Unlike tires, the material being ground up into small pieces combined with
rubber dust could be more easily ignited than a solid rubber tire. Typical
coverage is about 1-3 lbs of rubber material per sq. ft. of turf.
As far as the Astro Turf, it wouldn't be considered "flammable", but
potentially combustible. You better get some vendor data on the material as
some are considered non-combustible or limited combustible. They will burn
when exposed to flame but they will extinguish when the flame is removed. So
if the rubber is burning, the turf may burn as well. You can only imagine the
off-gassing and heat release that will occur with this mixture.
I'm surprised they would use this rubber fill material with the latest concerns
over it creating respiratory problems and possibly linked to certain cancers.
They better have a top notch ventilation system as this material is most often
used outdoors and it is still reported as a problem for those who are exposed
to it.
Personally with the potential fuel loading I would not sign off on a .2/1500
for this occupancy.
"Artificial turf systems (also known as artificial/synthetic grass) have become
a popular alternative for a natural grass field. These artificial turf systems
typically include fibers comprised of polyethylene ("PE"), or other
conventional polymer based fibers (including, but not limited to polypropylene
("PP") and polyamide ("PA")), and a particulate infill that typically includes,
amongst other constituents, SBR rubber/elastomeric material. Although these
materials are structurally and aesthetically practicable, they can, in many
cases, create concerns associated with fire, and, in turn (in some systems)
dissipation of potentially toxic by-products as a result of burning.
Polymer fibers are, on their own, flammable and could result in becoming the
primary ignition fuel for a turf fire. Indeed, such fibers would burn hot and
quickly, and self-extinguish once all the polymer fuel is consumed, and could,
if not contained, burn all the way down to the infill level.
In addition to the fibers, the rubber/elastomeric component of the infill can,
with some rubber, likewise present a danger concern as the fibers burn. For
example, once ignited by the fiber fire, such rubber could actually burn longer
than the initial fiber supported fire. Accordingly, combustion of the
particular rubber could then emit significant amounts of heavy black smoke that
could be toxic in confined spaces, such as, for example, indoor athletic fields.
Many synthetic grass systems today are tested according to ASTM D 2859 and ASTM
E648, or other equivalent or similar standard testing protocols. All of these
tests can provide the purchaser of an artificial turf system with test results
that indicate whether or not the particular turf system is relatively safe.
However, many synthetic grass systems fail one or more of these tests, or are
only given a class II certification."
Craig L. Prahl
Fire Protection Group Lead
CH2MHILL
Lockwood Greene
1500 International Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Direct - 864.599.4102
Fax - 864.599.8439
CH2MHILL Extension 74102
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Chris Ellsworth
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2014 10:03 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Indoor Soccer Facility
We were contracted to do a few add/relocates on an existing concrete tee
construction facility. A flag was thrown up once we found out what was being
installed for this tenants flooring. They are using an astro turf type field.
The problem isn't with the turf itself. It has undergone extensive testing to
prove that it is not flammable. The problem is with the inlay. They have used
the type of inlay you would see on an outdoor facility which is ground up
tires. I have checked with the plant manager who supplied their product and
they do not use any type of a fire proofing spray on the product. Essentially
it is ground up tires. We have a deck height of approximately 16 feet and it
is double tee concrete construction.
The fire marshal and my concern is that the existing sprinkler system can not
handle this type of fire. I have already calced it and the best the system
could do is a .2/1500. This gives a 13 lb safety. Has anybody dealt with
anything close to this on an indoor facility and should we be concerned with
this inlay? Thanks in advance.
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