​Importance of Commercial Plumbing in Football Stadiums

Several components are involved in commercial plumbing systems that require professional maintenance and care. All commercial plumbing contractors working on repairs, installations, and general work have higher certifications due to the magnitude of service needed in more extensive structures and buildings - including football stadiums.

The organization of a large building complex - such as a sports stadium - requires intricate planning and clear task delegation among specialists to ensure the critical success of the domed structure. Commercial plumbing alone is meticulous enough, but when the level of difficulty rises when dealing with football stadiums.

Common Commercial Plumbing Systems Issues

Since commercial plumbing systems are significantly more prominent, with several people using the fixtures at once, there is an increased likelihood of plumbing-related issues. These are some of the most common problems that many commercial spaces, including stadiums, have to deal with:

• Leaks – When leaking issues occur, the problem can escalate quickly. Flood damage, rotting, and molding can be some of the outcomes of serious leaks. Along with water bills increasing, toilets, pipes, and taps being cracked/ damaged can lead to this dilemma.
• Low Water Pressure – The water valve being tampered with or turned off resulted in low water pressure. Additionally, clogged pipes and leaks may interfere with how much water travels through the pipes and where to.
• High Water Pressure – High water pressure can damage pipes, so if identified that the pressure is higher than regular reporting, it quickly is essential.
• Sewage Smells – Pipes below ground that dry up can cause terrible smells throughout the building. It can be detrimental for businesses and other facilities and should be dealt with soon as possible.
• Hot Water System Issues – The more complex and larger hot water systems experience more stress than regular residential systems. When issues happen, quick repairs must occur because hot water being unavailable is never wanted.
• Water Backflow – When water backflows, it is highly unhealthy depending on the contaminants/ waste.
• Blocked Drains – when clogs occur, which are easily avoidable, stop using appliances and cause other issues.

The commercial plumbing systems in football stadiums, in particular, must be able to meet the demands at all times sufficiently. Plumbing regulations in massive domes such as this are stringent since even the slightest plumbing issue can shut down the entire stadium for days and even weeks.

Sports Field Drainage Systems

Aside from efficient plumbing, a reliable football field drainage system is another critical requirement in football stadiums. A well-maintained grass field usually contains impervious soil. Therefore, you must implement an adequate provision for supplementary drainage to meet the needs of the intended use.

The ideal football field slope must have at least a 1-2% slope. The highest point is usually about 10-18” above the lowest point on the field. The football field crown is substantially the most effective way to remove surface water because they move water the shortest distance possible.

Sports field drainage design has dramatically evolved over the years from simple plastic pipes to high-grade drainage technology. Today, a dependable soccer field drainage system is crucial to maintaining soil structure as it eliminates water buildup to ensure the success of the sporting event. When the excess water efficiently flows away from the field instead of saturating the soil, the drainage system can significantly extend the lifespan of the sports field.

Pitch Construction

Football pitches are among the most integral components of the sport, yet it is also one of the most overlooked elements of football. The playing field must be rectangular and marked with continuous lines. A full-size pitch may be 50-100 yards in width and 100-130 yards in length.

Pitch construction falls into four preliminary designs based on the drainage system used:

• Undrained pitches
• Pipe-drained pitches
• Pipe and slit-drained pitches
• Suspended water table pitches

A standard football pitch requires a minimum of 50,000 liters of water per application. Clubs are responsible for thoroughly inspecting the field before the training or game commences.

Commercial Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

The urgency in addressing plumbing damages is significantly higher in stadiums. Due to the increased usage volume, plumbing systems in sporting facilities can quickly deteriorate due to constant wear and tear. Regardless of the type of establishment, preventive maintenance and inspection are crucial to ensure that the athletes can play undisturbed.

Here is a recommended maintenance checklist for football stadiums:

• Checking the water pressure
• Fix leaks when identified
• Signs of rust and corrosion
• Inspect the water heater
• Backflow testing
• Checking the efficiency of valves
• Check the drains
• Regularly inspect all fittings to ensure the system is operating correctly.
• Repair faulty or malfunctioning equipment
• Replace or repair malfunctioning nozzles
• Redirect sprays and sprinklers if watering areas outside the irrigation area
• Adjust strategies that are not delivering uniform irrigation
• Maintain a historical record of watering schedules for future reference and ongoing improvement

Plumbing work in stadium construction is not to be taken lightly. Soccer stadiums are built with state-of-the-art materials and systems to withstand the weight of thousands of people. There is absolutely no room for error; therefore, the commercial plumbing team assigned to design and install the plumbing system must be highly proficient with the proper accreditation and license.

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