Sapphire Balconies responds to the need for tougher high-rise fire regulations

In association with

Buildings.

With the growing trail of high-rise building fires, culminating in the Grenfell Tower tragedy, a nationwide tightening of building and fire safety regulations is inevitable, with implications across the construction supply chain. The first move came with the November 2018 announcement banning the use of combustible materials in cladding, including balconies, on residential buildings taller than 18-metres (see Sapphire’s Balcony Fires Presentation).

While accidents can never be totally prevented, it is clear that more needs to be done to prevent relatively minor incidents developing into major national tragedies. Some in the supply chain are already taking steps that anticipate further regulation. Leading balcony systems manufacturer Sapphire Balconies is among them.

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Meeting demand in a changing regulatory landscape
There’s huge demand for housing in inner-city areas, and with suitable land scarce, the only way to build is upwards. London alone has a pipeline of 500 ‘tall’ buildings, and some 450 of these are reportedly for residential use. Other key cities are in line for further growth too.

Grenfell focused attention on regulatory deficiencies, and the new ban on combustible materials – confirmed in Parliament on 29 November 2018 by James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – means that cladding and balconies on buildings taller than 18-metres must in future be of Class A-rated materials. Previously, cladding could be Class B and balconies were not regulated unless they formed part of an escape route. Projects currently under construction are not included in the new regulations, but those starting after 21 February 2019 must comply.

The regulations do not apply to existing buildings, although owners of such buildings have perhaps a moral obligation to rethink possible ‘trouble spots’ and find cost effective alternative solutions to address fire safety issues.

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The real challenges are:
• Anticipating further possible fire safety regulations
• Dealing with the costs of additional fire safety measures
• Finding suppliers who understand at least some of the issues at stake and can offer appropriate solutions.

This translates to a massive need for developers, contractors, architects and others involved in construction decision making to have a clear understanding of the impact that Grenfell and other high-rise fires will have on the regulatory landscape in the short to medium and longer terms.

Buildings.

The solution: finding suppliers who are ahead of the game
The obvious answer is to work with product and service suppliers who are sufficiently ahead of their game to meet current requirements in full and to have a firm grasp of the likely next steps in their areas of expertise. One such company is Sapphire Balconies – an innovative UK based balcony systems manufacturer with a determination to supply not only beautiful balconies, but also ones that help to inhibit the spread of fire.

Sapphire prides itself on being one step ahead in terms of both design and performance. Its systems already include some A-rated components as standard and others as options – positioning the company well to supply balconies within the new regulations. Sapphire aims to continue adding value to building projects by offering balcony systems that enhance architectural design and residents’ lifestyles – as well as improving fire safety.

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Before Grenfell had become the focus of a nation’s horror, there was an alarming growth in the incidence of fires starting on apartment balconies, with many spreading to balconies above and below the seat of the fire, as well as to adjoining balconies. The problem was frequently exacerbated by all-timber constructions, including lightweight and highly inflammable privacy screens between neighbouring units.

Many such fires result from ‘balcony barbecues’ – despite fire brigade advice against their use – or a lack of care with cigarettes. Problems start to get out of hand when items such as soft furnishings on the balcony are ignited. Until such time as balcony barbecues are formally outlawed in the UK – as in many other countries – the best defence is to ensure that balconies themselves do not contribute the spread of fire.

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Sapphire’s Cassette® system balconies are specially designed to limit the spread of a balcony fire, irrespective of its cause. Key to the success of the system is the use of Class A-rated aluminium joists, which are strong, lightweight and fire-resistant. Sapphire also recommends the use of aluminium soffits, which reduce the possibility of rising or falling embers affecting balconies above and below a fire. It has introduced ribbed aluminium decking, which is A-rated for fire resistance.

Buildings.

The Sapphire Cassette® balcony system has been reviewed by Dr Gordon Cooke, civil engineer and fire safety consultant. In his view, this balcony construction “can be considered of low fire load”. Coupled with its offsite production-line quality-assurance and its economical, time saving on-site installation, the high fire-resistance of the Sapphire Cassette® balcony system makes it an excellent choice for high-rise residential applications.

Contract Details
For more information please call 0344 88 00 553, email or visit the website.