subject: Athletic & Recreational Surfacing Specs for LEED: Tennis Court Surfacing 32 18 23.53 [print this page] Athletic & Recreational Surfacing Specs for LEED: Tennis Court Surfacing 32 18 23.53
If you're an architect, you are well aware of the importance in sourcing as many products and systems that can contribute to LEED credits as possible. Some of the areas often overlooked are tennis, basketball, multipurpose courts, and playgrounds. Many times, when new schools are built and these recreational areas are paved, they are not taken full advantage of. They are left uncoated or surfaced with darker, non-reflective sealers or color coatings.
Since these projects have increased in popularity, some leading tennis court surface manufacturers are offering systems that can contribute to the LEED total. Here are a few of the most common categories these systems fall into:
SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof (SRI or Solar Reflective Index 29 or higher)
For the solar reflective index, look for acrylic colored surfaces that test at 29 or higher. Manufacturers usually note, on their color chip cards and tennis court surfacing specs, the color choices that meet this criteria. These colors better reflect rays from the sun, resulting in a cooler surface. If these lighter surfaces are used on an indoor tennis court facility, they can also help to reflect the lights and minimize the total number of lighting fixtures needed for adequate coverage. This can add to additional energy savings.
The regional materials credit is pretty clear. Look for sport surfaces that meet the sourcing criteria within 500 miles of the project. A web search for "LEED tennis court surfaces" will turn up sport surfacing products and locations that will meet the distance requirements.
Acrylic sport surfaces have very low levels of VOC's or volatile organic compounds. The EQ Credit 4.2 requires indoor floor coating VOC's to be 100 grams per liter or less. This is yet another option when a school or tennis facility has an indoor recreational area that is looking for LEED certification.
