This article discusses the latest government advice, issued in June 2019, which has widespread implications for the assessment and management of balcony fire risk. The Grenfell disaster gave rise to new Building (Amendment) Regulations in December 2018, requiring stricter fire safety compliance for new, refurbished and converted residential buildings with a floor above 18 metres…More
Both performance and aesthetics are important considerations in stair balustrade design. A stairwell or stairway is a space where furniture is largely or totally absent, so balustrade is usually the focal point which allows design expression and defines the overall look. When it forms part of a more open space – for example, providing access…More
The external use of combustible materials on Care Homes with floors under 18m – just because it’s legal, does that make it moral? The building regulations that came into force on 21st December 2018 ban the use of combustible materials on the external walls of residential developments over 18m above ground level. This means that…More
Over the last few years the topic of environmental impact has become an increasingly important factor for key decision makers in the construction industry. This is perhaps due to both reasons of morality (we would all like to think we are doing our part to help the environment) and because it helps with a project’s…More
This article provides advice on designing balcony balustrades, including building regulations, performance and installation. Relevant Building Regulations The latest Building Regulations, which arrived in December 2018, ban the use of combustible materials in balconies. As a result, architects and developers are no longer permitted to use a number of materials that were commonly used…More
This article outlines the balcony fire regulations which came into effect in December 2018. As we have noted in a previous blog, in the past few years there has been an undercurrent of action within the construction industry to address a need for improved fire safety on balconies. When the Grenfell disaster threw an…More
