Post by ianh on Jun 11, 2010 16:23:54 GMT 1
NATIONAL GROUND GRADING - CATEGORY F
(appropriate to NLS Step 5)
(appropriate to NLS Step 5)
NB When considering any developments of the ground to comply with the requirements of this grade, clubs are recommended to bear in mind the criteria for higher gradings which might be achieved for minimal additional expense.
1. GROUND
The ground must give an overall appearance and impression of being a football ground suitable for the National League System.
It must be possible for spectators to view the match, either standing or seated, for the full length of at least 3 sides of the playing area but see also para 2.1. Where any side is designated as spectator free, measures must be in place to ensure there is no unauthorised access.
The club must disclose plans and details of any proposed future move to a new stadium to both the league of which it is in membership and The Football Association.
1.1 Security of Tenure
Where a club does not own the freehold of their ground, evidence of adequate security of tenure must be provided.
1.2 Ground Share
Ground sharing is permitted in accordance with the provisions of individual league rules and regulations.
1.3 Capacity
There is no minimum safe capacity at this level but a club should be mindful that the minimum requirement for Grade E is 1000.
1.4 Boundary of Ground
The ground must be enclosed by a permanent boundary.The minimum height, when measured from outside the ground, should be 1.83 metres. It should be noted that at higher grades the boundary fence should be of a construction to prevent viewing from outside the ground.
In certain circumstances one or two sides of the ground, where it adjoins private land/property, may be exempt from the need for a permanent boundary.
1.5 Clubhouse
There must be a clubhouse facility either on or adjacent to the ground, which should be open on match days to provide refreshments to spectators.
1.6 Car Parking
There should be adequate car parking facilities on or adjacent to the ground. Car parking within the ground may not be acceptable
1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier
Subject to the provisions detailed below, there must be a permanent fixed barrier 1.1 m high, of sound construction (eg concrete and steel) and free from all sharp edges, surrounding the pitch on all sides that may be occupied by spectators. Existing barriers/rails not at 1.1m high may be acceptable, provided they meet the requirements.
The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction may be infilled. Advertising boards are acceptable as a means of infill.
There must be a minimum of 1.83 metres, ideally 2 metres, between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier.
Immediately in front of an area of seated accommodation the boundary of the playing area may be indicated by means other than a permanent fixed barrier, provided the Club is able to provide assurances that no spectator be allowed to stand in this area to watch the match.
The Club must implement a safety management system to ensure this and also to protect the integrity of the playing area.
1.8 Pitch Standards
The playing surface must be grass, and must be of a high standard. It must be level and free from surface depressions and excessive undulations.
The maximum slope allowable shall not exceed an even gradient of vertical to horizontal 1: 41 in any direction.
The playing surface must be maintained to the highest possible standards.
1.9 Playing Area
The playing area is to be a minimum of 100 metres x 64 metres
Goalposts and goal net supports must be of professional manufacture and conform to the current safety requirements
1.10 Technical Area
Two covered trainers’ boxes clearly marked “Home” and “Away or Visitors” must be provided unless adequate provision is made in a seated stand. They should be on the same side of the pitch either side of the halfway line, ideally both equidistant from it and a minimum of 3 metres apart and provide an unobstructed view of the playing area.
Each box must accommodate at least 8 persons on fixed seats or benches. Where bench seating is provided, a minimum of 0.5 m must be allowed for each person (i.e. 8 persons require a minimum of 4 metres.).
A Technical Area must be marked out, as defined within the Laws of the Game.
1.11 Secure Walkway
Clubs must provide for safe unimpeded passage for players and match officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch. The use of protection designed products such as retractable tunnels or permanent structures to separate spectators and players/officials is recommended.
The design of the safe walkway will inevitably differ from ground to ground and it will rarely guarantee the safe passage of players and match officials unless supplemented by stewards. A club should implement procedures appropriate to the particular structure and be ready to respond to on the field situations which might affect spectator behaviour.
1.12 Floodlighting
Floodlights must be provided to an average lux reading of 120. No single reading can be less than one quarter of the highest reading so as to ensure an even spread of light.
The lux values must be tested every two years in accordance with current guidelines by an approved independent contractor.
When new or improved installations are being planned, an average lux reading of 180 must be provided.
1.13 Public Address System
A public address system must be provided which is clearly audible in all those areas of the ground which can be occupied by spectators.
1.14 Entrances
There must be at least 1 fully operational turnstile or a pay box where a charge for entry to the ground can be taken. In both cases consideration must be given to the structure affording protection to the operator.
1.15 Exits
The location and number of ground exits must be approved by a competent person All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with “running man” signs, and are to be kept clear and free from obstructions.
1.16 Lighting
Whilst their installation is strongly recommended, emergency lighting is not a grading requirement. Clubs are reminded that they have a responsibility to ensure the safety of spectators entering, leaving and moving about the ground and, if a ground is used in non-daylight hours, adequate artificial lighting should be provided. Further, consideration must be given by a club to its procedures in the event of a power failure.
1.17 Adjoining Pitches
Where deemed that they are likely to interfere with the playing of a match, ball games will not be played on adjoining pitches whilst a match is in progress.
1.18 Emergency Access
Access must be provided for the emergency services and maintained free from obstruction.
2. SPECTATOR FACILITIES
2.1 Spectator Accommodation
Covered accommodation, which should preferably be on 2 sides of the ground, must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. Existing timber stands are only acceptable subject to fire assessment.
The minimum covered accommodation must be 200, of which at least 100 must be seated. These seats may be located in two stands, each with a minimum capacity of 50. Whilst individual seats are preferred, bench seating may be permitted provided that it is in good repair and that individual spaces (min 500mm) are clearly marked. These 100 seats must afford a good view of the pitch and be clean, functional and in good condition. There must be a minimum of 16 seats provided for Directors/Committee and guests. These seats must be clearly marked “Home” and “Away Directors”. Additional seating may be provided in other areas of the ground. However, these seats are not to be classed as being “in lieu” of the number shown above.
Standing spectators are not allowed in or near a seated spectator stand where they can obstruct views. Areas where spectators are not permitted to stand must be clearly marked with yellow hatched markings.
Hard standing to a minimum width of 0.9 metres, measured from the spectator side of the pitch perimeter barrier, must be provided on 3 sides of the ground. Existing athletics stadia may be exempt from this requirement. The surface must be of a bound material.
NB Where the facility is shared with cricket, hard standing on a minimum of two and a half sides may be acceptable.
2.2 Press Seating
There is no requirement for dedicated press seating.
2.3 Terracing
All terracing must be in a sound condition. Terracing that is crumbling, has grass/weeds growing through it or has broken or loose concrete will not be accepted.
2.4 Toilets
Toilets must be located within the ground and must be accessible to both male and female spectators. NB Where it is necessary to exit the ground to gain access to toilets located in an adjacent clubhouse, these may be deemed acceptable, provided no great distance is involved.
The following minimum toilet facilities must be provided:
Male: 2 urinals or equivalent and 1 WC
Female: 2 WC’s
In addition, wash hand basins, with running water, warm air hand driers and/or paper towels, together with a supply of toilet paper, must be provided in each toilet area. . Whilst replaceable linen roller
towels in a cabinet are acceptable, individual hand towels are not permitted The provision of toilet facilities within a clubhouse will be acceptable if these are accessible and available at all times on match days. Otherwise, these facilities may be of the temporary or mobile kind but should be connected to the mains supply and be fully accessible with permanent access.
All toilet areas must be in working order, with a roof and operational lighting, supplied with toilet paper and maintained to a high level of cleanliness.
2.5 Refreshment Facilities
2.5.1 Directors/Committee/Guests
A separate room or reserved area must be made available in which refreshments for Directors/Committee and guests can be served.
2.5.2 Ground Refreshment Facilities
Refreshment facilities must be provided at the ground or in an adjacent clubhouse (See 2.4 Toilets). These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile type.
2.6 Disabled Facilities
No specific requirement is currently included in the ground grading criteria but The Football Association strongly recommends that access is provided to both a covered viewing area and toilet and refreshment facilities.
3. DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES
3.1 Players
Separate dressing rooms must be provided for both teams within the enclosed area of the ground. The dressing rooms must be of sound construction and be of a permanent nature. Existing dressing
room dimensions will be acceptable provided they are a minimum of 12 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Where clubs are planning to build new dressing rooms these must be a
minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas.
Each dressing room must have the following:
A shower area comprising of at least 4 showerheads
1 wash hand basin located outside the shower area
(All the above must have hot and cold running water)
At least 1 WC
There must be a cushioned treatment table which is clean and in good condition in each dressing room unless there is a separate medical room available for the use of both teams.
3.2 Match Officials
The size of the match official’s dressing room must be a minimum of 4 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. When new dressing rooms are being constructed the match officials’ room
should be a minimum of 6 square metres in size, excluding shower and toilet areas.
Each match officials’ dressing room must have the following:
At least 1 shower
At least 1 WC and 1 wash hand basin
Provision should be made for separate dressing rooms for both male and female match officials.
Where new dressing rooms are being constructed or existing are being re-designed, separate purpose built facilities for both male and female match officials must be provided.
There must be an audible electronic warning device (bell or buzzer) in working order located in the match officials’ dressing room, and which is linked to the players’ dressing rooms.
All dressing room areas must be maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and be heated, well ventilated, free from damp and secure on match days.
4. MEDICAL
All clubs must provide first aid equipment, including a stretcher, for the use of players and spectators. Its location in the ground, if other than in a dedicated treatment room, should be clearly marked by notices placed in the dressing rooms for teams and match officials.
There must be a nominated and suitably qualified person (minimum FA Emergency Aid Course) in attendance to assist with spectator problems unless the St John Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross
Society or other capable agency are in attendance. The requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports
Grounds are for one first aider per 1000 anticipated spectators, with a minimum of two.
NB The above in no way purports to be a comprehensive list of Health and Safety issues which it is the responsibility of a club to address. Clubs are recommended to arrange regular safety audits
conducted by persons with the appropriate expertise.