Author Archives: tracy

Officials at the Village of Minerva selected a blend of Whitacre Greer dry-pressed brick pavers for phase two of the village’s Market Street project.  Phase one, completed in August 2007, also used Whitacre Greer pavers.  Whitacre Greer, originally based in Waynesburg, OH, has considerable ties to Minerva.  Read The Press News account of that history here.  Photos of phase one installation can be viewed here.  Installation contractor, Pave Ohio, will install the pavers.

Sulphur Springs, TX city officials recently selected Whitacre Greer pavers for the city’s Main Street project.  Distributor Metro Brick of Dallas will supply the material.  The vehicular pavers, over 10,000 ft² of them, will be produced in August.  Read more about the history of Sulphur Springs here.

Stormwater pollution prevention was the topic of Whitacre Greer’s July employee safety talk.  The information below was provided to all employees so that they may better understand the important roll stormwater management plays in reducing pollution and mitigating the effects of development on the environment.

This month’s safety talk is on Stormwater Pollution Prevention.  Perhaps you have recently seen in the papers or heard on the news that Alliance may soon be visited by representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency. That is because Phase II of the EPA’s amendments to the Clean Water Act of 1972 restricts Stormwater Pollution within small towns, cities, and counties. Phase II is more commonly known as the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System).

The Clean Water Act established the structures for the regulation and discharge of pollutions into the waters of the United States. It is unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions.

In order for Whitacre Greer to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) we obtained a Storm Water Permit. Our permit requires that we have a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) to assure that storm water from our property is not responsible for the degradation of the surface water. An additional requirement is that we make everyone aware of the problems associated with stormwater runoff and ways to prevent their pollution.

Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Water is necessary for the existence of everything. Although we all recognize this fact, we disregard it by polluting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Subsequently, we are slowly but surely harming our planet to the point where organisms are dying at a very alarming rate.  In addition to innocent organisms dying off, our drinking water has become greatly affected as is our ability to use water for recreational purposes.  In order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and become part of the solution.

The best solution to reducing pollution levels in stormwater runoff is to eliminate runoff contamination at its source by either eliminating the pollutants or minimizing their effects by doing things such as cleaning up spills.

In order to accomplish this, we can follow the advice of experts on how best to protect the soil and use Best Management Practices (BMP), that is, tried and true methods that contain runoff, remove pollutants, or help them settle into the ground.

Some of the BMP that we can use at home as well as at work are:

• Plant vegetation in and around curb openings to trap pollutants and sediment and slow the runoff.
• Reuse stormwater by running gutters into landscaped areas. This allows the roof runoff to seep into the ground and reduce the need for further watering of plants
• If you must water, do so in the coolest time of the day and only when needed
• Protect exposed soil by mulching with grass clippings
• Have a temporary storage system to reduce the amount of runoff and absorb the runoff
• Have a permanent storage system that can extend stormwater wetlands and bioretention areas by collecting and holding runoff

Many causes of pollution including sewage and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates.  In excessive levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae.  Excessive growth of these types of organisms clogs our waterways, and use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters. This in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in water. To help eliminate runoff, don’t apply fertilizer before a heavy rain or apply it too heavily.

Petroleum often pollutes water bodies in the form of oil, resulting from oil spills.  The spill from the Exxon Valdez is an example of large -scale water pollution.  However, even one quart of oil can cause an oil slick contaminating two million gallons of drinking water. Recycle your used motor oil and never pour used motor oil down a storm drain or onto your grass or driveway.

Many household products we use daily contain toxic materials that can threaten public health and the environment.  Drain and oven cleaners, paint thinners, and bathroom cleaners are just a few of the items we use that can cause serious health and environmental problems.  Unused products such as these should be disposed of at a local hazardous disposal site.  Or alternative natural items could be used.

Pesticides and herbicides contain toxic materials that pose both environmental and human health risks. Humans, animals, fish, and plants can be severely threatened by these chemicals. The toxins found in pesticides and herbicides can run off lawns and gardens into storm drains and streams whenever it rains.  Minimize the use of these chemicals and, again, use natural alternatives when possible.

Anti-freeze can seriously deplete oxygen from water, and can be harmful to all plant and animal life, including humans.  Recycle your used anti-freeze.  Consider using the newer type anti-freeze which has less impact on the environment.

Litter, plastics, yard waste, and pet waste should not be thrown into the streets. These substances can clog the storm drains making it difficult for them to adequately carry away excessive water. The pet waste can release untreated bacteria and other harmful materials into streams.   Plastics take hundreds of years to biodegrade and can be harmful to birds and animals who mistake them for food. Litter and yard waste ends up floating in streams, rivers and lakes.

At our plant Manganese Dioxide (MnO₂) is a SARA 313 chemical. It is a regulated substance and our usage of it is reported yearly to the EPA through the Toxic Releases Inventory program. It is important that spills of manganese be cleaned up and disposed of properly. Spills should not be washed down the storm drains. It is acceptable that some be washed down the sanitary drains.

You may be aware that we are in the process of redesigning the Boardwalk paver for use as a permeable paver.  A permeable paver is a paver that is spaced and laid on an aggregate such that the water will flow between the pavers and be absorbed into the ground rather than off the property into catch basins, streets, ditches, and streams.  The use of permeable pavers is one way businesses and individuals can help prevent the pollution of the waters.

The third annual Hardscape North America has been set for January 14-17, 2009 at the Cobb Galleria Center in Atlanta.  Hardscape North America is THE Hardscape Show for contractors bringing top notch education including certification courses, products and technology to contractors and installers who build segmental pavements and retaining walls. The show features indoor and outdoor exhibits displaying state of the art tools and products and tradeshow floor demonstrations and offers the latest technology for contractors.  Seminars including certification, business skills, marketing tools and hands-on training provide valuable education and networking opportunities.

Atlanta”s Emory University has selected Whitacre Greer dry-pressed brick pavers for its Dowman Drive renovation.  Whitacre Greer Emory Blend 2-1/4x9x3 Boardwalk pavers have been selected for the vehicular areas of the streetscape project.  Straight Edge 4x8x2-1/4 Emory Blend pavers will be used in the pedestrian areas.  Local distributor Boral Bricks will supply the Whitacre Greer pavers.  The installation will be completed by Exterior Concepts, Inc of Buford, GA.

Mark your calendars today for the 2008 ASLA Annual Meeting & Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.  Visit with Whitacre Greer sales personnel, Andy Karas, Mic McAfee and Colby DeHoff at booth number 428 and learn how Whitacre Greer fired-clay brick pavers can add to the distinction of your next project.  Whitacre Greer clay brick pavers can contribute to LEED certification.  The 2008 ASLA Annual Meeting & Expo is scheduled for October 3-7.  Visit ASLA.org for additional information.

The Mayor’s Green Task Force was created in 2007 by Mayor Toni Middleton with the goal of making Alliance, Ohio a community that is friendly to the environment.  To that end, the transportation sub-committee of the Task Force has invited businesses, organizations and individuals to join in ‘Fuel-Less Fridays,’ by parking their cars one day a week and taking the bus, car-pooling or riding a bicycle.

Whitacre Greer has long offered secure bicycle parking for employees, many of whom live near the plant.  On pleasant days during the summer months it is not uncommon to see the bicycle rack filled.   Employees with all degrees of responsibility are regularly seen bicycling to and from work.  In support of the ‘Fuel-Less Fridays’ initiative Whitacre Greer encourages all employees to consider alternate means of transportation.

Whitacre Greer has also sought to conserve resources by replacing the aging SUV of regional sales manager Andy Karas with a fuel-efficient Toyota Prius.  Andy now enjoys fuel efficiencies of 50 miles per gallon while traveling throughout New England and upstate New York.

In order to better understand the vibration exposure to wheelchair users when traveling over select sidewalk surfaces, testing partially funded by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, the Brick Industry Association, and the National Concrete Masonry Association was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.  Six paving surfaces were tested including poured and finished concrete, concrete pavers and genuine clay pavers.  At the conclusion of the test, four of the test surfaces were determine to test ‘most favorably in terms of shock and vibration exposure’ when compared to poured concrete sidewalks.  Whitacre Greer dry-pressed, beveled-edge brick pavers with spacing lugs were one of the surfaces receiving this favorable rating.  Researchers further concluded that the four favorably rated surfaces should be ‘considered acceptable as a pedestrian access route for wheelchair users.’  Follow this link to the entire research report.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that walking surfaces have a static coefficient of friction of 0.5. A research project sponsored by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) conducted tests with persons with disabilities and concluded that a higher coefficient of friction was needed by such persons. A static coefficient of friction of 0.6 is recommended for accessible routes and 0.8 for ramps.

Whitacre Greer dry-pressed, fired-clay brick pavers in smooth and textured finishes have slip resistances that exceed recommended values.  The coefficient of friction of the standard smooth paver averaged .95 dry and .84 wet in recent testing.  The coeffiecient of friction of Whitacre Greer’s textured finish averaged 1.13 dry and .97 wet.  Tests were conducted by The Tile Council of North America.  A pdf version of the TCNA test results is available for download here.  For additional information about the Access Board and OSHA recommendation try the following links:

Technical Bulletin:  Ground and Floor Surfaces
Standard Interpretations:  Static coeffiecients of friction for walking/working surfaces

Skid resistance values as measured by the National Brick Research Center of Whitacre Greer smooth and textured pavers are also provided.

With its strong product characteristics, clay brick pavements have been used for centuries.  This article describes the various brick paving systems available and when to use one over another.  Some systems are best to resist vehicular traffic, while others are more appropriate for pedestrians.  Information is provided about each, along with details about some of the more important design considerations.

Read the complete article by the Brick Industry Association‘s Brian Trimble here – ‘Designing Clay Brick Pavements’.