Wallbarn Launches The Non-Combustible Pedestal – The MetalPad

Wallbarn has launched MetalPad, its non-combustible Class A1 metal pedestal designed specifically for high-rise balconies, terraces and flat roofs, to meet BS 8579: 2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces.

Wallbarn, a leading manufacturer of pedestal solutions for domestic and commercial suspended paving and decking projects, has developed what it believes is the UK’s first non-combustible Class A1 metal pedestal designed specifically for high-rise balconies, terraces and flat roofs.

MetalPad was developed in direct response to BS 8579: 2020 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces, which has just been published and details how all building elements of balconies and terraces must be non-combustible. Wallbarn says previously, heavy-duty plastic pedestal systems had been deemed appropriate but the new standard makes clear this is no longer acceptable. 

“We have more than 40 years of experience in the pedestals sector and foresaw, from an early draft of BS 8579: 2020, that the standard would shift the market to non-combustible products,” said Wallbarn Director Julian Thurbin. “We immediately began a research and development programme to identify how we could replicate the success of our heavy-duty polypropylene pedestals in metal to satisfy the standard.”

The Wallbarn designed, developed and produced MetalPad Class A1 non-combustible fully adjustable pedestal system is the result of Wallbarn’s R&D investment into developing a BS 8579 compliant system. The company says it offers specifiers, contractors, building owners, insurers and occupants peace of mind that the pedestals supporting paving and decking on balconies and terraces will not fail in the event of a fire. 

MetalPad is non-combustible to BS EN 13501-1, made from 2mm thick galvanised steel and designed for exterior applications. It has no plastic or rubber components, can support more than 1,000kg per pedestal thanks to its solid stem and superior weight tolerance, has a self-levelling headpiece with up to 5% movement in all directions, a sturdy 150mm diameter circular base plate which is smooth on the underside to prevent point loading and damage to the surface beneath, bespoke headpieces for paving and decking and millimetre-precise height adjustment to ensure a perfect, flat and safe finish. Heights range from 30mm to 258mm.

Julian added: “We’ve worked hard and invested heavily in bringing a product to market that is fit-for-purpose and meets the demands of the new standard. We are more than happy to talk architects, specifiers and contractors through the requirements of BS 8579 and what they need to be considering when specifying and installing metal pedestal systems. The key points are selecting a system that is fully non-combustible (so no plastic or rubber components), making sure the pedestals are suitable for exterior use and confirming they are strong enough for the job. Given that they will be used in high-rise outdoor structures it is imperative to select the correct product.”