Montgomery Blair High School

Synthetic Turf - Field Evaluation Report

Field Evaluation Summary

Gmax 189 Average (222 Highest location recorded, 162 Lowest location recorded, 5 locations over 200)

The stadium field at Montgomery Blair HS has been thoroughly evaluated to determine the current condition of the
synthetic turf system, provide recommend action items to improve current conditions and extend the useful life of the
surface. The fibers are severely deteriorated and are showing signs of UV degradation causing them to be very brittle
and break off at the surface which reduces the fibers ability to properly contain the infill. The infill is observed to be
compacted causing Gmax values to exceed the ASTM limit of 200 which is effecting the safety and performance of the
playing surface.

Due to the excessive/consistent fiber wear, compacted infill and surface infill, we do not recommend competition use
of this surface until implementation of proper professional maintenance services to address the items noted within this
report as well as improve the conditions of this athletic field. The severely worn fibers are not able to withstand proper
routine maintenance operations by the owner due to the fragile fibers shearing off at the surface of the infill.

The anticipated useful life remaining in the synthetic turf system for mild-recreational use is less than 1 year since the
system is not able to be maintained without further damaging the playing surface.

~Enclosures - Field Evaluation Report, Infill Depth Report, Gmax Test Report
 Field Evaluation Report

Project Name Montgomery Blair HS - Synthetic Turf Stadium Field

Contact Info Kimberly Paniati, PE. - Engineer Montgomery Parks M-NCPPC
Project Address 51 University Blvd. E., Sliver Spring MD 20901
Date & Time 10/14/2016 @ 11am
Weather Sunny 65 deg F
Site Activity Stadium Field - Football

Contact Discussions
Use of Field: x Football, Soccer, LAX and Field Hockey
Frequency of Use: x Used daily
Maintenance Schedule: x Not available at time of evaluation
Input or Feedback: 1 Fibers show severe wear and UV degradation.
The field is ready to be replaced due to the deterioration of the fibers and significant
2
infill on the playing surface.
The fibers are noted to be very brittle and thin which is causing the infill to accumulate
3
on the surface effecting traction and footing characteristics
The infill is very compacted causing Gmax to exceed allowable limits at over 5 noted
4
locations on the field
Action Items: Contact Manufacturer to perform immediate professional maintenance services due to
1 the fragile fibers and potential for further damage of the system during these
2 operations.
Repair several low inlays causing unstable footing characteristics
Monitor field monthly until replaced due to high Gmax values at several locations
3
across the entire field.
We recommend the field be addressed and retested to verify compliance prior to
4
competition and high impact activities.
Tests Conducted: 1 Gmax Test - See enclosed in report
2 Field infill depth grid - See enclosed in report

Turf and Infill Conditions

Turf Condition: Goal area - Fibers laying over and are frayed, not allowing proper infill depth to be
1 maintained. Heavy fiber wear and UV degradation observed

Penalty kick - Thin fibers observed at kick inlays and adjacent turf. Heavy fiber wear
2

3 Center Field - Center inlay recently replaced. Infill depth low. Replenish infill regularly
Sidelines - Turf at sidelines is heavily compacted and showing heavy wear on fibers.
4 Fibers shearing off easily with light pull of fiber.

General areas - All non high use areas are showing significant fiber wear and UV
5 degradation. Fibers very thin down to infill level then are thicker where not exposed.

Inlays - Replace penalty kicks, parts of yellow soccer boundary line in d-zones &
6 several other small inlays to be replaced / fix. Significant fiber wear.

Infill Condition: Goal area - Compacted, low infill, fibers severely worn and will not accept more infill
1 therefore potentially requiring turf replacement at localized areas

Creases and penalty kick - Compacted and lower infill depths, severely worn turf and
2 will not accept more infill therefore potentially requiring turf replacement at localized
areas
3 Center Field - Low infill depth
4 Corner Kicks- All corner kick locations observed low infill
5 Sidelines - Heavily compacted
6 General areas - Infill is at proper levels but infill is heavily compacted
Overall Fiber Condition: 1 Severely worn and heavy wear
 General Observations
Field Accessibility: Southeast sideline is very compacted due to high traffic areas from entering field on this
1
side for all activities
2 Gated. 3 access gates on field
Field Perimeter: 1 No exposed curb at track transition.
2 Exposed curb in both d-zones
Field Planarity: Some localized settlement areas observed which can be addressed in future at the
1
time of field replacement.
Possible drainage issues based on the observation of significant rubber migration along
2
track edge with planarity issues visually identifiable in the entire field.
Areas of Concern: Northwest corner of field has sediment contamination from d-zone area, this should be
1
addressed to prevent further contamination.
2 Entire field had large amounts of debris on surface.
Field Equipment: Both football goal posts have wooden boxes around their bases with gravel inside. The
1 d-zone curb ends on both sides of wooden box. It's recommended both goals to be
shifted 2ft behind curb line when field is replaced.
Fixed and Portable soccer goals. No portable field hockey, women's or men's lax goals
2
present during evaluation.
3 No maintenance equipment observe red during evalution
Maintenance The fibers on this field show extreme wear and are not able to hold proper levels of infill
Recommendations in place at high use areas and throughout the field not allowing for proper infill depths
to be established. Sidelines and Goal areas are very compacted which will require
1 more attention. We recommend no competition activities be held on this field until
after the completion of professional maintenance services, followed by
additional routine testing verifying compliance and then frequent monitoring
until the field is fully replaced.
2 We recommend contacting turf manufactures for maintenance services.
3 We recommend follow up on a routine maintenance schedule by the manufacturer

Field Issues - Pictures

Field Issues - Pictures Cont'
 N

Montgomery Blair HS - Stadium Field

Infill Depth Grid @ 50 Foot Intervals
WEST
Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Location 4 Location 5
STADIUM FIELD
Location Infill Depth

1 33

2 47
Row 1 Row 1
3 37

4 47

5 36
1 41
2 42
Row 2 3 34 Row 2

4 40
5 44

1 41

2 38
Row 3 Row 3
3 36

4 42

5 46

1 40

2 39
Row 4 Row 4
3 35
VISITOR SIDE

4 37

HOME SIDE
5 37
1 48
2 38
Row 5 3 33 Row 5

4 40
5 43

1 40

2 41
Row 6 Row 6
3 40

4 42

5 45
1 40
2 39
Row 7 3 36 Row 7

4 43
5 45
1 41
2 44
Row 8 3 36 Row 8

4 43
5 35 1

Location 1 Location 2 Location 3 Location 4 Location 5

EAST
 G-MAX TEST REPORT

CLIENT REPORT NUMBER

Kimberly Paniati, P.E.
Engineer, Montgomery Parks, M-NCPPC 2016-179
9500 Burnett Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Date 10-14-2016

DESCRIPTION

An independent analysis of a synthetic turf relative to G-max was requested by the client. The Test was performed
by a Licensed Professional Engineer at the below referenced location with ASTM certified and calibrated equipment.
The Test Methods are as follows;

Method A - ASTM F 355, Test Method for Shock-Absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials.
ASTM F 1936-10, Standard Specification for Shock-Absorbing Properties of North American Football Field
Playing Systems as Measured on the Field, (G-max)

The particulars of this on-site analysis are described below.

TEST INFORMATION
Test Date - 10-14-2016
Project Name Montgomery Blair HS Stadium Field Time of Test - 9:00am
Site address 51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901 Weather - Sun 64F
Test Type - Onsite G-max Test - 10 Locations Installation Date - n/a
Field Type Football (Sand rubber infill) Field Temp - 73F Average

TEST RESULTS
The following test results indicate G-max values for ten individual locations with three separate tests performed at
each location. A table has been provided indicating the values associated with each test and a location map showing
the ten individual tests at designated and described locations. The test results reported herein reflects the
conditions of the tested field at the time and temperatures noted.

TEST CONCLUSION
The Synthetic Turf Field at Montgomery Blair High School as characterized above and in the following report has
been verified to be out of compliance and does not meet the requirements for play based on the specifications
as referenced in ASTM F1936-10 with locations above the maximum allowable limit of 200.

Montgomery Blair HS Stadium Field

Overall G-max = 189

APPROVED BY - RYAN TEETER, PE - LDD Sports

 G-MAX TEST REPORT
Montgomery Blair HS - Stadium Field
G-max Values - 10.14.2016

Drop 1 Drop 2 Drop 3 Infill Field

Test Gmax
Depth Temp
Location Gmax HIC Gmax HIC Gmax HIC Average
(mm) (F)
1 201 725 219 834 224 866 221.50 27 73
2 160 528 171 591 171 588 171.00 39 73
3 147 461 161 535 162 541 161.50 40 73
4 191 666 209 780 213 804 211.00 32 73
5 196 680 213 780 212 775 212.50 40 73
6 136 400 151 481 153 492 152.00 35 73
7 186 655 202 747 203 755 202.50 38 73
8 196 712 210 797 209 788 209.50 40 73
9 168 558 184 649 182 639 183.00 40 73
10 155 500 167 563 167 562 167.00 34 73

189 Overall Average G-max

Location Specific Location Description

1 E 0yd line at center of the field
2 E Goal area at center of field
3 NE Corner of yellow lines
4 NE 25yd line 30ft from midfield
5 Midfield at Centerfield
6 SW 25 yd line at the hash marks
7 W 11yd line at center of field
8 W Soccer Goal area at center of field
9 NW 37yd line at the hash marks
10 Northt sideline at midfield

2 1 5 7 8

4 9
N
3

10
 G-MAX TEST REPORT

Location #1 Location #2 Location #3

Location #4 Location #5 Location #6

Location #7 Location #8 Location #9

Location #10