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IS 16740:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for synthetic sports surfaces - general requirements and test methods for indoor and outdoor sports facilities. This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for synthetic surfaces used in indoor and outdoor sports facilities. It covers key performance criteria such as shock absorption, friction, and ball rebound to ensure player safety and playability. The code provides a classification system for different floor types and detailed performance tables for various applications like athletic tracks and multipurpose courts.
Specifies general requirements and test methods for synthetic sports surfaces used in various indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Swimming Pools and Sports Facilities
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The performance of the final surface is highly dependent on the quality and preparation of the sub-base; this aspect (Clause 4.3) should not be overlooked.
! This standard is heavily harmonized with European Norms (EN 14904 for indoor, EN 14877 for outdoor); referring to these can provide additional context.
! Always select the surface type (Point-elastic, Area-elastic, etc.) and check requirements from the corresponding table (Tables 1-5) based on the primary sport to be played on the surface.
EN 14904:2006CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Surfaces for sports areas - Indoor surfaces for multi-sports use - Specification
Covers the indoor multi-sport surface requirements which are a major part of IS 16740.
EN 14877:2013CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Synthetic surfaces for outdoor sports areas - Specification
Covers the outdoor synthetic surface requirements, mirroring the other major part of IS 16740.
ASTM F2772-11(2017)ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for Athletic Performance Properties of Indoor Sports Floor Systems
Focuses on performance properties for indoor sports floors, similar to the indoor scope of IS 16740.
BS 7044-4:1991BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
LowWithdrawn
Artificial sports surfaces. Part 4: Specification for surfaces for multi-sports use
An older, withdrawn British standard that was a precursor to the more comprehensive EN standards.
Key Differences
≠IS 16740 is a single comprehensive standard covering both indoor and outdoor synthetic surfaces, whereas the primary European equivalents are split into two separate standards: EN 14904 for indoor and EN 14877 for outdoor.
≠IS 16740 includes specific artificial aging test protocols tailored to Indian climatic conditions, which can involve higher UV exposure and humidity levels compared to the standard cycles specified in EN standards designed for European climates.
≠While many test methods are harmonized, IS 16740 may reference Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specific methods for basic material properties (e.g., density, hardness) alongside international test methods.
≠The classification of surfaces within IS 16740 is streamlined for the Indian context and may not directly map one-to-one with the more granular classifications found in some EN standards (e.g., Point Elastic P1/P2/P3, Area Elastic A3/A4).
Key Similarities
≈All standards are fundamentally focused on the same core sport-functional and safety-related properties: shock absorption, vertical deformation, ball rebound, friction, and rotational resistance.
≈There is a high degree of harmonization in test apparatus. IS 16740 specifies the use of the 'Artificial Athlete' (Berlin model) for testing shock absorption and vertical deformation, which is the same equipment required by EN 14904 and EN 14877.
≈The primary objective across all these standards is to ensure athlete safety by defining minimum shock absorption to reduce impact forces and specifying a safe range for friction to prevent slips or joint-locking injuries.
≈All standards specify requirements for basic material characteristics like wear resistance (using Taber Abraser), indentation resistance, and resistance to chemical spills, ensuring the durability and longevity of the surface.