Other Technical servicesA range of other technical procedures are provided and if we can't undertake it we probably know someone who will. We have developed a range of ideas and services useful to the sports surface industry. Here are a few of them...
Soakaway, attenuation and drainage system design and rationale
The design of drainage systems for artificial sports surfaces is subject to strict planning regulations related to SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) and flood prevention in general. Critical factors of concern are the Greenfield Runoff of the site and the subsoil infiltration (percolation) rate. Planners will often insist on drainage system designs being justified in these terms. Greenfield runoff estimates are based on location and soil type the mapping of which allows this to be estimated without visiting the site. Infiltration rate has to be measured on site, something we undertake by the BRE365 method (see Soil Testing). With this and other site information we are able to design a drainage and attenuation system for the project. We will also provide a rationale for that design that will, hopefully, satisfy the planners and so help to ensure that your project gets the go-ahead. The same principles can be applied to natural turf systems involving soil. Here, however, the situation is very much more complex as water in soil does not behave at all as it would, for example, in MOT Type 3 aggregate or over a macadam tennis court. Treating natural turf as an impermeable surface usually requires the creation of such an enormous attenuation and soakaway system that the project exceeds any reasonable budget from the outset. Such an approach is, of course, entirely unnecessary but planners increasingly ask for a justification of a natural turf drainage system along similar lines to those required for artificial or impermeable surfaces. With our extensive experience in this area, we are able to provide that justification, again hopefully to the satisfaction of the planners and certainly for the avoidance of increased flood risk arising from any natural turf sports installation with which we are involved. See here for further information on our SuDS design and analysis services. Grass Cultivar SelectionWe rework the data provided in the annual 'Turfgrass Seed' booklet produced by the BSBR to provide a more accessible interpretation of the range of grass cultivars currently available. Those cultivars that share common characteristics and which may be best suited to your particular circumstances are highlighted. This information is available on a client by client basis only. The principles involved are discussed in this published article here (860 kb). Please call for more information.
|