Artificial grass and sports surface testing
Testing of sports surfaces and artificial grass to determine compliance with standards
Testing of Artificial Turf and Sports Surfaces
Independent testing of sports surfaces and artificial turf to assess their safety, quality, technical properties, and compliance with applicable standards.
Assessment of the Quality and Safety of Sports Surfaces
The quality of sports surfaces has a direct impact on athlete safety, playing conditions, and the longevity of sports infrastructure. A surface that is improperly installed or has lost its properties during use can increase the risk of injury, worsen playing conditions, and result in additional maintenance or renovation costs.
Testing of sports surfaces allows for an objective assessment of the surface’s actual technical and performance characteristics, the identification of potential defects, and verification of whether the surface meets the applicable requirements.
TUV NORD Lithuania conducts testing of artificial turf, synthetic sports surfaces, and sports field surfaces. The scope of testing is determined based on the type of surface, the intended use of the sports facility, the applicable standards, and the client’s needs.
What types of sports surface tests do we conduct?
Artificial Turf Tests
Tests are conducted on artificial turf and synthetic grass for soccer fields and other sports fields to evaluate the properties of the surfaces and their compliance with established requirements.
Testing of Synthetic Sports Surfaces
Tests are being conducted on track and field surfaces, multipurpose outdoor sports fields, and other synthetic sports surfaces.
Testing of Surfaces for Multipurpose Sports Fields
The surfaces of school, municipal, public, and other multipurpose sports fields are evaluated based on their intended use and applicable requirements.
Wet Surface Tests
An assessment of the slip resistance of swimming pools, saunas, and the surfaces surrounding them is being conducted.
What types of tests do we perform on sports surfaces?
Test | What is being evaluated? |
Impact Absorption | The surface's ability to reduce the impact load on the athlete. |
Vertical deformation | Deformation of the pavement under a specified load. |
Slip resistance / friction | Tread adhesion properties, including tests on wet surfaces, where specified in the applicable methodology. |
Ball Bounce | The interaction between the ball and the sports surface, and the ball's bounce characteristics. |
The Ball's Roll | The ball's rolling characteristics when this assessment is applied to a specific type of surface. |
Coating Thickness | The actual thickness of the sports surface and its compliance with the established requirements. |
Surface smoothness | Surface irregularities that may affect safety and athletic performance. |
The scope of specific tests for sports surfaces is determined based on the type of surface, its intended use, and the requirements applicable to it.
When are sports surface tests required?
After installing the new sports surface
Before putting a newly installed sports surface into use, it is possible to verify whether its actual properties comply with the design specifications and applicable technical requirements.
During the Use of Sports Surfaces
Periodic testing of sports surfaces helps assess their current condition, monitor changes in their properties, and plan maintenance or renovation work.
After the repair or renovation of a sports surface
During testing, it is possible to assess whether the work performed ensures that the pavement has the required properties and meets the established requirements.
In the event of a dispute regarding the quality of the sports surface
The documented measurement results obtained during independent testing provide objective data for evaluating the quality of sports surfaces or the installation and repair work that has been performed.
Testing Standards for Sports Surfaces
Tests on sports surfaces and artificial turf are conducted in accordance with the standards and testing methods applicable to the specific type of surface and its intended use.
Key Standards:
- LST EN 14877 – Technical requirements for synthetic outdoor sports surface materials.
- LST EN 15330-1 – Requirements for synthetic turf and other textile sports surfaces based on their intended sports use.
- Other relevant European standards and test methods —applied depending on the type of pavement, its intended use, and the properties being evaluated.
Specific standards and test methods are selected based on the type of sports surface, the purpose of the facility, and the requirements of the project or the client.
Why is it important to test sports surfaces?
- Athlete Safety. Test results help determine the properties of the surface that may affect safety during sports activities.
- Independent quality assessment. Objective measurement data allow for an evaluation of the actual properties of the sports surface.
- Protection of Investments. Identifying defects early can help avoid higher repair or resurfacing costs.
- Maintenance Planning. The test results provide the data needed to plan the maintenance and renovation of sports surfaces.
- Dispute Resolution. Documented test results may be used to evaluate the quality of the installation or repair of a sports surface or other work performed.
Order testing for sports surfaces and artificial turf
Do you want to make sure that your newly installed or existing sports surface or artificial turf meets the required standards?
Contact the experts at TUV NORD Lithuania. Taking into account the purpose of the sports facility, the type of surface, and the objective of the assessment, we will help you determine the scope of the necessary tests and provide a proposal tailored to your facility.
