Ahead of the recent publication of BS 8579:2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces, developers and main contractors were already understood to be upgrading completed and signed-off high-rise flat developments in order to deliver the Class A fire performance at 18m+ they anticipated would be detailed in the new standard.
However, there are industry concerns that a ‘double whammy’ of implementing the new standard and the rise of new, unfamiliar, products coming to market could jeopardise safety.
“This situation has the potential to affect a wide range of building components within balcony and terrace construction,” said Julian Thurbin, managing director of specialist building products manufacturer Wallbarn. “We are receiving high volumes of calls from construction professionals, including contractors, specifiers and cost engineers requiring guidance on the products that can – and cannot – be considered.
“We have also heard reports of completed and fully legal projects being revised with exterior materials, including balcony constructions, removed post sign-off and replaced with Class A systems – in extreme cases across the entire project and not just 18 metres and above. It highlights the importance parties are placing on delivering safe, compliant buildings and underlines the need to be absolutely sure only the best quality products and systems make it to site,” he added.
To achieve the fire performance required by BS 8579, specifications will have to change. Manufacturers are responding with Class A product developments but concerns remain that some of the new solutions coming to market may not be adequately tested or designed for use at height and/or outdoors.
“Our sector is a really good example,” said Julian Thurbin. “Traditionally heavy duty plastic pedestals have been specified to support suspended balcony or terrace decking and paving. To achieve Class A performance these pedestals must now be metal. We have achieved this with our new product MetalPad, which is fully tested and fit for purpose. From sampling the market we have concerns that not all products offer the level of performance we feel is required, with some modified from interior usage and others utilising plastic or rubber parts, which are obviously combustible.
“There’s also the question of product testing – in the case of pedestals load-bearing is critical – which we appreciate is a challenge. However, our advice is always to consult with your original supplier (whatever the product and even if they do not supply a Class A alternative) to at least understand the questions you should be asking of a new supplier.
“Safety is of prime importance and we do not want to be in the situation where, in our efforts to increase fire safety standards, we replace fully tested and compliant products with those that may not have been properly tested or are of a poorer quality.
“Given that this issue centres around outdoor structures mounted 18 metres or more above ground level, industry concerns about product performance must be given serious consideration; system failure at height has the potential to have tragic consequences.”
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