From upmarket residential driveways to municipal walkways and large commercial developments paving is one of the most visible and commonly used elemen
From upmarket residential driveways to municipal walkways and large commercial developments paving is one of the most visible and commonly used elements in South Africa’s built environment.
Due to the area it covers and its “under-your-feet” visibility it is also among the most noticeable features of any property which makes the choice of paving materials and the quality of installation critical to the success of a project. Mistakes at this stage can make or break a project and is the reason why Henry Cockcroft, general manager of the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA), insists getting paving right means more than picking a colour and calling a contractor.
“It’s about aligning with standards, good practice and competent people. The paving industry in South Africa is incredibly active and there is a huge variety of applications which means both the quality of products and the skills of installers matter enormously.
“The CMA and our affiliated Certification Service (CMA CS) play a vital role in upholding standards and educating industry stakeholders. Through our published manufacturing guidelines, as well as our much-used paving manual and through constant member engagement the CMA works tirelessly to ensure paving solutions meet the demands of both aesthetics and performance,” he says.
Henry advises users and installers that even with the highest quality paver and best intentions paving projects mostly fail due to poor planning or sloppy execution. “People underestimate how technical paving can be with so many small but crucial factors thrown into the mix such as preparation of the layering on which the paving will be installed, building lines, fall or slope, compaction, edge restraints and jointing that need to be considered and planned for. If any one of these is ignored the results can be disappointing or even disastrous.
“One of the common failures is inadequate layer work resulting in ponding where water accumulates on the paving surfaces, influencing the bedding layer negatively over the longer term, causing the pavement to fail “That’s why good layer works, minimum slope requirements and proper drainage design are essential,” he explains. “It all requires the right knowledge to do the job professionally.”
He also highlights the challenges posed by certain soil types: “For example, if you’re working with clay, you’ll have to stabilise it before you pave on it. Otherwise the pavement will shift and you will get voids forming between the joints as it pulls apart. This in turn will affect the bedding layer, making the failure of the pavement imminent. Understanding the moisture content of the soil and the local water table is equally important as water is one of paving’s biggest enemies.”
The installation itself starts with proper preparation on the layers on which the paving block will be installed, correct edging and restraints which is something many local contractors underestimate. “A pavement cannot function without restraints. That’s what keeps it intact. Once the restraints or kerbs are in, the focus shifts to bedding sand and the pavers themselves. SANS 1200MJ published by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) gives specific regulations regarding the installation of pavers and compaction, for example, describes how many passes should be made with a compactor, when to sweep in jointing sand and even how many times to compact again afterward.
“In paving it’s the details that matter right down to how gaps are filled either by cutting smaller pieces of pavers or by grouting with concrete. It’s all covered in the CMA paving manual, which will soon be re-released in an updated form and will be an indispensable tool for contractors, foremen, site supervisors, engineers and property owners alike,” says Henry.
Henry says the new manual won’t just be a technical document it will also include checklists for both clients and contractors, troubleshooting charts and a guide to the most common causes of paving failures. A maintenance guide will also be included in the manual, making it a true one-stop reference for anyone involved in paving. “We’re very excited about the publication and believe it will add enormous value.”
To take things further, the CMA plans to digitise the manual and make it accessible as an online course in partnership with platforms delivering training content. “Our dream is to create a powerful, short course that’s easy to access and practical to use. We’d like to see paving contractors sending their foremen and staff on these courses as a matter of best practice.”
Henry concludes, “If you follow the right standards, work with qualified professionals and maintain your paving you will enjoy it for years. Paving should be a long-term asset, not a short-term regret.”
SANS standard for pavers
In South Africa, the manufacture of concrete pavers is governed by strict standards to ensure consistent quality, durability and safety in the built environment and applies to SANS 1058: Concrete Paving Blocks.
SANS 1058 outlines performance-based requirements for the physical properties of concrete pavers, including tensile splitting strength, dimensional tolerances, surface texture, water absorption, abrasion resistance and resistance to weathering. Importantly, it classifies pavers into different strength classes depending on their intended application from light pedestrian use to heavy-duty industrial traffic areas. Compliance with this standard is vital for manufacturers wishing to supply to formal construction and infrastructure projects where engineers and authorities require evidence of conformance.
In recent years, the need for independently verified quality has grown, and this is where the Concrete Manufacturers Association Certification Services (CMA CS) plays a crucial role. CMA CS is an independent, SANAS accredited, certification body that provides third-party product certification for precast concrete products, including concrete paving blocks. Its purpose is to help manufacturers demonstrate compliance with relevant SANS specifications and build trust in their products.
The CMA Certification mark is only awarded to manufacturers who consistently meet the requirements of SANS 1058 through ongoing testing, factory audits and strict quality control procedures. Certified products bear the CMA Certification mark, signalling to contractors, engineers, and specifiers that the product is manufactured to a recognised and trusted standard.
For manufacturers being certified by CMA CS offers a competitive edge in the market. It opens doors to municipal and large-scale commercial projects that require certified pavers and provides peace of mind to customers that the pavers will perform as specified over their design life.
