SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/726375
FACILITY & OPERATIONS 24 SportsTurf | October 2016 www.sportsturfonline.com ■ BY MARY HELEN SPRECHER THINK YOU CAN PASS THE CERTIFIED FIELD BUILDER EXAM? the ASBA's Sports Fields: A Construction and Maintenance Manual, which is available for purchase in both hard copy and electronic form. Prospective test-takers are also encour- aged to know the most current rules regarding sports fields as they pertain to various governing bodies, such as the NCAA, NFHS and so on. CERTIFICATION EXAM The certification exam is rigorous, and is designed to test an applicant's knowledge. As mentioned previously, the exam is given without the aid of any publications or resource materials, and phones, tablets and other devices may not be used while the exam is being given. The ASBA website (www.sportsbuilders.org) has a section on certification, as well as a full list of sample questions for the exam. A few follow: Which of the following would apply to the permit or building code when an application is made for field construction? 1 .distance of field from wetland 2. height of proposed lighting system 3. distance from field to property line 4. compass orientation of field Compaction of an aggregate base is measured by which of the following tests? A. force reduction B. sieve analysis C. Marshall method D. proctor The distance from center line to center line of the hashmarks across an NCAA football field is: A. 40' B. 45' C. 50' D. 53' During a sports field grow-in period, a field builder notices Poa annua beginning to grow between sod joints of a sand-based rootzone. Which of the following is the most likely cause for this infestation? A. contaminated rootzone material B. bird droppings C. seed brought in by mowing equipment D. laborers having seed on their shoes Pencils down. Want to know how you did? The ASBA's Field Builder Certification Handbook, which includes these sample questions and others, as well as answers, can be ac- cessed by going to the website and clicking on the Certifica- tion tab on the top menu bar. A drop-down menu will allow you to select which type of certification (Tennis, Track or How's your sports field construction knowledge? No, that wasn't a trick question, and it wasn't meant to trip you up. So what's the answer? Does your understanding of fields cover everything from project planning and administration to construction to marking to maintenance? Does it include an un- derstanding of the latest construction techniques? Do you know soils, drainage, base, sub-base and more? How much do you know about playing surfaces and dimensions? If you're pretty well-versed in all of the above, then here's another question: Do you think your knowledge base is good enough for you to become certified as one of the American Sports Builders Association's (ASBA) Certified Field Builders? To review, the certification program is voluntary. It was devel- oped by the ASBA to help raise professional standards and to im- prove the practice of field construction. Those who are interested in obtaining the certification must do so by passing a comprehen- sive exam on field construction and maintenance and by fulfilling prescribed standards of experience, have demonstrated a high level of expertise in field construction. ASBA's certification program for builders of sports fields takes three forms, and those interested can select the one that best meets their needs: ■ Certified Field Builder (CFB): Covers all aspects of both natural and synthetic fields ■ Certified Field Builder-Natural (CFB-N): Covers all aspects of grass fields ■ Certified Field Builder-Synthetic (CFB-S): Covers all aspects of synthetic fields Want to know what's involved in the program? Read on… APPLICATION PROCESS The application to take the test allows the prospective test-taker to show his or her eligibility; it is designed to provide a snapshot view for ASBA, illustrating the person's experience in the industry. For initial certification, field builders must demonstrate 100 eligibility points from the five areas of project planning; project administration; site, sub-grade and base work; field surface marking; and maintenance. Applicants must show work in all five categories. BACKGROUND READING While the exam (to be discussed below) is not given open- book style, those taking the test are encouraged to use reading materials to study in advance. One of the key publications is