Category: Drainage
Kew Bridge Gate (Buildings E-H), Brentford
What is the Best Balcony Drainage Method?
Understanding Balcony Drainage
How to Drain a Balcony
Balcony drainage is important to prevent an accumulation of water which can be unsanitary and cause structural damage. Our Cassette® balconies are drained with the use of soffits with the choice of positive, free or controlled drainage.
What are the balcony drainage building regulations in the UK?
The building regulations require adequate provisions be made for rainwater to be carried from the roof of the building.
Approved Document H3 does not clearly state whether balconies are considered to be part of ‘the roof’, so this question is therefore down to individual interpretation. Different clients and different Building Control inspectors have their own views on what is required to comply with the regulation.
Section 1
Has a table showing that roof areas under 6m2 do not require drainage, whereas larger roof areas do. This is interpreted by some to mean that balconies over 6m2 require drainage to an outlet. Others interpret this as applying only to roofs, not to projecting balconies.
Section 1.13
Describes ‘Eaves Drop Systems’ where water is dripped from an edge, subject to certain considerations which are listed, primarily the need to protect persons using doorways below, and the need to protect the fabric of the building from water ingress.
Does the NHBC require balcony drainage?
According to the NHBC “Pitched Roof” guidance, section 7.2.22 states drainage should be provided on balconies where the area is 6m2 or over. However, the guidance also states that consideration should be given to providing drainage to smaller balconies.
NHBC guidance documents contain section 7.1 which is entitled ‘Flat roofs and balconies’. This guidance is a bit more specific than the Approved Document, as it uses the word balcony in several places, but it is still open to different interpretations.
In clauses such as 7.1D8, the guidance makes a distinction of ‘balconies functioning as roofs’. By inference, balconies not functioning as roofs do not have the same requirements, but this is not clearly stated.
Clause 7.1
D9 states that ‘balconies shall have adequate rainwater disposal to a suitable outfall’. It does not go into detail of what constitutes a suitable outfall. It then speaks of the ‘cumulative effect of water discharging from multiple balconies in vertical alignment’. This clearly indicates that NHBC expect that in some cases water will be discharged into the open, not into a RWP.
The guidance also contains a comment that ‘Open slatted balcony decking should drain away from the dwelling’. This is open to interpretation.
Appendix 7.1
D focuses on balcony drainage and shows 3 typical sections. However, these are all concrete balconies with upstands which could trap water and form a pond, which is not relevant for metal balconies. None of the sections address how metal balconies should be drained. An NHBC publication in February 2010 explains that the drawings show concrete as ‘these are potentially more difficult to meet with the principles, rather than freestanding balcony structures (typically constructed from steel)’. This infers that requirements for metal balconies are less onerous as there is less risk of water penetration, but no detail is given.
Section 7.2
D15 says ‘Roofs greater than 6m2 in area should be provided with rainwater gutters and downpipes’. It does not mention balconies.
What are the main factors in deciding about balcony drainage?
1. Cost
Free draining balconies are the lowest in cost. The addition of a drip tray typically adds around 10%. Incorporating positive drainage to a Rain Water Pipe (RWP) typically adds a further 25% and also makes the construction significantly more complex.
2. Appearance
Free draining balconies tend to look quite industrial, as the structure and decking are usually visible when looking up at the building. The addition of a soffit/drip tray greatly enhances the appearance. The addition of a RWP is typically a visual detriment, unless it can be incorporated within the façade, which adds complexity. Also, balconies draining to a RWP need to be significantly deeper to accommodate the pipework, which makes them look more chunky.
3. Safety
With free draining balconies, there is a risk of hot liquids being spilt on a balcony and falling through gaps onto residents below. A drip tray reduces this risk by draining water to the edge of the balcony. A RWP eliminates the risk altogether.
4. Facade Staining
Every situation will be different, but with free draining balconies, there is an increased risk that water will track along the support arms and run down the façade, giving a greater likelihood of staining. Positive drainage is likely to reduce this risk.
Other points to consider when choosing a balcony drainage option
If there are no balconies, rainwater falls directly to the ground, or runs down the façade. Adding free draining projecting balconies to a building does not increase the amount of rain which reaches the ground.
Some residents like to think of a balcony as a covered storage space where items do not get too wet. Other residents like to think of a balcony as an outdoor garden where they can grow plants, and rainwater is welcomed.
Grooved decking boards are commonly used as a surface. Experience has shown that the majority of rainwater falling on a decking board will run along the grooves and drip off the end of the board. For this reason it is generally better to run decking parallel with the building line, otherwise there can be a substantial amount of water dripping of adjacent to the façade, giving an increased risk of staining or water penetration.
A stack of balconies can be considered somewhat like a tree. When it starts to rain, the balconies (like leaves and branches) trap and collect water so you would get less wet standing underneath than you would when standing in the open. However, if rain persists, water will start to drip in some places, not a very even pattern. After the rain has stopped, water will continue to drip for a while, as it does from a tree.
Taking water from projecting balconies back inside the building envelope to a RWP generates the risk of water ingress if anything goes wrong or gets blocked. Some clients believe drainage to a drip edge is therefore a more satisfactory long term solution than draining to a RWP.
How can standardisation reduce my development costs?
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Brent Cross Town (Plot 12)
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History
Just 12 minutes from St. Pancras International and the heart of London, Brent Cross Town is the vibrant new redevelopment of Brent Cross Cricklewood. Best known as part of a commercial district with one of the UK’s largest shopping destinations, Brent Cross has been given a refresh in the 2020s as part of Argent Group’s Brent Cross Town redevelopment scheme, bringing 6,700 new homes to the area and a vision for the development to be carbon net zero by 2030.
Streamlined by Design, Delivered by Sapphire
Sapphire played a key role in supporting Maccreanor Lavington, Whittam Cox and Argent Group’s aspiration for a clean, safe and aesthetically unique development at Brent Cross Town (formerly known as Brent Cross Plot 12). This aspiration was part of the core constraint of the development – water management.
Water management was core to the design – both Sapphire and architects Maccreanor Lavington & Whittam Cox needed proof that waterlogging would not be risked at the ground level. Sapphire supplies a unique rainwater management plan alongside our innovative controlled edge drainage method, meaning no rear water pipes would be needed throughout any balcony elevations on the plot. Furthermore, drainage channels were incorporated into the hard landscaping below the balconies, meaning the controlled drainage option could be used.
Sapphire worked alongside the architects, client and contractors to standardise the original design plan. Rationalisation here meant bringing a cantilevered Cassette® balcony to more sections of the project and making the project more cost-effective for our customers.
Brent Cross Town called for a visual flair, so Sapphire worked to add a bespoke laser-cut aluminium panel to some elevations, giving the project its now distinctive aesthetic appeal.[/sapphire_textBlock]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
Wheatstone House, Chiswick
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History
Wheatstone House in Brentford stands prominently beside the bustling Brentford flyover, marking its presence at a busy intersection. This strategic location demanded a balcony design that not only complemented the urban setting but also addressed the specific challenges associated with its high-traffic environment. In partnership with L&Q and their Quadrant Construction division, Sapphire embarked on a mission to develop balcony solutions that would meet the project’s unique needs while enhancing the residential experience for Wheatstone House occupants.
Streamlined by Innovation, Delivered by Sapphire
The collaborative process began with Sapphire presenting their CPD to L&Q and Quadrant Construction, offering vital insights into the essential principles of successful balcony integration. This initial step laid the groundwork for a detailed examination of the project specifics, leading to significant design and implementation strategy refinements.
A critical aspect of the collaboration was optimising the balcony anchor design. By streamlining this component, Sapphire ensured a robust and efficient connection between the balconies and the building, crucial for the structural integrity and safety of the installations. Additionally, key decisions regarding glazing privacy and safety were meticulously evaluated. The choice to use laminate glass over monolithic options for the balcony glazing reflected a commitment to resident safety and privacy, aligning with the highest standards of building regulations and resident comfort.
Furthermore, Sapphire ingeniously incorporated drainage solutions into the underside of the balconies. This approach not only simplified water management but also proved to be a cost-effective strategy, eliminating the need for complex and expensive drainage systems. By integrating the drainage directly into the balcony design, Sapphire was able to ensure that water management was both efficient and aesthetically pleasing, avoiding the visual clutter often associated with external drainage solutions.
Wheatstone House, Brentford, exemplifies the power of targeted collaboration and innovation in addressing the specific challenges of urban development. Through their partnership with L&Q and Quadrant Construction, Sapphire Balconies demonstrated their expertise in delivering tailored balcony solutions that enhance both the functionality and the aesthetic appeal of residential buildings. The project stands as a testament to Sapphire’s ability to simplify the balcony journey, from conceptualisation to implementation, ensuring that each design element contributes to a coherent and practical urban living space.[/sapphire_textBlock]
Elephant Park H4 & H5
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History
Elephant Park H4 is a vast £2.5 billion redevelopment by Lendlease at Elephant and Castle, in the heart of the capital. This landmark project is being delivered in partnership with Southwark Council. It is primed to have significant social value not only to the residents of Elephant Park but also to the surrounding community.
The scheme will bring 3,000 new homes, 1,000 new jobs and up to 50,000 sq. ft of workspace to the area once complete, as well as extensive green spaces, shops and amenities. Lendlease has taken a holistic approach to generating homes and nurturing a neighbourhood and sense of community surrounding Elephant Park.
Sapphire balcony was commissioned to design and manufacture balconies for this project. Brand new handrail extrusion profiled and vertical bars were bespoke to suit architect requirements.
Varied solutions were offered based on their requirements. Some balconies needed the installation of privacy screens, while some were inset balconies between into-reveals.
Streamlined by Innovation, Delivered by Sapphire
There were two main challenges with the Elephant Park H4 project. The first challenge was the new bespoke design of the balustrade was tricky. Underneath, the handrail had to be levelled to get the right finish.
The second biggest challenge of the project was it started with no soffits but was upgraded to Class B decking. It was due to fire risk and regulation changes, which became a challenge as we had to offer solutions at the last minute.
Our team of experts at Sapphire designed purpose-made bespoke extrusions for both the handrail and the vertical bar to stay in alignment with the needs of the architects.
Controlled drainage was proposed for the soffits and the level 1 gutter balconies over principal entrances.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”12012″ heading=”Balcony model available in COACH” button_text=”Open in COACH” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcoach.balconies.global%2Fbalcony-page%3FtemplateId%3Da086e1f6-fad7-4f5f-8351-08daef04dc2d%26templateAction%3D2%23%2F|title:View%20this%20Balcony%20in%20COACH|target:_blank”]Generate carbon savings reports, IFC, DWG, NBS Spec. and more.[/sapphire_contentLink]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
Park East, Erith
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“We’ve had a really good experience with Sapphire. Quality is good, we’ve had a good experience with them before and that’s why we’re using them again here.”
Project Manager, Wates Residential
History
Arthur Street in Erith represents a collaborative effort between Sapphire, Wates, and JTP Architects to create a residential development that not only adheres to the aspirations of the London Plan and the former London Housing Design Guide but also maximizes living quality for its residents. The project’s initial designs featured innovative corner balconies with integrated columns, aiming to offer residents expansive dual-aspect views that enhance the living experience within the urban landscape.
Streamlined by Innovation, Delivered by Sapphire
Understanding the complexities and potential cost implications of the initial design, Sapphire worked closely with Wates and JTP Architects from the early stages to refine and simplify the balcony construction process. The breakthrough came with the decision to design the balconies independently from the balcony columns. This strategic alteration allowed for all balcony components to be manufactured offsite, reducing the overlap on trades and streamlining the installation process without compromising the architectural intent of providing dual-aspect views.
This approach not only facilitated a reduction in design costs but also contributed to an improvement in thermal performance across the development. By simplifying the balcony design, Sapphire and the project team were able to implement an edge-drained approach to balcony drainage, further enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the outdoor spaces. This innovative drainage solution not only simplified the construction process but also ensured a clean and unobtrusive aesthetic for the balconies.
The Arthur Street project exemplifies how early collaboration and innovative thinking can lead to significant improvements in design efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall building performance. Sapphire’s involvement was instrumental in transforming the balcony design to be more manufacturable while still achieving the desired architectural outcomes. This project stands as a testament to the value of integrating offsite manufacturing techniques with thoughtful architectural design, resulting in a development that offers enhanced living spaces and views for its residents within the evolving urban context of Erith.[/sapphire_textBlock]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
One Lime Street, Dublin
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History
Lime Street, Dublin, located in the Docklands, has historically been tied to the city’s industrial past, named after lime kilns that operated there in the 18th and 19th centuries. The area has since transformed from an industrial hub into a modern, tech-driven district known as Silicon Docks.
One Lime Street is a recently completed residential development located in Dublin’s vibrant Docklands area, in the heart of the Silicon Docks. The development comprises 216 one- and two-bedroom apartments, designed with a strong focus on modern living, offering high-spec interiors, stylish bathrooms, and are fully furnished to a high standard.
Streamlined by Innovation, Delivered by Sapphire
Marlet Property Group, in collaboration with BAM Ireland, sought to deliver a project that exceeded market standards, despite the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of One Lime Street was driven by an aspiration to create a best-in-class residential scheme in Dublin’s rapidly growing Docklands area. The scale of the project was unprecedented compared to previous developments, which required a high level of trust and confidence in the processes and technologies being employed, particularly given the restrictions on in-person visits and meetings during the pandemic.
One of the primary hurdles faced during the construction of One Lime Street was the integration of precast connections, specifically the successful implementation of balconies, which had not been achieved on previous projects. This required innovative solutions and meticulous planning to ensure the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the building. Despite these challenges, at Sapphire, we were committed to overcoming these obstacles, leveraging our experience and expertise to deliver a high-quality outcome for Marlet Property Group & BAM Ireland.
The success of the project was largely attributed to the strong trust and collaboration between all parties involved, including the client, contractor, and architects. By demonstrating the reliability and effectiveness of the systems in use, the team was able to instil confidence and streamline the development process. This collaborative approach ensured that the project not only met but exceeded the expectations of all stakeholders, setting a new benchmark for residential developments in the area.[/sapphire_textBlock]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
The Grange, Dublin
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“[Sapphire’s] commitment to staying on site and reschedule their ferry home twice is much appreciated. The professional manner on how Sapphire approach their works is acknowledged and applauded.”
Site Manager, John Paul Construction
History:
The Grange Residences sits in Stillorgan, a few kilometres outside of Dublin’s city centre. The town has featured many new housing developments since the early 1930s, amenities and an old village centre, and exists now as a community-driven residential area a stone’s throw from Dublin itself. The Grange is a brand-new residential development that features 250 balconies manufactured and supplied by Sapphire Balconies.
Streamlined by Ingenuity, Delivered by Sapphire:
Sapphire worked closely with John Paul Construction to assist in realising their aspiration for ‘picture-framed’ balconies, without the need for structural support columns. Their dilemma was that support columns would require extra groundwork, extra time on-site, and a potential extra cost to manufacture.
With the task in hand to remove the need for structural columns whilst still ‘framing’ the balconies, Sapphire streamlined this project through ingenuity. We created non-structural columns for the balconies, manufactured off-site. The balconies were initially lifted into position as on a normal Glide-On™ job, after which the outside columns were brought in to be fitted, framing the balconies as requested, without taking any of the weight of the balconies, which were fully supported by the building without any strain on the structure.[/sapphire_textBlock]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