The International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF), the international body controlling athletics throughout the world, has introduced a certification scheme for athletic equipment, implements and installations. For running tracks the specifications and tests can be summarised as follows:
Track Specifications:
1.1 Imperfections
No surface imperfections such as bubbles, fissures, delaminations etc shall be acceptable.
1.2 Surface flatness
No localised bumps greater than 6mm below 4 m straight edge, 3 mm below 1 m edge.
1.3 Surface thickness
Surface shall be at least 12 mm – nowhere less than 10 mm
1.4 Force Reduction
Berlin Athlete value must be greater than 35 %
1.5 Modified Vertical Deformation
Stuttgart Athlete value must lie between 0.6 and 1.8 mm
1.6 Friction
Must be greater than 0.5 wet as measured by the BTRRL friction tester .
1.7 Tensile Properties
Minimun tensile strengths: Porous 0.4 MPa, Non-Porous 0.5 MPa
1.8 Colour
Uniform to one position of the Methuen Handbook of Colour
1.9 Drainage
Must drain of excess water in less than 20 min.
