LEED/Rating Systems

Sustainability and ICP

LEED Checklist

Interlocking Concrete Pavements (ICP) are constructed using modular concrete pavers that fit tightly together to create large areas of hard-surface paving. Concrete pavers are superior in strength and durability compared to poured concrete in streets and sidewalks. Concrete pavers can be used for practically any kind of pavement and are preferred to conventional asphalt and poured concrete because of their beauty, low maintenance, and ease of replacement when subsurface repairs are required.

Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement (PICP) is a subset of ICP that have wider joint or voids between the units filled with fine gravel that allows water to easily flow throught the surface and infiltrate into the subgrade below.

Interlocking Concrete Pavements (ICP), including Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavements (PICPs), are eligible for LEED® credits under the U.S. and Canadian Green Building Councils (USGBC and CaGBC) guidelines.

ICP can meet the the LEED® credit for Sustainable Sites requirement to reduce urban heat islands (thermal difference between urban and rural areas), minimize impacts on microclimates and in wildlife habitats. This is accomplished through increased albedo (a measure of the solar energy reflected from a surface) or use of a pavement system with less than 50% imperviousness. PICP has substantially higher reflectivity than conventional asphalt pavement and can meet the requirement for less than 50% imperviousness.

ICP typically meets the requirements for Conservation of Material and Resources, Recycled Content under the USGBC LEED for new construction where at least 20% of the building products should be manufactured within a radius of 500 miles (800 km) of the project. Most paving units are locally manufactured and delivered to projects within 500 miles (800 km). To find the closest manufacturer or distributor, visit the ICPI Find A Member section. For additional information on U.S. or Canadian LEED credits visit www.usgbc.org or www.cagbc.org.

PICP has the added possiblity of meeting the Sustainable Sites requirements which limit runoff and water pollution by managing stormwater. The pavements can reduce runoff-generating impervious cover and decrease the rate and quantity of runoff. PICP meets these credits through the filtering action of the base that reduces total suspended solids and phosphorous in runoff, as well as other pollutants.

PICP can also be designed to provide a water harvesting function which can contribute to the water efficiency credits related to water efficient landscaping and using non-potable water for irrigation.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™.

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. CAGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality.

LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED Green Building Rating System, and the certification process. The LEED AP program is administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which was established with the support of USGBC to allow for objective, balanced management of the credentialing program.