Surface Condition
Review fiber matting, loose debris, contamination, discoloration, burns, tears and visible wear areas.
Infill
Check depth, distribution, migration, low spots and compaction indicators at repeatable high-use and representative locations.
Seams & Inlays
Inspect for separation, lifting, loose edges and line movement; record the exact location and surrounding condition.
Perimeter & Transitions
Review edge attachment, access transitions and visible drainage transitions without assuming a subsurface cause.
High-Wear Zones
Include midfield, goal mouths, hash areas, sidelines, penalty areas and base paths where appropriate to the field.
Documentation
Capture photos, a field map, measurements, testing records when applicable, prior repairs and available maintenance history.
Walk a repeatable route
Use the same general field route each time so high-use zones, sidelines, perimeter edges, goal areas, midfield and sport-specific features are not missed. Repeatable photo locations can make changes easier to see over time.
Record what is known and what is not
Capture the field age, manufacturer/system if known, infill type if known, recent maintenance and any prior testing. If that information is unavailable, say so rather than guessing. Unknown system details can change how confidently a maintenance method should be prescribed.
Create priorities, not just observations
A useful inspection separates immediate hazards or repair concerns, near-term maintenance items, monitoring items and capital-planning issues. That makes the report actionable for facilities staff who have to decide what happens next and what budget source may apply.
Use this as a planning resource
STMG resources are written for facility owners and field managers seeking practical information about synthetic athletic-field maintenance, inspection and testing. Manufacturer requirements and project-specific conditions should always be considered when making field-care decisions.
References & Industry Guidance
ASTM F1936 addresses field impact attenuation. The Synthetic Turf Council guidelines provide general owner-focused maintenance guidance. The current field-manufacturer maintenance manual and project warranty documents remain primary field-specific references.
References are summarized independently and do not imply endorsement, membership or certification.