HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT

HQ/GN/05A

Guidelines on
Good Practice for Laying Unit Pavers

Landscape Unit
January 2009

Contents

1.0 General

Page No.

1.1 Background/ Objectives

1.2 Choice of Unit Pavers

1.3 Setting Out

1.4 Joint Width

2.0 Cutting & Trimming

2.1 Prevention

2.2 Cut Paver Sizes

2.3 Tools

2.4 Accuracy of Cutting Unit

2.5 Complementary Fittings

3.0 End Details

3.1 Kerbs and Channels

3.2 Building Lines

12

3.3 Manholes / Utility Pits

16

3.4 Posts and Columns

21

3.5 Tree Pits

25

3.6 Irregular Obstructions

29

3.7 Interface with Other Paving Materials / Bonding Patterns

32

4.0 Reference List

Guidelines on Good Practice for Laying Unit Pavers

1.0 General
1.1 Background / Objectives
z
The aim of the Guidelines is to provide suggestions in solving some commonly occurring
paving problems on site mainly from an aesthetic point of view. Construction drawings are
therefore indicative only. Engineers or designers shall follow standard construction details
and specifications of elements such as drainage channel and manholes, etc.
z
The Guidelines are regarded as a supplementary document to Road Note 9 Precast Concrete
Unit Paving System which should be reviewed and updated with the Guidelines incorporated.
1.2 Choice of Unit Pavers
z
Heavy duty unit pavers should be provided at run-ins or footpath with expected illegal parking
or additional loading to avoid cracking / breaking of pavers.
z

Where illegal vehicle loading or frequent use of handcarts is expected, pavers with chamfered
edges are preferred to rolled edges.
Different paving materials have different advantages / disadvantages, which may suit various
site situations. Good paving design incorporates the appropriate choice of material(s) and
bonding, which facilitates the implementation and maintenance of paving works.

1.3 Setting Out

z
Setting out should be undertaken prior to laying to minimize cutting and to avoid small cut
pieces at all edges.
z
When laying unit pavers, the alignment of paving units should be checked frequently for all
bond patterns by using string lines and adjustments made where necessary.(BS7533: Part 3:
1997).
1.4 Joint Width
z

z
z

Butt jointing of pavers (i.e. laid without any space between pavers) should not be allowed
because butt-jointing pavers is a major cause of cracked pavers.
For flexible pavements, sand joints of 2 to 5mm wide are required (BS7533: Part 3:1997).
Sand joints can be used to absorb the permitted manufacturing tolerances of paving blocks and
variations in the surface profile of the pavement.

2.0 Cutting & Trimming

2.1 Prevention
z

Careful choice of shape and size of fixtures should be made to ensure minimum cutting. (BS
7533: Part 3:1997).
Recessed footings and foundations slabs of bus shelter & telephone kiosks will minimize
cutting at edges.

2.2 Cut paver sizes

z
All cut blocks should have at least 3 uncut edges, except when the orientation of the cuts is
shifted through 90 Degrees. (McCormack, A.J.).
z
Each cut should be not less than 1/4 of the blocks for 45 degree herringbone bond and not less
than 1/3 of the original plan size of the unit with 4 sides retained for other bonding patterns.

2.3 Tools
z

To achieve a straight cut face, correct tools should be used. For example, concrete blocks
should be cut using a hydraulic or mechanical block-splitter while clay pavers should be cut
using a multi-bladed-splitter (BS 7533: PART 3:1997)..

2.4 Accuracy of cutting unit

z
The cut joint and the adjoining paving / edges should not be more than 5mm apart (BS 7533:
Part 3: 1997) in general except curved edges.

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2.5 Complementary fittings
z
Pre-fabricated/ pre-cut half blocks for stretcher / 90 degree herringbone bonding pattern and
triangular pieces for 45 degree herringbone bonding may be used to minimize on-site cutting.

3.0 End Details

3.1 Kerbs and Channels
3.1.1 Kerb Edge Treatment 90 Degree Herringbone Bond

(www.pavingexpert.com)

(www.pavingexpert.com)

90

HERRINGBONE

BOND
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3.1.2 Kerb Edge Treatment 45 Degree Herringbone Bond

3.1.3 Kerb Edge Treatment Stretcher Bond

3.1.4 Kerb Edge Treatment Basket-Weave Bond

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(www.pavingexpert.com)

BASKET-WEAVE BOND

3.1.5 Kerb Edge Treatment Curve Alignment with Full Blocks

3.1.6 Channel Edge Treatment Existing Channel

3.1.7 Channel Edge Treatment New Channel

3.1.8 General Remarks

z

Existing granite kerb should be retained as far as practical and uneven granite kerb should be
either saw-cut or hand-chipped to a roughly flat surface before laying unit pavers.
If existing granite kerbs are seriously damaged and it is impossible to maintain a straight
backing with the existing kerbs, it is justifiable to replace existing granite kerbs with precast
concrete kerbs or new granite kerbs in order to maintain a neat and consistent kerb edge.

3.1.9 Examples
10

Cutting at Kerb / Channel Edge Good Examples

CUT SHOULD BE
NOT LESS THAN
1/3 OF A BLOCK SIZE
HALF PAVERS

BORDER EDGING AT
CHANNEL
(NO CONCRETE INFILL)

HALF PAVER

TO AVOID SMALL CUT PIECES,

BLOCKS CUT >1/3 OF A BLOCK
SIZE TO FIT

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Cutting at Kerb / Channel Edge Poor Examples

UNSIGHTLY
CONCRETE
INFILL

HALF PAVERS

CUT BLOCKS >1/3 OF

A BLOCK SIZE TO FIT
UNTIDY CONCRETE INFILL DUE
TO IRREGULAR EDGE LINE OF
CUT BLOCKS
CUTHALF
BLOCKS
TO FIT
PAVERS

2-5mm CUT JOINT

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Cutting at Kerb / Channel Edge Poor Examples

UNSIGHTLY EXPOSED
CONCRETE MARGIN

PAVER EDGE
PREFERRED (IF NOT
POSSIBLE, 100mm
WIDE CONCRETE
MARGIN OF
MATCHING COLOUR
TO BE ALLOWED)

HALF PAVERS

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3.2 Building Lines

3.2.1 General Remarks
z

Same principles as for kerbs and channels edge treatment should be adopted.

3.2.2 Examples

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Cutting at Building Edge Good Examples

CUT SHOULD BE
NOT LESS THAN
1/3 OF A BLOCK

2-5mm
CUT JOINT

EDGING BAND IS
ADDED TO AVIOD
SMALL CUT PIECES
EDGING BAND IS ADDED TO
AVOID SMALL CUT PIECES
USE OF 1/2 PAVER TO AVOID
SMALL PIECE AT EDGE

HALF PAVERS

2-5mm
CUT JOINT TO
BE ALLOWED

BORDER EDGING ALONG EDGE

15

Cutting at Building Edge Poor Examples

HALF PAVERS

SMALL CUT PIECES

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

2-5mm CUT
JOINT
IRREGULAR
ALIGNMENT OF
CUTTING

A WIDE GAP WITH

UNEVEN CONCRETE
INFILL
HALF PAVERS

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Cutting at Building Edge Poor Examples

SMALL CUT PIECES
(NOTES: SOMETIMES IT IS NOT
POSSIBLE TO CUT AROUND DUE TO
ANGULAR SHAPE OF VALVE. IN SUCH
CASES MINIMIZE CONCRETE
SURROUNDS AND USE COLOURED
MORTAR OR PAINT FINISH.)

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

UNMATCHED CONCRETE
INFILL
WHILE EDGE TREATMENT IS
CONSIDERED GENERALLY
ACCEPTABLE, BONDING WITH
DESIGNED PATTERN CANNOT
BE MAINTAINED AT THE
BUILDING EDGE

2-5mm CUT JOINT

BONDING CAN BE MAINTAINED
ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN

FULL BLOCK

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

1/3 BLOCK

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3.3 Manholes / Utility Pits

3.3.1 Manhole Details

When matching cover is not ready / available

When matching cover is not possible

(BS 7533: Part 31997)

3.3.2 General Remarks

z
z

Manholes / utility pits should be re-aligned to fit in the paving bond as far as feasible.
Matching covers on footpath should be provided; matching covers (e.g. by using double
covers) are also preferred on carriageway, where special paving materials are used.
In general, laying pavers on recessed manhole cover should comply with the following
requirements: (a) the size of block paver should not be less than 1/3 of its size; and (b) the
colour(s) and pattern(s) of paving should be consistent with its adjacent paving.
Proper bonding of pavers by use of cement mortar should be applied at matching, impervious
recessed manhole cover.
18

z
z

To ensure uninterrupted paving works be properly carried out, a scaled layout plan showing
a complete pattern of man-hole cover and its adjacent paving should be produced.
Only as a last resort, if site conditions are so difficult to comply with the minimum 1/3 block
size requirement, the paving pattern may be relaxed locally. However, the integrity of the
overall paving design of the street including pattern and colour etc. should not be
compromised.
Paving blocks shall be laid abutting directly against the frame of the cover.
If matching cover is not ready / available, paving blocks shall be laid abutting directly against
the cover.

If not possible, 100mm concrete surround for cast iron covers / gratings and 50mm
concrete surround for valve pits with matching colour with adjacent paving should be allowed.
3.3.3 Examples
Cutting around Manholes / Utility Pits Good Examples
z

GOOD CUTTING AROUND

EXISTING COVER, WAITING
FOR REPLACEMENT WITH
MATCHING COVER

FOLLOW COLOURS AND BANDING

COVERS DISAPPEAR IN THE PAVING

PAVING PATTERN CAN BE

MAINTAINED WITH THE
USE OF RECESS TRAY
COVER

19

Cutting around Manholes / Utility Pits Good Examples

FOLLOW COLOUR /
PATTERNS AND
BONDING

BONDING ALIGNMENT OF THE PAVING IS

MAINTAINED BY USING RECESS TRAY
COVER, MAKING THE COVER LESS
NOTICEABLE

MATCHING COVERS HELP WHEN

THERE ARE CLUSTERS OF COVERS

PAVERS CUT AND LAID ABUTTING

CAST IRON PIT COVER

20

Cutting around Manholes / Utility Pits Poor Examples

UNCO-ORDINATED WORKS
IN ARRANGING MATCHING
COVERS

MATCHING COVERS SHOULD

BE ARRANGED ASAP OR TO
AVOID HAVING EXCESSIVE
CONCRETE MARGIN

MISALIGNED MANHOLE
COVER AND EXCESSIVE
CONCRETE MARGIN

MATCHING MANHOLE COVER

SHOULD ALIGN WITH PAVING
BONDING
CUT BLOCKS TO FIT AND ABUT WITH PIT COVER
(IF NOT POSSIBLE, 50mm WIDE CONCRETE
MARGIN OF MATCHING COLOUR TO BE
ALLOWED)

UNMATCHED CONCRETE
MARGIN

21

Cutting around Manholes / Utility Pits Poor Examples

MISALIGNED MANHOLE
COVER AND EXPOSED
CONCRETE MARGIN

MATCHING MANHOLE
COVER SHOULD ALIGN
WITH PAVING BONDING

22

3.4 Posts and Columns

3.4.1 General Remarks
z
z

Footings of posts and columns should be recessed. i.e. constructed below paving blocks.
For paving blocks abutting the column of traffic sign posts / light posts, pre-fabricated
half-round units could be considered.

PRE-FABRICATED
HALF-ROUND UNITS FIT WELL
WITH SURROUNDING
PATTERN WITH MINIMAL CUT
PIECES

To improve the integration of the pre-fabricated half-round units into the surrounding paving,
2 or more rows of blocks should be cut instead of just the surrounding blocks in some cases.

TWO ROWS OF BLOCKS

SHOULD BE CUT TO AVOID
SMALL CUT PIECES

Pre-fabricated half-round units cannot be used in very situation, e.g. where lots of poles are
close together, for poles of large diameter, etc

3.4.2 Examples
23

Cutting around Posts / Columns Good Examples

24

Cutting around Posts / Columns Poor Examples

UNTIDY EDGE TREATMENT

AROUND FOOTING OF SHELTER

EXISTING EXPOSED FOOTING

A ROW OF FULL BLOCKS ON

BOTH SIDE OF FOOTING TO
MAKE IT LOOK TIDY

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

HALF PAVERS

25

Cutting around Posts / Columns Poor Examples

PATCHY CONCRETE INFILL

CUT BLOCK TO FIT

FOOTING SHOULD BE
RECESSED AND CUT
BLOCKS TO FIT

EXPOSED CONCRETE
FOOTING

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3.5 Tree Pits

3.5.1 General Remarks
z
HyDs Standard Drawing No. H5108B and H5109 shall be complied with.
z
Unit pavers can be laid to serve as inner edging and outer edging of the tree surround.
z
Drainage pavers could be considered and used as tree surrounds to facilitate drainage
surrounding the tree.
z
If the roots of the tree are too shallow, it is advised to seek its maintenance authority to carry
out root pruning works before laying pavers. The use of tree grill to replace tree surround of
unit pavers is an option, depending on site situations, when the vigorous growth of surface
roots causing safety problems to pedestrians.
3.5.2 Examples

27

Cutting around Tree Pits Good Examples

TYPICAL TREE SURROUND WITH INNER

AND OUTER CONCRETE EDGING AS PER
HYDS STANDARD

USING PAVING BLOCKS OF THE SAME

COLOUR TO SERVE AS OUTER EDGING

CUT BLOCK TO FIT

MITRED CORNERS AT TREE

SURROUND LOOK MORE
PROFESSIONAL

MITRES MAKE THE CORNER

LOOK NEATER

28

Cutting around Tree Pits Poor Examples

WIDE AND UNSIGHTLY
CONCRETE MARGIN

FIX A ROW OF
PAVERS AS MARGIN

MISALIGN TREE PIT

EDGING AND EXCESSIVELY
EXPOSED OPENING

INNER EDGING

PAVING BLOCKS LAID IN

PATTERN AS SPECIFIED

29

Cutting around Tree Pits Poor Examples

EXCESSIVE OPENING

INNER EDGING

PAVING BLOCKS LAID IN PATTERN

AS SPECIFIED

30

3.6 Irregular Obstructions

3.6.1 General Remarks
z
For example, holes for roller shutters, building extension and protrusions of ironworks etc.
z
Cut blocks to fit with joints between ironwork and paving units not >5mm.
z
Concrete surround of matching colour not less than 100mm wide and with thickness not less
than the paving unit to provide structural integrity (BS 7533: Part 3:1997).
3.6.2 Examples

31

Cutting around Irregular Obstructions Good Examples

MATCHING STEPS TO
PAVEMENT

A STRAIGHT PAVER EDGE

SERVES AS A SKIRTING
AGAINST A STONE WALL OF
IRREGULAR FACE

A TIDY EDGE AROUND THE

HAZARD WARNING STRIP

32

Cutting around Irregular Obstructions Poor Examples

2-5mm
CUT JOINT

WIDE AND UNMATCHED

CONCRETE INFILL
CUT BLOCKS TO FIT THE
SPECIFIED PATTERN (IF NOT
POSSIBLE, 100mm WIDE
CONCRETE MARGIN OF
MATCHING COLOUR TO BE
ALLOWED)

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

THE SPECIFIED
PATTERN

SMALL CUT PIECES

HALF PAVERS

33

3.7 Interface with Other Paving Materials / Bonding Patterns

(BS 7533: Part 3: 1997)

3.7.1 General Remarks
z
At the intersection of different materials, an edge restraint e.g. securely fixed paving blocks
should be used (BS 7533: Part 3: 1997).
3.7.2 Examples

34

Interface with Other Paving Materials Good Examples

USE OF BANDING AT LOGICAL
CUT-OFF / CHANGE OF
MATERIALS OR PATTERN

STRAIGHT CUT-OFF, CHOOSE

LOGICAL POSITION IN THE
STREET TO CHANGE OVER

SETTING OUT NEW PAVING

DIRECTLY ABUTTING
ADJOINING PAVING

CUT-OFF POINT AT THE BAND

OF THE PAVING PATTERN

35

Interface with Other Bondings Good Examples

INTERFACE BETWEEN
FOOTPATH AND RUN-IN

BONDING CHANGE AFTER

THE BAND

USE OF A BAND OF SAME COLOUR TO

CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF 45
HERRINGBONE BOND AT FOOTPATH
JUNCTION

DISH CHANNEL OF STRETCHER BOND IS

FINISHED WITH A DARK BROWN BAND TO
VISUALLY TERMINATE THE HERRINGBONE
BOND ON FOOTPATH

USE OF CONCRETE
STRIP TO CHANGE
PAVING PATTERN

36

Interface with Other Bondings Poor Examples

UNSIGHTLY AND WIDE CONCRETE MARGIN

SMALL CUT
PIECES

INCOMPLETE PAVING
PATTERN

A ROW OF BLOCKS
CUT TO FIT AS A
MARGIN / EDGING

A ROW OF GREY COLOUR BLOCKS MATCHES WITH THE

ADJACENT GREY BLOCKS LAID IN STRETCHER BOND
(OR JUST COMPLETE THE BASKET WEAVE PATTERN
BEFORE STARTING NEW PATTERN

37

Interface with Other Paving Materials Poor Examples

ADD ANOTHER ROW OF
FULL BLOCKS TO MINIMIZE
THE WIDTH OF EDGING OR
EXTEND PATTERN

EXCESSIVELY WIDE AND

UNMATCHED CONCRETE
EDGING

A ROW OF FULL BLOCKS

SERVING AS AN EDGING
BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT
PAVING MATERIALS

UNTIDY AND PATCHY

CONCRETE INTERFACE
BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT
PAVING MATERIALS

HALF PAVERS
CUT BLOCKS TO FIT

38

Interface with Other Paving Materials Poor Examples

UNTIDY AND IRREGULAR INTERFACE
BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT PAVING
MATERIALS

HALF PAVERS

CUT BLOCKS TO
FIT

A ROW OF FULL BLOCKS

SERVING AS AN EDGING
BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT
PAVING MATERIALS

UNTIDY AND PATCHY

CONCRETE INTERFACE

2-5mm CUT JOINT

CUT BLOCKS TO FIT A

TIDY EDGE

39

4.0 References
BS 7533: Part 3: 1997 Code of Practice for Laying Precast Concrete Paving Blocks and Clay Pavers for
Flexible Pavements
Highways Department. (1998 ed.). HyD Standard Drawings.
Highways Department. (1999). Road Note 9: Precast Concrete Unit Paving System.
Highways Department Technical Circular NO. 9/2003. Preservation of Granite Kerbs.
Hong Kong Government. (1992 ed.).
Government Printer, Hong Kong.

General Specification for Civil Engineering Works. Hong Kong:

McCormack, A. J. (1997). A Guide to Paving, Drainage & Hard-Landscaping in Britain & Ireland.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/home.htm (April 2003)

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