TÜV-certified grass pavers: what the ECCOdal certificate means for your project

The compressive strength of ECCOdal has been TÜV-certified in accordance with DIN 14090, the standard for drivable surfaces for the fire brigade on properties. Specifically, the grass grid can carry a total weight of up to 16 tonnes and an axle load of up to 10 tonnes. Depending on the type of infill and the quality of the sub-base, the grid can bear loads of up to 600 tonnes per m². These values serve as a reference; the actual load-bearing capacity depends on the on-site build-up. The point is that they have been tested and certified, and therefore serve as substantiation, not as a standalone promise. 

The figures translate into applications where load-bearing capacity really matters. ECCOdal is suitable for straight-through HGV traffic, for heavily loaded driveways and car parks, and for fire roads and fire service access routes. Because the standard it is tested against relates precisely to those fire service surfaces, the certificate ties in directly with a requirement that often recurs in German construction files. For an architect, that means one certified solution that covers both the green, permeable design and the required load-bearing capacity. For a contractor, it means less risk of disputes afterwards about whether the surfacing can withstand the load it is intended for. 

Load-bearing capacity alone is not enough if the material fails in frost. ECCOdal is made from a mix of recycled PE-PP that remains flexible down to -20°C. Grass pavers made from other materials can crack or deform during prolonged frost; ECCOdal does not. The integrated expansion joints also absorb thermal stresses at high summer temperatures. This keeps the structure stable all year round, from winter frost to summer heat, which makes a real difference to service life for European projects with pronounced seasons. 

Green surfacing is increasingly being chosen to depave areas and allow rainwater to infiltrate locally instead of being drained away more quickly. ECCOdal is fully permeable to water and therefore prevents pooling, while the grass maintains a green surface. The material is also 100% recycled. For clients and architects who include sustainability or the reuse of materials in their project file or sustainability report, this provides a second, demonstrable argument alongside its load-bearing capacity. 

On site, the format also matters. At 80 by 80 cm per panel, covering 0.64 m², ECCOdal covers more area per piece than most grass pavers on the market, meaning a car park or path can be laid more quickly. Yet a panel remains light enough to be handled by one person. The pavers click together via the expansion joints and can be cut to size with an angle grinder. ECCOdal is available in two heights, 4 cm (ECCOdal 40) and 5 cm (ECCOdal 50), so the build-up can be tailored to the expected load. 

A certified grass grid only delivers its load-bearing capacity if the build-up beneath it is correct, and that is exactly where the contractor makes the difference. For applications with vehicles, you start with the necessary excavation works, always removing the topsoil. This is followed by a foundation layer of at least 25 cm, made with foundation substrate that provides both load-bearing strength and nourishment for the grass, well compacted with a heavy roller. Next, you level with a laying-bed substrate of 5 cm for loading with cars, or 15 cm without a foundation layer. Only after that build-up do the grids go in. The certificate indicates the upper limit of what the grid can handle; the sub-base determines whether you actually reach that limit in practice. 

After installation, fill the grids with grass-grid substrate to about 1 cm below the edge and brush it in thoroughly. Never fill with topsoil only: it compacts too much and prevents the grass seed from germinating. Depending on use, the surface can take load after 6 to 8 weeks, and for intensive use it’s best to wait 16 weeks so the grass can grow in densely. 

The choice between the two heights depends on the expected load. ECCOdal 40 is 4 cm high and weighs 3.10 kg per slab; ECCOdal 50 is 5 cm high and weighs 3.95 kg per slab. Both share the same dimensions of 80 by 80 cm and the same certified compressive strength, and both are available in grey-green or black. For heavier or more intensively loaded areas, the taller version offers extra structural reserve, while the lower version is sufficient for lighter applications such as footpaths and garden paths. This way you can tailor the build-up to the project without compromising the certified base. 

Choosing a grass paver isn’t just choosing a product, but also choosing the arguments that support your product choice. With ECCOdal you get a green, permeable surface whose load-bearing capacity is independently certified, that withstands frost and heavy loads, and that can be installed quickly. For the architect, it’s a certified solution that stands up in the specification; for the contractor, a surface that delivers on its promise, even under heavy goods traffic. 

View the technical specifications and the certificate on the ECCOdal product page, or request the installation sheet and the TÜV certificate from our customer service team.