The challenges of making balconies fire-safe

Remediation work to remove and replace combustible materials in ‘at-height’ balconies and terraces is proving demanding, with contractors often faced with unforeseen challenges when they rip-out existing paving and decking.

From changes in deck height to channels, services and even non-standard timber bearers, Wallbarn has encountered many hidden complications when clients have lifted balcony and terrace surfaces.

The company has been in the thick of the retrofit drive given its development of the highly-regarded MetalPad Class A fire-rated pedestal system, which forms part of its non-combustible substructure range. In many projects it’s had to utilise information that is, at best, patchy to learn more about the balcony or terrace construction in order to recommend a suitable replacement system.

“We’ve found ourselves helping clients budget for technically competent, high quality systems in very challenging circumstances,” said Wallbarn Director Julian Thurbin. "We use drawings, photographs and as much information as clients can provide to make a judgement call on heights, measurements etc. But it’s really only when work starts on site that we know if these assessments are correct, and every balcony can be different. Our job is to meet any technical scenarios that arise, including different pedestal heights.”

Wallbarn is constantly updating its fire-rated pedestal and substructure solutions. It has Class A rated MetalPad and Class A1 rated MetalPad EX, which is compatible with the manufacturer’s Class A1 rail substructure system and its new I PLUS aluminium rail, a robust Class A1 substructure support beam that is quick to install and offers massive spans between pedestals.

“All projects require fire-rated pedestal solutions that can accommodate changes in height across the entire project and flexibility to ensure that product specifications and quantities can be amended quickly if required,” added Julian. “Specifiers and contractors must have confidence that every element of a system - pedestals, substructure and fixings - meet the fire regulations. Our recommendation is to install systems that have been tested as a whole and are supplied as a package to ensure they meet the regulations and work together in-situ.”

Wallbarn systems achieve compliance with BS 8579 and Approved Document Part B as amended 2022 for installation on at-height balconies without the use of plastic headpieces or rubber discs under baseplates. They also meet rules for terraces, podiums, flat roofs and walkways completely.

www.wallbarn.com