Welcome Brico Services

• Sponsor: Brico Services
• Author: Emma Street

Brico services is a Canadian based supply and distribution company specializing in imported landscape/building supplies and equipment, and is the western Canadian distributor for Porous Pave Inc. Porous Pave was originally introduced in the U.S., and has now made its way to Canada in recent years.

Porous Pave is a non-flammable, non-toxic, pour in place, porous paving material, made from recycled rubber tires, and is ADA compliant. The tightly controlled shredding process removes 99% of the steel fragments. This results in approximately 300 tires saved from the landfill, for every 1000 square feet. It is then mixed with a stone aggregate, and a strong, moisture cured binder. This forms an unbelievable strong and porous material, designed for any pedestrian or low speed vehicle traffic, and is ideal for trails, paths, tree surrounds, driveways and parking lots. Or with a soft, all rubber mixture, ideal for playgrounds, outdoor showers, and pool surrounds.

Porous Pave Inc. strives for an environmental sustainable and eco-friendly product. For instance, unlike asphalt or concrete paving, Porous Pave allows water to soak into the ground, eliminating problems associated with standing water, such as water damage to surfaces and adjacent walls, and preventing mosquito breeding grounds.

Conventional paving sends polluted runoff into storm drains, rivers and streams. Porous Pave allows runoff to soak into the ground so natural filtration can occur. Porous Pave is committed to help solve problems in areas such as, erosion, soil stabilization, rain water runoff, root intrusion, and environmentally sensitive areas, as well as reduces storm water retention needs, such as: water retention ponds, canals, dams and levees.

Porous Pave has had numerous tests performed by independent, certified labs, including:

• SPLP (1312) – all material components were below groundwater maximum contaminant levels
• Permeability test – approximately 6,312 gallons of water per hour, per square foot
• Porosity test – up to 29% void space

• Critical fall test – the maximum critical fall height of 2″ Porous Pave XLS was determined at 4′ or 7′ when used with 2″ weatherproof foam under Porous Pave material
  • Compression – compressed to 0.103″ under 20,000 pound load and recovered to 0.035″ after three hours
  • NFPA fire rating – Class ‘C’
  • ASTM D-2047 Slip resistant test

Porous Pave™ can qualify for several different categories of LEED points depending on the application. Different areas where LEED points could be earned through the use of Porous Pave:

• Sustainable Sites: Storm Water Design, Quantity Control
• Innovation and Design Process: Innovation in Design
• Materials and Resources: Recycled Content, Regional Materials

 

Porous Pave offers less material waste, as it can be installed over existing surfaces. It is a less labor intensive installation than comparable playground surface, and is mixed on site and applied quickly in a single pour with minimal equipment, resulting in less stress to the surrounding environment. While the material cost for Porous Pave is very similar to other permeable products, the installation and base prep is considerably less thereby making it faster, easier and more profitable to install than other permeable surfacing materials. Due to the high rubber content of Porous Pave it is very flexible. This allows the material to move, even during cold Canadian winters, without cracking and reduces the amount of base prep needed under it.

 

As part of Porous Pave Inc.’s commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly building products, we have recently joined the:

American Public Garden Association

& the U.S. Green Building Council

 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and its community are changing the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. We believe in better buildings; places that complement our environment and enhance our communities. Places that give people better, brighter, healthier spaces to live, work and play. Green building is a win-win, offering both environmental and economic opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future demand for energy in the United States and a commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million jobs.

Brico Services are currently in the process of establishing Canadian Certification and affiliations but the advantage to the environment is clear. We’re proud to have Brico Services and PorousPave as sponsors.