For a professional project, relying only on visual inspection is not enough.
Depending on the application and market, relevant requirements may come from product standards, sports-surface standards, project specifications and certification programmes. In China, GB/T 20394, Sports Artificial Turf, is an important reference for sports artificial turf. European projects may use applicable EN or DIN specifications, while professional football projects may additionally follow FIFA Quality Programme requirements.
The exact test method and acceptance limit should be confirmed against the current edition of the applicable standard, because test procedures and requirements can differ by application.
Four Checks Worth Including in Project Acceptance
1. Verify the actual product and batch
The test report should correspond to the product actually supplied to the project. A generic report for another product or an older formulation should not automatically be treated as evidence for the current shipment.
2. Check tuft retention and backing performance
For a non-infill system, information relating to tuft bind, pull-out resistance, backing integrity and adhesive performance can be particularly useful.
3. Conduct on-site sampling
Inspect representative rolls and installed areas for:
- Fiber density
- Backing consistency
- Uneven coating
- Loose fibers
- Broken fibers
- Tuft irregularities
- Seam quality
For larger sports projects, sampling and acceptance procedures should be defined before installation.
4. Clarify warranty terms
The contract should clearly distinguish between:
- Fiber wear
- Fiber breakage
- Tuft pull-out
- Backing failure
- Seam failure
- UV/weathering-related deterioration
- Installation-related defects
This makes it much easier to determine whether a future problem falls within the manufacturer’s warranty.
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