Table 5 - Properties of artificial grass carpet
Property Test method Requirement
Tensilepropertiesofcarpet BSenISo13934-1,1999 >25n/mm
Tuftwithdrawalbeforeandafterwaterageing
ISo4919,1978>25N
BSen13744,2004
PileheightMeasurementusingsteelrule/BSISo2549,1972
>65mm
9
3.7 Joint strengthoneoftwomethodsisnormallyusedtojoinrollsofartificialgrasssurfacing;somecompaniesusestitchedseams,whilstothersusebondedseams.Stitchedseamsaremostlikelytofailintensionandshouldbetestedinthismodetoensureadequatejointstrength.Bondedseamsaremorelikelytofailinpeel(i.e.thecarpetpeelsawayfromthebackingtapetowhichitisbonded).
ThestrengthofseamsistestedinaccordancewithBSen12228.Thisproceduredescribesmethodsformeasuringjointstrengthintensileandpeelmodes.Therequirementsforjointstrengthmayonlybeundertakenonlaboratorysamplesandformspartoftheproductassessmenttestprogramme.Incertaincases,thestrengthofthejointmayexceedthestrengthofthecarpetbuttherecordedjointstrengthisbelowthevaluesspecifiedinTable6.Providingthecarpetsatisfiestherequirementsforthetensilepropertiesofthecarpet,thejointstrengthisconsideredacceptableinsuchcases.
Table 6 - Joint strength
Property Test method Requirements
Tensilestrengthbeforeandafterwaterageing-stitchedseams
BSen1228:Method1,2002≥1,200n/100mm
BS7400Section2.4Method3,1989
Peelstrengthbeforeandafterwaterageing-bondedseams
BSen1228:Method1,2002≥75n/100mm
BS7400Section2.4Method2,1989
note:IRBRegulation22currentlyspecifiesatensilejointstrengthof2500n/100mmforalltypesofjoint.experiencetodatehasshownbondedjointsarenotabletoachievethisvalue,butperformadequatelyonsite.TheRFUhaveproposedtheIRBamendtheRegulationtotherequirementsdetailedinTable6.
3.8 Resistance to artificial weatheringToensureacceptablelongtermresistancetoartificialweathering,theartificialgrasssurface,includingallinfillshouldbemanufacturedfrommaterialsthathavelevelsofresistancetoultraviolet(Uv)lightdegradation,weatheringandageingthatwillensurethesurfacingdoesnotprematurelybreakdown,failorsignificantlyfadeorchangecolourduringitsnormalservicelife(10years).
Table 7 - Effects of artificial weathering
Component Property Test Method Requirement
Artificial Colourchange enISo20105-A02 ≥greyscale3
Pileyarn(s) Tensilestrength eN13864%changefromunagedtobenomorethan50%
Polymetricinfill Colourchange enISo20105-A02 ≥greyscale3
3.9 Toxicitywhenclaimingconformitytothisstandard,themanufacturer/supplieroftheartificialgrasssurfaceisdeemedtobeconfirmingthattheartificialgrasssurface,includingallinfillandshockpadmaterials,havebeenmanufacturedfrommaterialsthatintheirfinishedstatedonotcontainanysubstancewhichisknowntobetoxicorcarcinogenicwhenincontactwiththeskinoringestedandthatnotoxicorcarcinogenicsubstanceswillbereleasedasavapour,leachantordustduringnormaluse.
10
4ConstructionrequirementsPitchesshouldbedesignedandbuilttothecriteriadetailedinTable8.
Table 8 - Pitch design and construction requirements
Property Test method Requirements
SurfaceRegularity(seenotebelow)
3mstraight-edge <10mm
Maximumgreaternumberofdeviations:20withnodeviationgreaterthan15mm
Deviationsgreaterthan1minlengthshallbeconsideredmultipledeviations
gradients Surveyor’slevelnomorethan1.0%inanydirection(0.5%recommended)
Deviationfromdesignlevel n/A +±25mm
waterinfiltrationrate BSen12616,2003 >100mm/h
note:variationsinthedistributionofparticulatefillwithinthepileofacarpetcanhaveasignificanteffectontheregularityoftheplayingsurface.whilstthiscanbecorrectedthroughmaintenance,theregularityofthepitchwillalsobeinfluencedbythebaseonwhichtheartificialgrasscarpetislaid.Thebaseshouldthereforemeetthesurfaceregularityrequirementandbecheckedbeforetheartificialgrassislaid.
11
onceapitchhasbeenconstructed,itneedstobetestedtodemonstrateithasthespecifiedlevelsofperformance;thisisparticularlyimportantforrugbywheretheseverityofplayerimpactswithasurfacearegreaterthaninothercontactsports,therebyincreasingthepotentialriskofinjury.TheIRFUhasadoptedthetestingprogrammedetailedinIRBRegulation22andrequireallartificialgrasspitchesusedforrugby(trainingandcompetition)tobetestedasfollows:
• followingconstruction-assomesurfacesneedaperiodoftimefortheinfillmaterialstostabilisebeforethesurfacereachesit’soptimumconditiontestingmaybedelayedforuptothreemonthsfollowingcompletion;
• everytwoyearsthereafter—re-testingmaybeundertakenuptothreemonthsinadvanceofafield’srenewaldatewithoutthesubsequentrenewaldatechanging;
• whenevertheartificialgrasssurfaceisreplaced.
NB: If a pitch fails to satisfy the field test requirements of IRB Regulation 22 (incorporated into this Standard), it should not be used for contact rugby (training and playing) until the necessary remedial works required to ensure compliance are undertaken and the pitch has been re-tested and shown to fully comply.
Testingshouldbecarriedoutbyaspecialistlaboratorythatisexperiencedinthetestingofartificialgrasssurfaces,usingequipmentthatisformallycalibratedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofISo17025.Toensuretherearenoperceptionsofconflictsofinterest,thelaboratoryshouldbeindependentofthemanufacturerandinstalleroftheartificialgrasssurfaceandshouldnothaveparticipatedinthedesignoftheinstallation.
Testsshouldbecarriedoutinatleastsixpositionsrepresentinghigh,mediumandmoderateuseareas(twoofeach),unlessperformanceatacertainlocationisofconcern,inwhichcasethatlocationshouldbeassessed.
Testsonsiteshouldbemadeattheprevailingambienttemperature,butwithintherangeof+5Cto+30Candundertheprevailingsurfaceconditions(dryorwet),unlessperformanceunderacertainconditionisofconcern,inwhichcasethatconditionshouldprevail.
Theresponsibilityfororganisingthetestingofanartificialgrasspitchesremainswiththeoperatorofthepitch,althoughitmaybecontractedtoanotherpartysuchastheorganisationresponsiblefortheconstruction,operationormaintenanceofthepitch.TheresultsofthefieldtestsshouldbeenteredontotheIRFUFieldTestReport(seeAppendixA)andforwardedtotheIRFUsotheymayrecordthecomplianceofthepitch.
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6Designguidelines6.1 Dimensions, run-offs and line markings Theplayingenclosurecomprisestheplayingarea(thefieldofplayandin-goalareas)andrun-offspacearoundit,whichareprovidedtoensureplayersdonotinjurethemselvesbyrunningintosurroundfencing,hoardingsandotherobstacles.Therun-offsshouldbesurfacedwiththesameartificialgrasssurfaceastheplayingarea.
Table11onpage15summarisesthevariouspitchsizesforthemaincategoriesofdualuserugby/footballfacilityandtherecommendedrun-offs.
Playlinescaneitherbepaintedontotheplayingsurfaceorbetuftedandinlaid.Tuftedlinesareincorporatedintothecarpetduringproductionandinlaidlinesarecutintothecarpetduringinstallation.Tufted/inlaidlinesprovidepermanentmarkingsthatreduceongoingmaintenancecosts,whereaspaintedlinesgivegreaterflexibilitytotheuseofthearea.allthreemethodsareconsideredacceptable.
5Pitchassessments
6.2 FloodlightingTheminimumlevelsofperformanceshouldbeinaccordancewithTable9.
Table 9 - Minimum levels of floodlighting
Property Requirement
Maintainedaverageilluminance >200Lux
Uniformity(Min/Ave) >0.6
glareRating <50
Lampcolourtemperature Tk>400K
Lampcolourrendering ≥60
Forcoaching,trainingandcrosspitchplay,pitchesshouldbelittotheminimumstandardsdetailedinTable10.
Table 10 - Minimum levels of floodlighting - training and recreational use
Use Property Requirement
RecreationalplayMaintainedaverageilluminance 120lux
Uniformity(Min/Ave) >0.6
TrainingMaintainedaverageilluminance 100lux
Uniformity(Min/Ave) Norequirement
note:Followinginstallationorre-lamping,alightingsystemwillnormallysufferaninitialdeteriorationinlightingperformance;thisistypicallyintheorderof15%to25%.Thelightinglevelsshouldthenbeconsistent(subjecttoroutinemaintenance,includingcleaningoflampglass,realignment,etc)untilthelampsreachtheendoftheirservicelife.Thevalueofmaintainedaverageilluminanceisthelevelofilluminationprovidedaftertheinitialdeterioration.
13
Table 11 - Recommended pitch dimensions and run-offs (Based on common touch and goal lines)
Type of pitch Category Playing Area Recommended run-off beyond playing area
Playing enclosure
Length width
distanceateitherendofpitch
Minimumateithersideofpitch
(fencetofence)
(Refertosection6.1ofthisdocument)
Touch-ingoalline
Run-off Run-off
Fullsizepitches Recommended 130.0m 80.0m 10.0m 5.0m 5.0m 130.0mx80.0m
TrainingpitchesTraining/minifootball
55.0m 36.5m n/A 3.0m 3.0m 61mx42.5m
TheIRBstatesthat:‘Thelengthandbreadthoftheplayingareaaretobeasnearaspossibletothedimensionsindicated.Alltheareasarerectangular.’(IRBLaw1-Theground)
7References1. IRBPerformanceSpecificationforArtificial
SurfacesforRugby-Regulation22,March2004 www.irb.com
2. FIFAQualityConceptforFootballTurf,April2006 www.fifa.com/en/development/quality/
artificialtest.html
3. ArtificialgrassinUeFACompetitions,RequirementsandRecommendations,
UeFA,2003 www.uefa.com
Support and adviceForfurthersupportandadviceonartificialturfpitchesandtheiruseforrugbyunion,pleasecontactyourlocalbranchoffice(seebackpage).
14
5.60m
width of rugby goal posts
width of rugby goal posts
70.00m
5.00m
80.00m
15.00m3.00m
5.00m
5.00m
10.00m
10.00m
15.00m
22.00m
100.00m 130.00m
10.00m
20.00m
10.00m
8Recommendedpitchdimensions(fullsizepitch)
15
Recommendedpitchdimensions(trainingpitch)
61.00m55.00m
R7.50m
3m
42.50m
36.50m
3m
6.00m
16
9Artificialgrassrugbypitch-fieldrestreportThis report must be completed in full and signed by a Director of the laboratory that undertook the field tests and the organisation responsible for the artificial grass pitch.
ThecompletedFieldTestReportshouldbesent(bypost,faxoremail)to:
Declano’BrienoperationsManagerIrishRugbyFootballUnion10/12LansdowneRoaddublin4
Fax:016473801email:[email protected]
PleaseseeAppendixAforasampleFieldTestReport.
17
Appendix AArtificial Grass Rugby Pitch - Field Test Report
Site details
Club or site name
Address
Club or site contact
Tel
Date pitch installed
Contractor
Contractor’s address
Artificial grass product name
Infill Upper layer
Middle layer
Lower layer
Shockpad
Base
Type of test Initial Re-test
Re-test: date of last test
Pitch owner/operator
Organisation
Address
Contact
Tel
18
Test Laboratory
Laboratory
Address
Tel
Contact
Laboratory project reference
Signature
Test Conditions
Date of test
Surface condition Dry Wet
Ambient temperature Surface temperature
Pitch location Date of test
Appendix A (continued)Artificial Grass Rugby Pitch - Field Test Report
19
Test
res
ult
s -
IRB
Reg
ula
tio
n 2
2
Pers
on/
surf
ace
inte
ract
ion
Pro
per
tyTe
st P
osi
tio
nR
equ
irem
ents
Pas
s/fa
il1
23
45
6
Sho
ck a
bso
rptio
n6
0%
- 75
%
Ver
tical
def
orm
atio
n4
mm
- 10
mm
Hea
d in
jury
crit
eria
Rec
: > 1.
3m*
Min
: > 1.
0m
Ene
rgy
rest
itutio
n30
% -
50%
Trac
tion
30N
m -
50N
m
Slip
resi
stan
ce0
.6 -
1.0
Slid
ing
dis
tanc
e **
0.2
5 - 0
.75m
* IR
FU re
com
men
dat
ion
for n
ew p
itche
s**
Dua
l use
rugb
y/fo
otb
all p
itche
s o
nly
Ap
pen
dix
A (c
ont
inue
d)
Art
ifici
al G
rass
Ru
gby
Pit
ch -
Fie
ld T
est
Rep
ort
20
Bal
l/sur
face
inte
ract
ion
Pro
per
tyTe
st P
osi
tio
nR
equ
irem
ents
Pas
s/fa
il1
23
45
6
Bal
l reb
oun
d6
0 -
100
cm
Ang
le b
all r
ebo
und
Bal
l ro
ll**
60
- 10
0cm
* Tes
ts o
n ru
gby
onl
y p
itche
s in
acc
ord
ance
with
IRB
regu
latio
n 22
. Tes
ts o
n d
ual u
se ru
gby/
foo
tbal
l pitc
hes
in a
cco
rdan
ce w
ith R
FU/F
A S
tand
ard
** D
ual u
se ru
gby/
foo
tbal
l pitc
hes
onl
y
Co
nstr
uctio
n
Dim
ensi
ons
Leng
thW
idth
Prin
cip
al g
rad
ient
sLe
ngth
Wid
th<1
%
Wat
er p
erm
eab
ility
>18
0m
m/h
Pile
hei
ght
>65m
m
Infill d
epth
Ap
pen
dix
A (c
ont
inue
d)
Art
ifici
al G
rass
Ru
gby
Pit
ch -
Fie
ld T
est
Rep
ort
21
Appendix A (continued)Artificial Grass Rugby Pitch - Field Test Report
Plan showing surface undulations exceeding 10mm
22
Appendix A (continued)Artificial Grass Rugby Pitch - Field Test Report
Laboratory results
IRB Regulation 22 includes a series of laboratory tests. To fully comply with the Regulations, as required by the Laws of the Game, the artificial grass surface installed on a field must also meet the requirements of the laboratory tests.
When submitting a Field Test Report for a new pitch a copy of the test report showing the installed surface’s compliance with the laboratory test requirements of IRB Regulation 22 must be attached to the Field Test Report and the installing company must confirm the artificial grass surface installed is to the same specification as that detailed in the laboratory test report.
Statement of conformityWe confirm that the combination of artificial grass surface, infill, shockpad and sub-base installed on the pitch to which this Field Test Report applies are the same (within industry production tolerances) as those previously tested in the laboratory and as described in the laboratory test report detailed below
Signed
Name
Position
Company
Date
Laboratory Test Report Reference No.
Laboratory report included Yes No
Pitch location Date of test
23
The IRFU shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this Guidance Note. The IRFU reserves the right to amend or widthdraw the information contained in this Guidance Note. Produced in association with the RFU.
For further information contact theBranch Club Rugby Development Manager:
Munster RugbyTel: 021 4323563Fax: 021 4323956
Leinster RugbyTel: 01 2693224Fax: 01 2693142
Connacht RugbyTel: 091 561568Fax: 0909 643083
Ulster RugbyTel: 048 90493111Fax: 028 90491 522