ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES FOR RUGBY · 2019-01-09 · artificial grass pitches. Their standards are: • IRB Performance Specification for Artificial Surfaces for Rugby - Regulation

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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


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


Ballrebound FIFA01 0.06m-1.0m

Ballroll FIFA03 4m-10m

Footballpace UeFAMethod2.5Dry:45%-60%wet:45%-80%

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3.5 Durability Theabilityofanartificialgrasssurfacetoretainacceptableplayingpropertiesthroughoutitsservicelife(subjecttoacceptablemaintenance)isanimportantaspectofaproduct.Possiblythegreatestthreattotheperformanceofanartificialgrassrugby/footballsurfaceisexcessivecompactionoftheinfillmaterialsandorexcessivefibrillationofthepileofthecarpet.BoththeIRBandFIFAhavespecifiedthesamemethodforsimulatingtheeffectsofplayingonartificialgrasssurfacesandassessingthechangesinperformancethatmayoccur.Followingconditioningtosimulateusetheplayer/surfaceandball/surfacepropertiesarereassessedtoensurecontinuingsatisfactoryperformance.

Therequirementsfortheeffectsofsimulatedusemayonlybeundertakeninthelaboratoryandformspartoftheproductassessmenttestprogramme.

Table 4 - Effects of simulated use


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


Tensilepropertiesofcarpet BSenISo13934-1,1999 >25n/mm

Tuftwithdrawalbeforeandafterwaterageing

ISo4919,1978>25N

BSen13744,2004

PileheightMeasurementusingsteelrule/BSISo2549,1972

>65mm

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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Appendix AArtificial Grass Rugby Pitch - Field Test Report

Site details

Club or site name

Address

Club or site contact

Tel

Email

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

Email

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Test Laboratory

Laboratory

Address

Tel

Contact

Email

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

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21


Plan showing surface undulations exceeding 10mm

22


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

ARTIFICIAL GRASS PITCHES FOR RUGBY · 2019-01-09 · artificial grass pitches. Their standards are: • IRB Performance Specification for Artificial Surfaces for Rugby - Regulation

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