For non-infill turf to truly perform well in school environments, the specification should be clear and measurable. Schools should not rely only on marketing claims such as “eco-friendly,” “soft,” or “child-safe.”
The following items should be written into procurement and acceptance documents.
6.1 Environmental Testing
Require third-party test reports with CMA, CNAS, SGS, Labosport, or other recognized testing credentials, depending on the market.
For school projects, reports should cover:
- Phthalates
- PAHs
- Heavy metals
- TVOC emission
- Formaldehyde emission
- Odor rating
- Benzene series substances where applicable
- Adhesive and seam tape environmental testing
The adhesive and accessories should not be ignored. Many odor complaints in sports surface projects come from auxiliary materials rather than the turf yarn itself.
6.2 Yarn Anchorage and Pull-Out Strength
For campuses, yarn fixation matters because children may pull, rub, or interact directly with the surface.
A strong non-infill system should control:
- Yarn pull-out strength
- Backing tensile strength
- Seam bonding strength
- Edge stability
- High-use-zone durability
This helps reduce the risk of loose fibers, surface damage, or children pulling out yarns.
6.3 Surface Safety Performance
Schools should specify measurable surface performance, such as:
- Shock absorption
- Vertical deformation or equivalent cushioning performance
- Surface friction or anti-slip behavior
- Surface uniformity
- Wear resistance
- Drainage performance
- Long-term aging performance
For kindergarten areas, additional attention should be given to yarn tip softness, surface smoothness, and low-abrasion contact design.
6.4 Drainage and Base Construction
Non-infill turf cannot compensate for a poor base.
The base should meet proper flatness, strength, slope, and drainage requirements. A recommended control range may include:
- Flatness: commonly controlled within ≤3 mm under a 3 m straightedge for high-quality school fields
- Base strength: suitable concrete, asphalt, or engineered base, such as C25 or project-specific equivalent
- Drainage slope and permeability: designed according to site conditions
- Edge and seam protection: inspected and accepted before use
Good base construction ensures that the advantages of non-infill turf are not weakened by water accumulation, uneven settlement, or poor edge treatment.
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