In the wake of the Grenfell Fire, the government introduced new legislation and regulations to improve fire safety in multi-occupancy residential buildings. It had significant consequences for designers, architects, and specifiers, particularly when it came to balconies and other external structures. Should balconies be classified as part of a building’s facade? What would it mean if they were?
In this article, we answer both these questions, examine relevant fire safety ratings and standards, and discuss the best way to identify compliant construction materials and components.
Balconies – part of the facade?
Recent legislation, most notably the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018, makes it clear that external structures on residential buildings should be considered part of the building facade. Balconies fall within the external structure category and, as such, are part of a building’s facade and subject to relevant regulations.
Initially, this legislation dealt explicitly with multi-occupancy residential buildings over 18 metres in height. Further clarification was achieved with the Fire Safety Act 2021, which explicitly included balconies in the risk assessment required by the Fire Safety Order and classified them as an aspect of a building’s external walls. Later, amendments to Fire safety: Approved Document B extended restrictions to multi-occupancy residential buildings over 11 metres in height.
What regulatory impact does this have?
In the context of non-combustibility, classifying balconies as part of the building facade has significant implications. First and foremost, it means balconies are subject to the regulations concerning the use of non-combustible components and materials. As such, developers must construct all balconies on multi-occupancy residential buildings exceeding 11 metres from non-combustible materials.
In 2020, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (at the time known as the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government) issued an advisory note stating that building owners should ensure they are aware of which materials were used in balcony construction, irrespective of building height. It went on to say that building owners have a responsibility to identify any potential for fire spread due to balcony construction or layout.
Though it did not make non-combustible materials a legal requirement for residential buildings under 11 metres, the advisory note emphasised that removing and replacing combustible materials in balcony designs is the best way to prevent fire spread and that this process should occur as soon as reasonably possible. It also argued that building owners should formulate policies concerning what items residents can and cannot store on their balconies. Barbeques were highlighted as an example of an item that poses a significant fire risk and should not be permitted.
Relevant non-combustibility standards
The BS EN 13501-1 standard is the main point of reference when discussing non-combustible materials and components. It refers to the fire classification of construction products and building elements and is used to determine a material’s combustibility rating. BS EN 13501-1 establishes the Euroclass fire rating system, which classifies materials into one of seven categories. These range from the best-performing A1 non-combustible category, through A2, B, C, D, and E, to the lowest rating, F.
If a material achieves an A1 or A2 category rating, it is considered non-combustible and suitable for use in balconies and other external structures on multi-occupancy residential buildings. As part of the BS EN 13501-1 classification, materials are judged on three criteria:
- Euroclass rating
- Smoke emission – rated S1, S2 or S3
- Production of flaming droplets and particles – rated d0, d1 or d2
Materials that achieve an A1 fire rating are not accorded smoke emission production of flaming droplets and particles ratings, as the rating means that they do not contribute to the spread of fire and are entirely non-combustible.
Several other standards concerning fire safety deal indirectly with the combustibility of balconies and other external structures. For instance, BS 9999:2017 Fire Safety in the design, management and use of buildings, provides guidance on the design, management and use of buildings in regard to fire safety.
We have published a dedicated article on the European Reaction to Fire Classification System, if you want to read on.
RYNO non-combustible products
At RYNO, we recognise architects, specifiers and designers desire clear and concise information regarding combustibility and the suitability of materials and components. With this in mind, we created the IGNO mark of assurance. All RYNO products accredited with the IGNO mark of assurance are non-combustible and compliant with current regulations. In many cases, these products go a step further and exceed regulatory requirements.
IGNO-assured materials and components are found throughout the RYNO product range and in all terrace and balcony systems. From our A1-rated, non-combustible TerraSmart® Rail Paving System to our spectacular A1-rated wood-effect TerraSmart® Vitrified Composite® decking, the IGNO mark of assurance ensures it easy to identify materials and components that will ensure you comply with all building and fire safety standards and regulations.
Learn more about the RYNO IGNO mark of assurance, contact the RYNO team to discuss how RYNO balcony and terracing systems can benefit your project, or book a RIBA-approved CPD to enhance your knowledge, de-risk & future-proof your balconies & terraces.
