Grass and concrete paving is often specified for use on fire and emergency access routes. In many cases, however, it is without reference to whether it will actually work and often on the premise that “it may never get used” as the justification for a low cost, low specification precast product.

We are happy to detail, therefore, GRASSCRETE under commissioning use by the local fire authority on this project. With the low lying poorly-drained ground, the self-draining capability coupled to the unique load bearing capability of a cellular reinforced concrete surface was the determining factor in design.

These advantages were, however, gained without financial penalty. By eliminating kerb edges required with precast blocks and by reducing the sub-base depth, Grasscrete proved to be more than competitive in constructed cost against precast. When considering whole life cost, this was even more the case. Precast units would undoubtedly have required rebedding after prolonged or concentrated usage particularly under those of operational equipment (see below).