Introduction
This standard is divided into three sections.
The first section is a general introduction to the document.
Section 2
This is the main substance of the standard and provides a general structure for a grounds maintenance organisation. The details within the document were drawn up whilst local authorities were under CCT (Compulsory Competitive Tendering) legislation, so some of the contract details may have changed within the working situation.
A large emphasis within this document is placed on the procedure to determine staffing requirements.
This is explained in detail, from
- identifying what work is required,
- categorising the work into the standard of maintenance required,
- measuring the facilities to be maintained,
- calculating the time for individual tasks,
- estimating the total number of man-hours required for the whole of the facility.
A useful observation is that the actual number of productive hours (i.e. those that are actually available for work) may be 5 - 5½ hours out of an 8 hour day.
The results of such exercises can be seen in the Institute of Groundsmanship's Labour (Workload) profiles for a Football Pitch and a Bowling Green.
A map is included which indicates the average length of the growing season for grasses in the UK and this can be used as an aid in determining a reasonably accurate estimate of the frequency of some operations, for example mowing.
Section 3
This section briefly identifies a range of criteria that may need to be considered when either designing or making alterations to facilities, whether grassed, hard surfaces or planted areas.
Appendices
Inspection checklists are included as Appendix B & C and these can be used as ideas for criteria when assessing facilities. Keeping records of such assessments can assist in determining the progressive standard of a facility over a period of time. This sort of evidence can also be used to support proposals for budget increases, improvements to areas, additional staff training etc.
A comprehensive plants for various climatic soil and environmental conditions is included as Appendix D, although similar lists can be found in a wide variety of good plant handbooks and guides.