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District’s 2021 Scheduled Synthetic Turf Field GMAX Testing to Begin

Monday, June 28, 2021
Essential protocols also set for synthetic turf fields District-wide

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Department of General Services (DGS), working with its agency partners at the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) is pleased to release the summer schedule of GMAX hardness testing for the District’s synthetic turf fields. Testing will occur between Monday, June 28th, 2021 through Wednesday July 14th. Fields will not be disturbed or closed while testing is underway, however, if a field fails impact testing, it will temporarily be taken off-line in order to make repairs. Testing dates may vary at the city’s 55 synthetic turf field locations, based on weather and field accessibility.

 

“DC is open and the Department of General Services (DGS) is once again proud to conduct GMAX synthetic turf field testing, ensuring that residents and visitors can safely enjoy these fields,” said Keith A. Anderson, Director of the Department of General Services. “Testing, maintaining, and monitoring of these fields will occur in all eight wards and updates will be provided throughout the process.”

 

GMAX testing is the standard method developed for testing and determining the shock attenuation of artificial and natural turf athletic fields. The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) International’s standard F1936-10, the most commonly used standard, established a GMAX value of 200 for the maximum allowable limit for safety.

DGS looks forward to the continued partnership with these agencies to ensure the safety of District residents and visitors and to monitor any advances in the scientific research regarding field and playground surface materials.

Additional information from the Interagency Working Group on Artificial Turf and Playgrounds is available here.

 

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