Sports Surfaces UK Ltd

The UK has been leading the pack with Germany, Austria, France, Scandinavian countries and Holland following closely. The expectation is that all member states will transfer to the EN 14904 in the course of 2007. 

The Major differences between the EN14904 and each country’s own standard (UK standard was British Standard BS 7044 Park 4 Designated Impact Energy Absorbing) are the environmental issues and the fire testing. It is no longer sufficient to pass a laboratory test, manufacturers must provide proof of constant Quality Control.  Unfortunately testing takes time and there obviously is a peak in the workload of the testing labs. 

Pulastic EN14904 Updated Newsletter April 2006

Pulastic EN14904 Updated Newsletter January 2007

Pulastic and Sika Descol Certification programme 

Pulastic and Sika Descol have finalised the initial environmental tests and the fire testing of different compounds. Pulastic also meets the factory production control requirements with their ISO 9001-2000 certification. 

Pulastic and Sika Descol have made an agreement with the Dutch laboratory ISA Sport, which is an accredited laboratory linked to the Netherlands Sports Federation Netherlands Olympic Committee, to execute the initial testing for the formal certification of the current Pulastic sports flooring systems. These certificates will be valid throughout Europe for all EN 14904 criteria. 

Based on pre-testing we can safely say that all current Pulastic floors with a minimum shock absorption of 25 % will comply and therefore be certified. Sika Descol aim to have our certification process finished in the course of the first quarter of 2007. 

Pulastic 2000 meets the current standard in the UK and is indeed classified as “non impact energy absorbing” according to the BS 7044. This does not mean that the floor does not give any shock absorption. The RAPRA report of our Pulastic 2000 (7+2) shows a shock absorption of 31% at room temperature. The classification “impact energy absorbing” just means that you reach one certain value and you either pass or fail. It is up to a buyer to decide if he specifies this minimum requirement. This means it is possible to be approved as an “non impact energy absorbing” floor according BS 7044 when you pass on all other minimum requirements. 

Within Europe the resiliency test according BS 7044 was not accepted because it does not give any information on the actual performance of a floor. The DIN method was accepted and will be used in the new EN 14904 with a minimum requirement of 25 %. We currently specify 29 % for the Pulastic 2000 (7+2) when installed directly on a concrete or screed subfloor.

Sports Surfaces (UK) Ltd is an “Ancillary Contractor” Member of The Sports and Play Construction Association.  We believe that it is important to fully back SAPCA in its promotion of High Standards for Sports Facilities.

SAPCA Membership Certificate