Area Elastic v Point Elastic

Sports Flooring Information
Area Elastic v Point Elastic
www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
AREA ELASTIC v POINT ELASTIC
What are the Characteristics of an Area Elastic or Point Elastic Sports Floor?
We are often asked why choose an area elastic sports floor over a point elastic sports floor system. Below we
illustrate the three types of sports floor system and briefly describe their characteristics with regard to shock
absorption and vertical deformation – these are key elements for the protection of an athlete playing on a
sports floor system and reduce the risk of injury.
AREA ELASTIC
Area elastic floors deflect any
impact over a much wider
area and have much greater
shock absorption and vertical
deformation than a typical point
elastic system.
POINT ELASTIC
COMBINED ELASTIC
Point elastic systems have less
shock absorption as the deflection
only occurs at or close to the
point of impact and little vertical
deformation occurs.
An area-elastic floor combined with
a point-elastic top layer. Applying
a point force causes both localised
deflection and deflection over a
wider area.
Typical construction of a Point Elastic and Area Elastic Sports Floor System
POINT ELASTIC
AREA ELASTIC
n
n
n
n
n
Point Elastic
Latex
Epoxy DPM
Screed to +/- 3mm over 3m
Ground Bearing Slab
A point elastic system comprises either a rubber
pad finished with seamless polyurethane or a dense
foam finished with a cushioned vinyl.
The thickness can vary between 7mm and 16mm,
depending on the desired performance. A point
elastic system must be installed onto a level
subfloor (+/- 3mm over 3m).
n
n
n
n
n
n
22mm Engineered Board
15mm Plywood Beam
10mm Foam
Packing to Suit Void
Damp Proof Membrane
Ground Bearing Slab
An area elastic system can be constructed in 2
ways, the most popular is using a beam system.
The system can also be finished with a choice of
timber or synthetic surfaces. An area elastic system
can be installed with underfloor heating and on an
even subfloor.
0117 301 5120 | www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
AREA ELASTIC v POINT ELASTIC
Cost Comparison between Area Elastic and Point Elastic Sports Floor Systems
Although perceived to be much cheaper a point elastic sports floor system can actually work out more
expensive than a good quality area elastic sports floor system.
As noted previously a point elastic system will require a level slab, which will generally mean a levelling screed,
a more expensive liquid DPM and possibly latex layer. These additional cost may turn what appears to be a
cheaper solution to one that is more expensive. An area elastic system that is built off the structural slab with a
visqueen DPM also offers a saving in construction time and can accommodate insulation and underfloor heating
between the beams.
In addition to the above a heavy duty surface protection system such as carpet tiles should be factored into the
costs of a point elastic system. Typical costs would be £12/m2.
Durability of a Point Elastic System
A point elastic floor system which comprises a dense foam and cushioned vinyl finish can suffer more easily
from seam failure and tearing due to the “cushioning” within the surface. Point elastic systems made up from a
rubber pad and finished in a seamless polyurethane have greater durability.
These floors include a depth of surface material which makes them unsuitable for any situations where there
are high point loadings. This means tables and chairs - imagine the forces imposed by someone leaning back
in a chair with poor protection to the feet – the floor surface is easily punctured – the same can happen with
stiletto heels.
A heavy duty surface protection system can help such as carpet tiles but this only works for non-sporting
situations. Dance and drama with a piano in a hall is commonplace - the piano may damage the floor. Heavy
gym equipment and trampolines will also damage the floor.
One can therefore understand why the warranty period is significantly less than the 25 years offered for an area
elastic sports floor system.
0117 301 5120 | www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
AREA ELASTIC v POINT ELASTIC
Classification of Area and Point Elastic Floors
All area and point elastic sports floors must meet the EN14904 standard. In doing so they are further classified,
based on their vertical deformation and shock absorption performance, as P1, P2 and P3 for point elastic floors
or A3 and A4 for area elastic floors.
Below is a table showing the vertical deformation and shock absorption characteristics that each type of point
and area elastic system must meet under the EN14904 standard. Based on this table An A4 or P3 floor provides
the highest performance in each category. A combined floor can provide the benefits of both.
Vertical Deformation (mm)
Area
Elastic (A)
Combined
Elastic (C)
Shock Absorption (%)
Point
Elastic (P)
Area
Elastic (A)
Combined
Elastic (C)
Point
Elastic (P)
1
≤2.0
1
≥25 <35
2
≤3.0
2
≥35 <45
≤3.5
3
≥40 <55
≥45 <55
4
≥55 <75
≥55 <75
3
≥1.8 <3.5
≥1.8 <5.0
(P ≥0.5 <2.0)
4
≥2.3 <5.0
≥2.3 <5.0
(P ≥0.5 <2.0)
≥45
P - The vertical deformation of the point-elastic component.
Vertical deformation and shock absorption are not the only characteristics of the EN14904 standard, all floors
must also achieve the following, regardless of their classification:
n Friction – A floor must be between 80 and 110 under a pendulum test.
n Vertical ball behaviour – A floor must be ±90% of the rebound height on concrete using a basketball.
n Resistance to a rolling load - the minimum resistance shall be 1,500N
0117 301 5120 | www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
AREA ELASTIC v POINT ELASTIC
Discrimination
When choosing your sports floor system you must ensure you do not discriminate against any potential
participants, both able bodied or suffering any disability.
We highlight the issues you should consider in the following sections.
The Equality Act 2010
The Building Regulations 2010
CDM 2007
The Equality Act makes it unlawful
to discriminate against wheelchair
participants, stating,
The Building Regulations 2010
have been written alongside the
Equality Act to ensure that disabled
people aren’t discriminated against
with regard to new or refurbished
buildings.
The Construction Design and
Management (CDM) was
introduced in 2007 with the aim of
improving the health of safety of
people involved with new buildings,
such users of new as sports
facilities.
“The responsible body must not
discriminate against a pupil in
the way it provides education for
the pupil; in the way it affords the
pupil access to a benefit, facility
or service [and] by not providing
education for the pupil”
“All people to have access to, and
the use of, all the facilities provided
within the buildings.”
The act states that it is the
designers duty to “eliminate
hazards which may give rise to
risks”
Sport England
Sports Governing Bodies
Local Council Guidance
Sport England are firm believers in
creating equal opportunities for all
participants in sport:
Sports Governing Bodies have
also produced documents and
information about what is required
from a facility. England Badminton,
for example, provide design
guidance notes stating:
Many local councils have
published guidance documents,
in conjunction with the Equality
Act and Building Regulations,
on disabled access for disabled
participants within their local area.
“The design of any new sports
facility should take account of
the needs of disabled people…
Most court surfaces are suitable,
but softer surfaces are generally
unpopular with players using sports
chairs because of the higher rolling
resistance - a wooden floor is
preferred.”
Oxford Council are an example of
this and have published their own
document stating that within new
facilities:
“Everyone is entitled to equal
opportunities to participate in
sport, and to do so in high quality
facilities that are attractive, well
designed and properly managed.”
Sport England also state that:
“No one sports surface will suit
all indoor sports – a compromise
is required between safety,
performance and operational
factors”
0117 301 5120 | www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
“The floor surface should be level,
slip resistant and not impede the
movement of wheelchair or crutch
users.”
AREA ELASTIC v POINT ELASTIC
Which Floor Should I Choose?
In a multi-use, multi-sport environment, an A4 area elastic sports floor system should always be the preferred
choice. It gives enhanced performance, greater shock absorption and therefore reduces injury to the athlete.
In specific instances and for specific sports the choice maybe more obvious. Sitting volleyball prefer a
combination floor, comprising an area elastic system finished with a point elastic vinyl; FIBA insist on a timber
A4 floor to meet their level 1 standard.
If planned into your project at the design stage an area elastic sports floor will give rise to reduced construction
costs and may reduce the construction program. An area elastic surface is also the recommended choice by
Sport England and it’s suitable for all sporting participants, including wheelchairs, and can be used for nonsporting events.
In addition an area elastic system will typically come with a longer warranty than a point elastic system.
If it is intended to let out the facility as an income generator, then the amount of revenue received is directly
linked to the performance of the floor. Clubs are becoming much more selective as to where they play and
have a much wider choice than they had a few years ago. It is therefore worth ensuring you choose a high
performance floor.
0117 301 5120 | www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk
Flooring Systems from Dynamik Sports Floors
Academy Sports Floor
London Sports Floor
The Academy system is a cost effective
solution which we would recommend for
installations where under floor heating is to
be installed or where the sub-floor is uneven.
The London sports floor system
accommodates a choice of synthetic surfaces,
using elastic beams that can be levelled thus
removing the need for a levelling floor screed,
simplifying installation and reducing overall
cost.
Helsinki
Sports Floor
Athen
Sports Floor
Point Elastic
Sports Floors
Using the same elastic
layer system as Athen, our
Helsinki sports floor gives
the same ideal consistency of
ball bounce, and is finished
with a hardwood wear layer.
The Athen sports floor is our
flagship area elastic sprung
sports floor, with consistent
ball bounce across the floor
and accommodates a wide
range of synthetic playing
surfaces.
We offer a range of point
elastic sports floors which
can either be laid in situ,
comprising of a rubber pad
and a seamless PU finish,
or alternatively a range
of factory manufactured
cushioned vinyls.
T 0117 301 5120
E [email protected]
Dynamik Sports Floors
Unit 10, Enterprise Trade Centre
Roman Farm Road, Hengrove Way
Bristol BS4 1UN
www.dynamiksportsfloors.co.uk