How Wallbarn’s range of products can help you ensure compliance with the new fire regulations for balconies and terraces.

Recently, fire safety regulations have undergone significant modifications, transforming the construction industry’s landscape. Wallbarn, a proactive industry player, has responded to these changes by creating a product range that aligns with the new rules pertaining to balconies and terraces on high-rise buildings.

The Trigger for Change

The tragic incident at Grenfell acted as a catalyst for the introduction of new legislation on 21st December 2018. The legislation specifically addressed the fire requirements of external balconies in England and Wales. The need for non-combustible decking pedestals in construction projects, particularly on balconies and terraces at heights of over 18 metres, emerged as a key factor.

Introducing Wallbarn’s MetalPad: A Class A1 Solution

Wallbarn’s response to these legislative changes was the development of MetalPad Class A1 fire-rated pedestals, designed to meet every terrace and balcony specification requiring the installation of fire-rated products. These pedestals are created to provide a fully adjustable galvanised steel solution, offering longevity, durability, and strength.

Key Features of MetalPad

MetalPad offers a range of advantages, making it a suitable solution for paving slabs and timber decking. The product is 100% metal and is designed specifically for application, rather than being adapted from other systems. MetalPad ensures superior quality, longevity, and durability due to its solid stem and high-quality design. It functions as a suspended system and is fully adjustable.

Design Aspects

Wallbarn’s MetalPad is designed to offer maximum versatility. It has a similar circular base to Wallbarn’s universal pedestal with a smooth underside. The company provides different headpieces for both decking and paving. The galvanised steel and solid stem ensure strength and extreme temperature tolerance.

The Legislative Changes

For the first time, balconies are now considered part of the external wall and classified as a “specified attachment”. This new classification, introduced for building works that commenced after 20th February 2019, applies to:

1. The construction of new buildings over 18m and in which people sleep.
2. The refurbishment of existing buildings where changing the cladding would result in lower safety, or the building is changing in use.

This legislation indicates that all components of the wall must be individually tested as non-combustible under the requirements of Standard BS EN 13501-1.

Balconies: A Valued Amenity

Balconies, providing covered walkways or granting residents access to private outside space, have long been deemed an important amenity. The post-COVID-19 lockdown scenario has highlighted the value of this amenity, with future new-build developments likely to include them.

BS 8579: A Regulatory Response to Fires

The release of BS 8579:2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces supports the Government’s robust approach to the fire safety of blocks of flats. The new standard requires all construction elements of balconies and terraces located more than 18m above ground level to be non-combustible.

Wallbarn’s MetalPad: A Robust Solution

Wallbarn’s non-combustible MetalPad pedestals provide a definitive solution for meeting new fire regulations and the highest product standards. The strength, durability, and ease of installation offered by MetalPad ensure a fail-safe, non-combustible full metal pedestal solution.

MetalPad: Key Features

MetalPad, with no gaskets, plastic, or rubber parts, is non-combustible to BS EN 13501-1. It is manufactured from 2mm thick galvanised steel for long-term exterior performance. It provides more than 1,000kg loading per pedestal with millimetre-precise height adjustment.

Wallbarn’s Role in Ensuring Fire Performance with Strength

Wallbarn adhered to the core design principles of its market-leading range of plastic adjustable pedestals during the development of MetalPad. It aimed to replicate the success of these pedestals with a high-performance metal product.

Final Thoughts

In the light of the revised fire safety regulations, Wallbarn’s MetalPad emerges as a reliable, durable and fire-safe solution for high-rise constructions. By ensuring compliance with these regulations, Wallbarn not only contributes to the safety of such buildings but also reinforces its commitment to innovative, robust solutions in the construction industry.