Discover each criteria
In order to evaluate which sports floor surface to choose according to the use of a facility, ASTM International developed in 2009 a specific standard for North American market: the ASTM F2772. It is based on four criterias that together determine minimum requirements for a safe surface.
Like other international sports floor standards, ASTM F2772 sets the minimum criteria that determine whether a floor is safe and performant. It evaluates the ball's rebound, shock absorption, vertical deformation and sliding effect performance based on the needs and popular sports in North America.
A quality floor with a superior level of shock absorption will reduce the rate of joint injuries that athletes can develop over time. This type of injury, often related to overuse or too hard surface, is among the most common. High performance athletes who run, jump, change direction quickly and pivot will appreciate a surface that absorbs better and it will also be highly preferable for growing young athletes.
While a quality flooring system cannot prevent accidental injury, it will reduce the impact during falls and limit the chances of chronic injury as well as the severity of some accidents.
This criterion measures the amount of give of the surface which means the ability of the floor to adjust vertically as an athlete jumps or falls on the court. Too much vertical deformation is not ideal for high performance athletes as the floor will absorb their running energy and can feel like running in sand, which will tire the athlete. On the other hand, not enough vertical deformation is harder and could lead to injuries.
The right amount of give depends on the purpose of the facility. Your local Funktion dealer can help you determine the right surface for you.
Another major cause of injury is slipping on a surface when the surface does not have enough traction. Athletes playing basketball or tennis for example change direction quickly and they need to be able to do their movements easily on a surface that provides good traction. Conversely, a surface that is too adherent will have an effect of blocking some movements and can be dangerous, hence the importance of selecting a quality floor that meets the ASTM F2772 standard with a sliding coefficient between 80 and 110. This standard ensures that there is a good balance between sliding and traction.
However, no matter what surface you choose, daily maintenance is essential to avoid slipping on the floor and getting injured.
The last criterion of the standard is the ball rebound. It is mainly related to the practice of basketball and determines the ball’s behavior when dribbling for ideal playability. No matter where the player is on the court, he needs to be confident that the ball bounce will be the same everywhere. Rebound must be precise and uniform to allow athletes to perform with a minimum percentage of 90% compared to the rebound on concrete.
Indentation, also called punching, is actually the indentation left on the coating by localized pressure. The resistance level at the static load limit must conform to specific standards to avoid this indentation which generally refers to the test method ASTM F970 “Standard Test Method for Static Load Limit”. This method involves applying a static charge, under specified conditions, to the surface of the material in order to observe and measure the ability of the flooring to recover from indentation by measuring the footprint left.
The human eye can perceive a 2 mil indentation. ASTM F970 does not mean that there is no indentation in the product, on the contrary, it defines the acceptable amount. That is, less than 5 mils.
This method requires a standard test load in pounds per square inch (PSI), depending on the type of flooring. This charge is applied for 24 hours to an uninstalled product piece. The sample is then left to stand for another 24 hours after which the depth of the indentation created by the load is then measured. To pass the ASTM F970 test, the value must be less than 5 mils after 24 hours of rest.
Although ASTM F970 is the industry standard, it is common to see modified tests where a much higher load has been used. This does not mean that the product is stronger as there is no approved test to refer to above a 250 pounds per square inch (PSI) charge. This type of test is outside the scope of the method, and published results are often marked with an asterisk to note the deviation.
In short, the decision on which flooring to choose, with regard to the impact of static load, should not come down to just testing with the highest pressure. It is important to make sure you understand how the material was tested, because if the two floors have not been tested by ASTM F970, the results are unlikely to be comparable.
