The Essential Role of Fire-Rated Pedestals in the UK Construction Industry

Fire-rated pedestals have become crucial components of the UK construction industry, especially in the wake of new building regulations. This comprehensive guide will delve into the importance and features of these innovative systems.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Innovation of Fire-Rated Pedestals
3. Key Features of Fire-Rated Pedestals
4. Class A Fire-Rated Pedestals
5. Fixings and Connectors for Fire-Rated Pedestals
6. Additional Benefits of Fire-Rated Pedestals
7. Non-Combustible Fire-Rated Pedestals
8. Specific Features of Fire-Rated Pedestals
9. The Importance of Fire-Rated Pedestals in Decking Applications
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In the face of evolving fire safety regulations, the UK construction industry has seen the emergence of fire-rated pedestals that meet the stringent demands of these new rules. These pedestals offer a robust and versatile solution for decking, paving, and other fire-rated substrates.

The Innovation of Fire-Rated Pedestals

One of the companies pioneering this innovation is the Outdoor Deck Company with their Class A fire-rated DuraLink system. This first-to-market product in the UK represents a significant leap forward in fire safety, offering an external pedestal flooring solution that complies with the latest UK building regulations.

Key Features of Fire-Rated Pedestals

The DuraLink system is unique in its strength, lightness, and adjustability. It also provides a low build-up starting at 40mm, offering versatility that has been in high demand from architects and contractors. As well as the Class A system, the Outdoor Deck Company also supplies A2-rated decking and external paving options, including porcelain and concrete pavers.

Class A Fire-Rated Pedestals

The Class A fire-rated pedestals serve a critical function in the UK construction industry, filling a need for a fire-rated external flooring system that meets the new ‘Approved Document B’ – Building Regulations for England. This innovation has been driven by an increasing number of specification briefs that include fire-rating requirements, leading the Outdoor Deck Company to launch its Class A fire-rated system.

Fixings and Connectors for Fire-Rated Pedestals

Accompanying these fire-rated systems are a variety of fixings and connectors that allow for different rail heights to be installed on the same project. These include straight, right-angled, and 45° angled brackets and connectors, which facilitate easy and fast fitting to all rails where cross-brace frameworks are required.

Additional Benefits of Fire-Rated Pedestals

In addition to providing a Class A non-combustible fixing system for decking, these pedestals offer numerous other benefits. For example, the paving lug headpiece ensures a tight fit and uniform spacing between tiles, while the starter/end plate is ideal for end-of-runs and maintaining consistent gaps around the perimeter.

Non-Combustible Fire-Rated Pedestals

Beyond Class A, there are also Class A1 fire-rated paving pedestals. These non-combustible, fully adjustable pedestals are specifically designed for high-rise balconies, terraces, and flat roofs. They offer a range of benefits, including compliance with British Standard BS 8579 and a weight tolerance of over 2 tonnes per pedestal.

Specific Features of Fire-Rated Pedestals

These pedestals are made from 100% Class A1 thick galvanized steel and contain no plastic or rubber components. They offer millimetre-precise height adjustment, a self-levelling headpiece, and a range of bespoke headpieces for paving and decking.

The Importance of Fire-Rated Pedestals in Decking Applications

In terms of decking applications, these pedestals play a vital role. The click-deck headpiece is made from stainless steel, designed to hold a ledged-profile aluminium joist. This headpiece is coated with RAL 7016 powder-coated paint to prevent any reaction between the steel and aluminium joist. A secure fixing between the pedestal head and joist means no additional mechanical fixings are required.

Conclusion

To sum up, fire-rated pedestals have become an essential part of the UK construction industry, offering a solution that complies with the latest fire safety regulations. Their versatility, strength, and innovation make them a crucial component in paving and decking applications, and their role is set to grow even more significantly as the industry continues to evolve.