Below are the new guidelines ("Guidelines For Synthetic Turf Performance") compiled by the Synthetic Turf Council. These guidelines encourage periodic and voluntary testing to indicate the type of maintenance that should be implemented to maximize multi-purpose sports field performance. If a field is not performing within the desired range in critical test areas despite targeted maintenance, then the owner will know the field may soon need to be replaced.

Key to the guidelines is the indicated threshold of 165 for GMax, the measured field attenuation. That standard is highlighted below.

Test Method(s)	Property	Community Field	Stadium Field
Identification Guidelines
ASTM D1907	Fiber Denier	+/‐10% of Specification	+/‐10% of Specification
ASTM D3218	Fiber Microns	+/‐10% of Specification	+/‐10% of Specification
ASTM D5823	Pile Height	+/‐1/8" of Specification	+/‐1/8" of Specification
ASTM D5793	Stitch Gauge	Same as Specification	Same as Specification
ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543	Pile Weight	+/‐10% and no more than minus 2 oz/sq. yd. of Specification	+/‐10% and no more than minus 2 oz/sq. yd. of Specification
ASTMD5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543	Primary Backing	+/‐10% of Specification	+/‐10% of Specification
ASTM D5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543	Secondary Backing	+/‐10% and no more than minus 2 oz/sq. yd. of Specification	+/‐10% and no more than minus 2 oz/sq. yd. of Specification
ASTMD5848 or FIFA/ISO 8543	Total Weight	+/‐10% of Specification	+/‐10% of Specification
FIFA/EN 1969	Infill Depth	+/‐15% of Specification	+/‐15% of Specification
FIFA/EN 13041	Infill Bulk Density	+/‐15% of Specification	+/‐15% of Specification
ASTM F2765‐09	Lead Content	below 100ppm	below 100ppm
Quality Guidelines
ASTM D1335 or ISO 4919	Tuft Bind (Without Infill)	> 6.8 lbs or 30N	> 6.8 lbs or 30N
FIFA 09/EN 13672	Simulated Wear/Abrasion	Shock Absorption, Vertical	Shock Absorption, Vertical
	Resistance	Deformation, Ball Rebound and	Deformation, Ball Rebound and
		Rotational Resistance ‐pass after	Rotational Resistance ‐pass after
		20,200 Lisport cycles	5,200 Lisport cycles
FIFA/EN ISO 20105‐A02	Artificial Weathering (3000 hrs UVA)	> Gray Scale 3	> Gray Scale 3
	Turf Color Change
FIFA/EN 13864	Artificial Weathering (3000 hrs UVA)	Reduction of no more than 50%	Reduction of no more than 50%
	Pile Yarn Tensile Strength
FIFA/EN ISO 20105‐A02	Artificial Weathering (3000 hrs UVA)	> Gray Scale 3	> Gray Scale 3
	Infill Color Change
FIFA/EN 13036	Surface regularity	< 10mm difference over 3m	< 10mm difference over 3m
		straight edge	straight edge
Surveyor's level	Slope	< 1%	< 1%
ASTMF1551 or FIFA/EN 12616	Water Permeability (after install)	> 10 inches per hour	> 10 inches per hour
Performance Guidelines
ASTM F1936	Impact Attenuation	below 165	below 165
FIFA 04 and FIFA 09	Shock Absorption	55% to 70%	60% to 70%
FIFA 05 and FIFA 09	Vertical Deformation (foot stability)	4mm to 9mm	4mm to 8mm
FIFA 06 and FIFA 09	Rotational Resistance (traction)	25n to 50n	30n to 45n
FIFA 07	Linear Friction ‐Deceleration	3.0g to 6.0g	3.0g to 5.5g
FIFA 07	Linear Friction ‐Slide	120 to 220	130 to 210
FIFA 08	Skin Abrasion (dry)	< 30%	< 30%
FIFA 08	Skin/Surface Friction (dry)	0.35 to 0.75	0.35 to 0.75
FIFA 01 and FIFA 09	Vertical Ball Rebound (Soccer)	60cm to 100cm	60cm to 85cm
FIFA 02	Angled Ball Behavior (Soccer)	45% to 70%	45% to 60%
FIFA 03	Ball Roll (Soccer specific)	4 to 10 meters	4 to 8 meters
Testing Frequency Guidelines ‐according to Client requirements and budget
Client requirements	Laboratory testing	Pre‐Purchase and as QC Measure	Pre‐Purchase and as QC Measure
Client requirements	Field Testing	After Installation	After Installation
Client requirements	Field Testing ‐Follow‐up	Every Four Years	Every Year

As representatives of G9 Turf and the synthetic turf industry as a whole, we must have a good understanding of the terminology and processes involved in the manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of synthetic turf systems.  Here are some terms to be familiar with: 

ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.  Monitors and regulates safety measures for synthetic turf surfaces.

At Installation: A period of time close to the completion date of the turf installation, but not to exceed 30 days.

Backing System (Primary): A single or multiple layers of woven or nonwoven materials, into which the fiber is either tufted or knitted, to provide the initial construction of the synthetic turf.

Backing System (Secondary): A coating and/or woven or non-woven fabric layer(s) applied to the primary backing after the fiber pile has been tufted or knitted into place, which serves to enhance tuft bind and provide additional structural integrity.

Base Materials:  Materials that provide porosity and stability such as crushed aggregate or porous pavement.

Denier:  The weight in grams of 9000 meters of fiber

Drainage System:  A method of removing surface and subsurface moisture/water.  A sub-base layer under the playing field that includes pipes and foam/stone to carry water to drainage basins on the perimeter of the surface.

Fiber: A specific form of fibrous textile material that has a length at least 100 times its diameter or width.  Also known as "yarns".

Fiber Thickness: A measurement in microns (metric) or mils. (U.S.) of the thinnest cross section of a fiber.

FIFA: Federation of International Football Association.  Administers tests to determine safety, durability, and playability of synthetic turf surfaces.

Gmax: A measurement of impact (shock absorption) in terms of gravity units as a ratio of deceleration.

Infill: Loosely dispersed materials that are added to the synthetic turf system, typically sand, rubber, or EPDM (manufactured crumb rubber which does not include recycled tire contaminants), as well as other suitable material (TPE or virgin plastic), or a combination thereof.  The most recent generation of synthetic turf systems utilizes a long pile height and needs to be supported with infill materials for directional stability and structural integrity, as well as resiliency.

In situ:  A field in "as is" condition

Knitting/Stitching: A process in which the yarn fibers of the pile are tied to the backing which was simultaneously constructed by transforming continuous strands of multi-filaments into a series of interlocking loops, each row of such loops hanging from the row immediately preceding it.

Perforations:  Depending on the final construction of the turf system, the system may or may not be permeable to water. Perforations are typically required of fully coated system backings to provide adequate vertical drainage throughout the system.

Permeability (Water): The rate at which water flows through a surface or system cross-section or components of the cross-section.

Planarity: Uniformity of the surface as compared to certain fixed predetermined points or prescribed slopes.

Player-Surface Interface: The field surface should provide consistent footing across the entire field area in all directions. It should also allow for movement between the shoe and the field surface so that contact can be made between athletes without the foot locking into place.

Rotational Resistance: The surface should allow for twisting movements as is common in athletic activities. Rotational resistance measures the ability of the user to perform twisting motions when in contact with the surface.

Shock Absorbing System: Component(s) that add resiliency to the system.  i.e. foam drainage pads or shock pads.

Sub-grade: A stabilized foundation onto which the base materials and field systems are installed.

Synthetic Pile Fiber: Grass-like blades made of synthetic materials.  Also known as yarns.

Synthetic Turf: There are several different types of synthetic turf available.  They are distinguishable through the use of different fibers and different construction.

Synthetic Turf Council (STC):  a non-profit association dedicated to addressing the desire of
the industry to enhance its reputation for quality.

Synthetic Turf Systems: These systems are comprised of (a) synthetic grass-like surface piles, tufted or knitted into a primary backing system to which a secondary backing system has been applied; with or without infill material(s); (b) a shock absorbing system, and (c) suitable base materials with an appropriate drainage system.

Tufting: A process by which the fiber yarns that form the pile are inserted into a previously prepared blanket-like primary backing.

"As a former player, I'm very impressed with G9's comprehensive game plan towards player safety, especially as it relates to the younger players on the field. Player safety is the number one concern of G9 and they have demonstrated that with the development of a high quality product and a revolutionary maintenance protocol."

Daryl Johnson, FOX Sports
Former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion

"G9 Turf demonstrated the SMG Sports Champ at one of our town fields, and we were surprised at how the grooming process cleared the debris from the field. It picked up everything from soda can pop tops and sunflower seeds, to cigarette butts and leaves. The field looked great afterwards."

Frank Bachety, Town of Babylon
Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Affairs

"We utilized G9's extraction technology to remove infill, allowing us to install new lines on an existing field. The REJUVENATION process worked remarkably well. We were able to do our work more quickly and efficiently, and the field surface was improved as a result. We will work with G9 Turf again in the future."

Rich Ranieri, Ballard Construction
On G9 Turf's REJUVENATION process

• The B-2000 in action

Synthetic Turf Council - http://www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/index.cfm

Association of Synthetic Grass Installers - http://www.asgi.us/

Families of American Military - http://familiesofamericanmilitary.org/

Disability Opportunity Fund - http://thedof.org/

SMG - http://www.smg-gmbh.de/index.php

Replay Maintenance - http://www.replaymaintenance.co.uk/

Charles Lawrence Group - http://www.clgplc.co.uk/

Don McPherson - http://donaldmcpherson.com/

Bimasco - http://bimasco.net/

American Sports Builders Association - http://sportsbuilders.org/index.php