ECORASTER fire department areas in Munich

• Year of execution: 2017
• Area: 1800 m²
• Customer: European Patent Office, Munich

A permeable fire access road was constructed for the European Patent Office (EPO) branch office at Capitellum in Munich, meeting stringent requirements for load-bearing capacity, surface quality, and integration into the surrounding environment. The goal of the project was to create a surface that could not only withstand the heavy loads of emergency vehicles but also blend visually into the surrounding green space and provide a permeable solution.

In 2017, the fire department access road was constructed using the ECORASTER E50 ground reinforcement system over an area of approximately 1,800 m². This robust grid is specifically designed for extreme loads and offers high axle load capacity in accordance with DIN 1072—it can withstand axle loads of up to 20 tons without compromising the functionality or levelness of the surface.

A key project objective was to prevent individual elements from lifting while creating a surface that is virtually indistinguishable from natural grass. This is why the vegetation on the surface played an important role: thanks to the open structure of the ECORASTER ground grid, rainwater can seep freely into the ground, while a green, root-permeable surface is created on top.

Choosing a permeable ground grid solution over traditional concrete or asphalt paving offers several advantages:

• High load capacity for fire trucks and heavy-duty emergency equipment.

• Permeability that reduces surface runoff and directs rainwater or firefighting water directly into the ground.

• A natural look, as the installation can be finished with grass.

• Low-maintenance, as it creates a durable, seamless surface that remains functional over the long term.

ECORASTER fire department areas in Munich

The fire department access road at the European Patent Office in Munich demonstrates how functional requirements for load-bearing capacity and mobility can be combined with an eco-friendly, permeable paving system. By using ECORASTER E50, a durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically integrated solution was created that meets the high demands of emergency vehicle traffic and landscape design in equal measure.