Tag: Fire Regulation

Grenfell Remembered

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]With the eighth anniversary of the fatal fire at London’s Grenfell Tower upon us, it is appropriate to consider again the impact of this tragedy on the design and construction of high-rise apartment buildings and the remediation of existing multi-storey buildings.

Naturally, we think also of the 72 Grenfell victims and the continuing grief of survivors, families and friends.

As with many human tragedies, there is much to be learnt. In this case it is mostly about methods and materials, as highlighted in Dame Judith Hackitt’s report following a lengthy public enquiry. Her report was sharply critical of the industry’s failure to self-regulate – and its tendency to cut corners.

Grenfell has focused attention on the choice of external cladding materials for decorative, thermal or protective purposes. In fact, several thousand buildings nationwide were identified as having significant defects – and the new Building Safety Act should prevent future use of ‘dangerous’ products.

It has also underscored the importance of adequate evacuation and firefighting provisions in medium to high-rise buildings.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_imageBlock image=”12575″ notch=”” height=””][/sapphire_imageBlock][sapphire_textBlock]Government called for urgent remedial work on the many tower blocks clad with potentially dangerous materials and systems. It is an expensive process, challenging developers, social housing organisations and private owners. The general view is that ‘those responsible’ should bear the costs, but ‘they’ may be hard to find. In fairness, some 45 building firms have already pledged £5 billion to repair defective buildings.

It has also been noted that there is a nationwide shortage of skills for both installation and remediation of cladding and other defects in the existing UK stock of apartment buildings.

There has been progress, but it has been slow and there is still much work to be done. Regulatory changes since Grenfell mean that new residential buildings now embody much stricter safety measures – in terms of construction materials, design and escape provisions. This is evident in the amended Part B of the UK’s Building Regulations, which helps to ensure that a home is truly a safe haven.

But there is still a large stock of high-rise homes designed and built before amendments to the regulations came into force.

Some would argue that progress has been too slow, but at least there has been movement.

Whatever changes are achieved in the fabric of buildings, one thing that cannot be altered is the grief of survivors and bereaved relatives and friends of the victims. The Grenfell Foundation is a registered charity set up to provide independent support and advocacy for the former residents of Grenfell Tower and the bereaved families and dependents.

If you’d like to donate or find out more visit https://www.grenfellfoundation.org.uk/[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What is StubGuard®?

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]In the wake of Grenfell and the introduction of the combustible cladding ban of 2018, fire safety and thermal performance in modern construction have become the highest, non-negotiable priorities when developing housing, especially in high-rise buildings where balcony connections present unique challenges.

What is StubGuard®?

Presented with the challenge of protecting the horizontal fire barrier while effectively penetrating it to allow for a balcony connection, Sapphire has created an innovative solution: the StubGuard®.

StubGuard® seamlessly integrates into horizontal cavity barriers, fixed via wrap compression for a secure fit on balcony anchors and is suitable for cavities up to 300mm wide.

 

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Fire barrier and thermal performance benefits of StubGuard®

StubGuard® is an essential component of the cavity barrier system when connecting a balcony, and helps developers meet strict fire safety regulations, including Gateway 2.

Certified under Certifire® and tested to BS EN 1366-4, StubGuard® provides a compliant and reliable fire-stopping solution while simplifying the installation process.

StubGuard® is designed to protect the continuity of the fire barrier by acting as a consistent fire protection element. This eliminates the need for down stands, maintains a seamless protective layer, and has effective fire-stopping integrity and insulation for up to 120 minutes.

When used with Sapphire’s new G25 steel stub, the need for a wraparound of the I-beam is reduced, making it easier to integrate into the facade due to a smaller profile streamlined abutments. Thanks to our dedicated research and development team, we’ve been able to optimise the chi (χ) value per connection, reducing thermal bridging and enhancing overall building performance.

StubGuard® is often included with Sapphire balcony anchors and can be requested for most projects, allowing projects to benefit from this advanced fire-stopping technology. Now available with a smaller profile on our G25 anchor steel stubs, simplified abutments, and proven fire performance, it is a game-changer for achieving compliance without complexity.

For further details, we can provide full test reports upon request. To explore the science behind fire safety in balcony design, read the full StubGuard® data sheet now.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLinkBottom image=”3619″ heading=”Technical Manual – StubGuard®” button_text=”Read now” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Ftechnicalmustread|title:Technical%20Manual%20-%20StubGuard%C2%AE|target:_blank”]Sapphire’s must read documents on StubGuard®.[/sapphire_contentLinkBottom][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

How can I build a wind mitigation strategy into my balconies?

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Necessarily, we can’t design against a resident stepping out onto their balcony, but one thing we can provide is wind mitigation.

A common issue raised by residents of high-rise buildings is using their balconies in instances of strong weather. Whilst it is inadvisable to use a balcony in periods of dangerously high winds, by using appropriate precautions, a balcony still can be used at heights, where the wind is commonly at its strongest. These can come in the form of appropriate balustrading for height, fire safety protection and the correct types of glass used.

We’ve prepared some information below on how wind protection is key for fire safety, what the optimal height for a balcony should be to protect against the wind and issues that have been raised with laminate glass in recent years.

How can wind protection be linked to fire safety?

Mitigating against the wind isn’t just to keep a balcony steady in extreme weather. A further and possibly more important factor is how taking safety precautions in the design of a balcony can protect against fire.

It is advised to never allow the use of fire sources on balconies. This is not only for the immediate safety of the residents, but also to prevent the spread of fire between balconies. Unpredictable wind patterns at high altitudes could mean embers travel between each building more easily than expected.

Taking wind speed into account during the design process is incredibly important. Measuring from ground level will provide a relatively accurate reading of wind speed for the first two or three floors, but at higher altitudes, the relative wind speed increases drastically, meaning more protection will be needed on balconies at height. If a fire were to break out in a high-rise building, one factor that would need to be considered is airflow. As access to oxygen is a core part of keeping a fire alight, excess airflow will mean a fire staying alight. This can be prevented with strong, stable guarding.

Can we use laminate glass?

In 2018, laminate glass was banned in the UK for use on balcony balustrades due to an oversight in new standards regarding combustible cladding. This is problematic for many reasons, but one reason can be from a wind mitigation perspective.

How can we mitigate against the wind at heights?

The optimal height of a balcony should be considered when installing it on a project, or to be more specific, the optimal height for certain types of balustrading. Vertical bar balustrades can be used without issue at lower altitudes due to a lesser need to mitigate against the weather, but the further up a building a balcony is installed, the more care needs to be taken with the type of balustrading used.

Depending on the natural wind speed observed in the build area, the lower frameless structural glass balustrading will be necessary. An incredibly common comment made by residents with balcony access is that the weather can discourage them from using their balcony in the first place. Introducing structural glass, which guards against the wind as a solid barrier, means the balcony can be comfortably and safely used even in strong winds.

It’s also possible to lessen the impact of wind using perforated balustrades. Similarly to structural glass, perforated sheet balustrades can act as a structural element and a barrier against the wind, able to take the impact of strong winds and guard the resident from the elements.

Sapphire has conducted extensive research to develop the optimal wind mitigation solution, concluding that a multiple-angled bar system, applied in two directions, is the most effective. This system enhances wind flow management, prevents eddies at floor level, balances privacy and openness, and improves structural performance, despite increased material costs and design complexity. We are currently working on a whitepaper that aims to help the industry both understand proper wind mitigation strategies on balcony balustrades as well as encourage the industry to adopt strategies that will benefit the end-user.

We’ve included links below to more research on wind mitigation as well as our very own whitepaper on the risks associated with monolithic glass and the case for laminate glass. Feel free to click below to read more.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” image=”712″ heading=”Specify Your Bespoke Balcony” button_text=”Specify Now” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcabs.balconies.global%2Fbalcony-configurator%2F|||” double_height=””][vc_column][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”14035″ heading=”Laminate Glass Whitepaper” button_text=”Download now” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Flaminate-whitepaper%2F|title:Download|target:_blank” double_height=””][/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What Can I Do To Maximize Thermal Performance in My Modern Development?

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Considering the ever-fluctuating temperature across North America from season to season, the thermal performance of your building should be considered from concept to completion.  

The difference between a balcony by Sapphire and a traditional concrete slab is that we’ve included a thermal performance solution as standard from the design stage. Here’s how it works. 

Understanding Thermal Bridging 

Heat will always travel by the path of least resistance – this is how thermal bridging can occur. If the materials surrounding an object are more conductive than the object itself, the heat can jump through, creating the risk of a thermal bridge. 

Homes in North America have traditionally been built with speed and cost in mind, which has historically led to cheaper, more conductive materials being used. When heat transfers through material, it will always look for the path of least resistance. Conductive materials act as a thermal bridge over the insulation.  

One of the many risks of thermal bridging is a reduction in building energy performance. Without a good thermal break solution in place, the TEDI rating of your development could be drastically lowered as energy escapes from the building, even potentially losing Passive House certification if not considered correctly. 

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Mitigation Strategies 

Mitigating against thermal bridging doesn’t need to be a headache. In fact, by using prefabricated balconies, it’s not just simple – it’s built-in. 

Low-conductivity materials are a smart choice – by limiting how conductive the material on the external envelope is, there is a smaller chance of thermal bridging occurring. 

Optimising connection details is another fundamental point to getting thermal bridging mitigation right. Producing a single, long thermal break on a concrete slab, time and resource may be unnecessarily wasted. Consider Sapphire’s solution – smaller, simpler, streamlined integrated thermal breaks. 

Sapphire’s solution comes in the form of integrated thermal breaks. When connecting a prefabricated Next Generation balcony to the building façade, thermal breaks are built into the balcony anchor points, providing not only a structurally rigid point to connect to the building, but also one that protects against heat energy loss.  [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]We commissioned a report from RDH Building Science to prove the increased thermal performance of our balcony anchors, available in full below. 

RDH Thermal Performance Report 

RDH Building Science conducted an assessment commissioned by Sapphire Balconies to evaluate the thermal performance of Sapphire’s balcony connection anchor systems. The analysis aimed to provide insights into the thermal properties, specifically the linear thermal transmittance (Psi-value) and point thermal transmittance (Chi-value), of the Sapphire Balcony system across various common North American construction details. 

Sapphire’s G60 and G25 anchors are designed to support prefabricated balconies on buildings, with features intended to minimize heat loss compared to traditional concrete balconies. The anchor system comprises steel anchors, compressible mineral wool, phenolic resin thermal breaks, and exterior cantilevered steel beams. The analysis focused on two typical North American construction details, each with varying exterior insulation depths. 

RDH’s simulations determined Psi-values and Chi-values for Sapphire’s G60 and G25 balcony systems across various North American construction details. Chi-values ranged from approximately 0.2 W/K to 0.4 W/K, influenced by anchor type, exterior insulation depth, and building enclosure detail. 

Download the full RDH report using the link below: [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_downloadBlock download_id=”13992″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Best Practices for Balcony Thermal Performance 

Considering the climate conditions across Canada, building codes that need to be met and region-specific standards such as the Toronto Green Standard – what exactly is best practice for achieving balcony thermal performance? 

Sapphire aims to maximise thermal efficiency whilst maintaining a rigid structure within our balconies. We incorporate thermal breaks in tactical locations throughout our builds in order to reduce total heat loss – these can be located between the floors and ceilings of the apartments in question, acting as an extra layer of insulation around the arms our balconies are fitted to. The insulation materials we use to form the thermal break often will help to insulate the small area in question, though architects should also consider good ceiling and flooring insulation around these junctions. 

In Summary 

Understanding thermal bridging is key to maximizing the thermal performance of modern developments.  

Between knowing that heat will always travel the path of least resistance and that by mitigating against thermal bridging, we can reduce our TEDI ratings and hit crucial targets like Canada’s NETZERO 2032 policy, we can understand that using innovative solutions for balconies isn’t just a fad – it’s the future of sustainable building.  

We’ve spoken before on thermal efficiency – visit the links below to understand more. [/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”14003″ heading=”Thermal Breaks” button_text=”Learn more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fanchors-stubs%2Fthermal-breaks-on-balconies%2F|title:Thermal%20Breaks” double_height=””]Learn more about Thermal Breaks in our bespoke article.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Luxura® sets Sapphire’s new standard, partnering with MyDek

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Formed in 2019, MyDek has spent their existence finding the ultimate solution to decking safety. With the newest iteration of their A-rated, non-combustible decking solutions, the Luxura® board, they’ve provided these benefits to over 42,000 customers and counting.

Today, Sapphire are proud to announce an exclusive partnership with MyDek that bundles MyDek’s Luxura® board onto every one of their Next Generation balconies as standard.

Bundled with Sapphire

Sapphire and MyDek have come to an exclusive agreement to fit Luxura® decking as standard on all Next Generation balconies.

The Next Generation suite comes with a range of improvements over the market standard, such as its light weight, reducing the embodied carbon footprint by up to 19% across stages A1-A5. The safety of the balcony has been improved, thanks to innovations like the Remote Locker Device (RLD) which means a balcony installation team never again needs to step out onto an unsecured load. Finally, the Next Generation balcony has more possibilities than ever, with the brand-new Clip-On connection allowing for a balcony to be secured with small hooks, one of Sapphire’s most sustainable connection solutions yet.

Benefits of Luxura®

Luxura® isn’t just better to fit – it’s better from manufacture all the way to being better for the end user.

Thanks to the smart composite material used in MyDek’s Luxura® boards, all Sapphire balconies will have superior decking performance when compared to other decking options on the market. Luxura outperforms porcelain and natural stone in robustness and doesn’t require additional subframes to be added to the balcony thanks to MyDek’s intelligent SupportRail or BoxRail fixing systems.

What’s more is that the end-user benefits too – Luxura® is better underfoot with less heat retained, no metallic sound on the foot and no metallic edges. The natural look and feel of Luxura® is exclusive to Sapphire Balconies, so why wait to secure the next revolution in decking when it’s available today.

Safety

Since the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in 2017, fire safety in cladding, balcony materials and interior design has been at the forefront of the minds of architects, developers and suppliers across the country. To that effect, the combustibility of materials has been considered at every stage by MyDek.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”5093″ heading=”Building Safety Act 2022″ button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fukpga%2F2022%2F30%2Fcontents%2Fenacted” double_height=””]Access the full Building Safety Act on the UK Government website.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Richard McMullan, Head of Brand Development at MyDek, has previously emphasised the importance of using A1 & A2-rated non-combustible materials to ensure the fire safety of their Luxura® range. MyDek have gone so far as to extensively test their range and have been awarded with a A1 EN13501 fire classification, eliminating concerns about smoke production and flaming droplets.

Given this testing, Luxura® is one of the safest options for balcony decking on the market today and their being bundled with Sapphire’s Next Generation Cassettes® serves as an advantage to both the companies and their customers alike.

Good for the customer

Luxura® serves as a compliment to Sapphire’s balconies, a compliment to our customers and a compliment to the end-user.

Luxura can be easily installed after a short amount of specialist training using MyDek’s SupportRail or BoxRail systems and requires minimal maintenance after installation, typically only needing an occasional wash to maintain its box-fresh style.

Furthermore, thanks to intelligent product design, Luxura® is resistant to a huge number of elements, including high heat, excess water, salt, sea spray and dimensional changes in different weather conditions. This means that warping, expansion and contraction in different weather conditions can be cut out of the equation, making sure your balcony’s decking stays as durable as the day it was manufactured.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”12440″ heading=”Luxura® Fire Test” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mydek.com%2Finsights%2Fstructural-fire-test-on-luxura%25ef%25b8%258f-range%2F” double_height=””]Discover the full capabilities of Luxura® in their fire test.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Finally, Luxura partners well with Sapphire’s Next Generation suite as there are More Possibilities for the design than ever before. Luxura® can be laser-engraved for customisation, meaning wood-effect, stone-effect or any other design that springs to mind can be specified at an early stage.

Conclusion

Sapphire & MyDek have come together to make balcony decking a challenge of the past.

Luxura® promises to be the most highly fire-rated decking product in the residential construction market with an A1 EN13501 fire-rating classification, BoxRail or SupportRail installation technology for ease of fitting and a customisable product that suits whatever style your development is going for.

With Luxura’s® innovations in fire safety, installation, maintenance and customisation – there’s never been a better time to specify Sapphire on your project.

Contact us today to see how a Next Generation balcony fitted with Luxura could benefit your upcoming development.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”]The Next Generation Balcony is a huge step forward for the construction market[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Designing for the long-term

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Innovation in building design can come in many forms – heat loss reduction, methods to improve the speed of installation or even a simpler way of draining water from a balcony.

However, it can be easy to forget why we strive to innovate in the first place. It is a sad truth that our climate is warming and buildings that last will have taken into consideration the needs of future generations. Renewable energy, on-site electricity generation and Passive design are all ways to avoid extra costs for the residents and avoid the need to be retrofitted in the future. All design elements must be cost-effective to maintain over time and we must be designing for the long term.

The London Housing Design Guide

There are specific requirements in London for balcony design for example. The London Housing Design Guide, published in 2010, forms a common set of design standards across all of London. One point to mention is that in all two-person dwellings, a minimum of 5m2 of private outdoor space is required, with an extra 1m2 for each additional occupant. As this is observed, it gives residents the option of fresh air and ventilation as standard.

Global solutions

In colder climates such as Canada, a focus needs to be maintained on reducing heat loss to keep each building sustainable for long-term use. As it is not always possible to design a building with an unbroken façade, it is important to consider thermal breaks. Simulations, risk analysis and research can yield powerful insights and avoid excess heat loss in cases such as the Aqua Tower in Chicago, where concrete slabs and windows were butted together, and the measures of heat loss were enormous.

New Zealand architects and builders are adopting innovative solutions in construction as their population grows, the demand for high-rise developments increases and the stricter requirements of the New Zealand Building Code continue to permeate. As the rate of construction and installation quickens, solutions such as Glide-On™ balcony Cassettes®, intelligent drainage solutions and reduced installation costs can ensure that a build stays as affordable as possible, meaning that quality builds are possible in ever-shortening timeframes.

The necessity for premises built to last is ever-increasing in the 21st-century climate. By making intelligent choices in the design phase of any new building and designing for the long term, we can make sure future generations have access to the very innovations we have enjoyed ourselves.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJ3cGJfd3JhcHBlciUyMiUzRSUzQ2RpdiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydGV4dC1vdmVybGF5JTIwbWItNSUyMiUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUzQ2ZpZ3VyZSUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUzQ2RpdiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyaW1nLWZsdWlkJTIwcmVzcG9uc2l2ZS1pbWFnZSUyMiUyMHN0eWxlJTNEJTIyYmFja2dyb3VuZC1pbWFnZSUzQXVybCUyOGh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcmVzLmNsb3VkaW5hcnkuY29tJTJGc2FwcGhpcmUtYmFsY29uaWVzJTJGaW1hZ2UlMkZ1cGxvYWQlMkZ2MTY2MDcyNjk0OCUyRkNUQTFfa2lxaTVjLnBuZyUyOSUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUzQ2ZpZ2NhcHRpb24lM0UlMjAlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlM0NoNCUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyY2FyZC10aXRsZSUyMGJvbGQlMjIlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmZvbnQtc2l6ZSUzQSUyMDQ2cHglM0IlMjIlM0VHZXQlMjBpbiUyMHRvdWNoJTNDJTJGaDQlM0UlMEElMEElM0NwJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJjb2xvciUzQSUyMHdoaXRlJTIyJTNFQ29udGFjdCUyMHVzJTIwd2l0aCUyMHlvdXIlMjBwcm9qZWN0JTIwZGV0YWlscyUyMHZpYSUyMG91ciUyMGVhc3klMjBvbmxpbmUlMjBmb3JtLiUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMEElM0NhJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJidG4lMjBidG4tc2Vjb25kYXJ5JTIyJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZsb2NhbGhvc3QlMkZiYWxjb25pZXMlMkZjb250YWN0LXVzJTIyJTIwdGFyZ2V0JTNEJTIyX2JsYW5rJTIyJTIwcmVsJTNEJTIyJTIyJTNFJTNDc3BhbiUzRUNvbnRhY3QlMjB1cyUyMHRvZGF5JTNDJTJGc3BhbiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0UlMEElMEElMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0UlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlM0MlMkZmaWdjYXB0aW9uJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTNDJTJGZmlndXJlJTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The deadline for proving competency

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]In part thanks to the cultural changes required by the Hackitt Review, the industry at large needs to make significant changes to prove its competency at work. The Building Safety Act, granted Royal Assent on the 28th of April 2022, has now introduced ground-breaking reforms to give residents and homeowners more rights and protections regarding their safety. Proving competency should be considered an industry-wide priority and with a now 7-month deadline to do so, the methods to prove competency should be clear.

Spotting areas for improvement

To prove competency by November 2023, the skills, knowledge and behaviour for every role in residential construction should be provably met. Questions need to be asked, such as whether a contractor can suitably spot inadequacies in a subcontractor’s work. Can an architect meet new design requirements without prompting? Are those involved with the external envelope building with fire-rated materials?

Higher-risk buildings need higher competence standards and so by spotting these inadequacies, raising competence can become simpler.[/sapphire_textBlock][sapphire_imageBlock image=”12445″ notch=”” height=””][/sapphire_imageBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Competency in balconies

At Sapphire, proving our competency is a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute task. Spotting potential snagging areas in our balconies needs to be something everyone on not just the factory floor, but the office, on-site staff and showroom attendants needs to be able to accomplish to guarantee our balconies are as proven, promised and trusted as you’d expect.

Our Passport app allows us to monitor the quality of our balconies from the moment they’re fabricated right through to installation onto the building façade. Any snags will be logged the moment they’re spotted to make sure faults are accurately dealt with.

What’s more, we regularly engage in cross-departmental updates and training, our supply chain team recently completing a balcony build day to show the intrepid upskilling they had been provided, managing to build one of our Glide-On™ Cassettes® to an installation standard.

Raising competence

A committee has been established within the Building Safety Regulator in order to support the industry’s work in raising competence. This committee will monitor and help to improve competence industry-wide, publishing guidance and advice for both those working within the industry and the Building Safety Regulator itself.

To raise competence, it has been suggested by the committee that organisations must provide management systems for their staff that are comprehensive and contemporary, as well as processes, policies and resources that cover all competency requirements.

Upskilling

Raising competence may not be enough to satisfy the needs required by the Building Safety Act. To become and stay compliant by November, some upskilling of current staff may be needed. For example, cross-departmental training could be beneficial. Expanded knowledge on quality control could make for huge improvements in site teams for example. Satisfying the Golden Thread means digital inspection and verification processes need to be understood across the board.

It can be highly cost-effective to upskill as opposed to hiring a consultancy company to do the same work. Hiring consultancy firms can be extremely costly as their experience comes at a premium. By upskilling your own staff in the areas required and building their competency, money can be saved and spent in other areas that may need it more.

A simple method of upskilling staff could be through a shadowing process, or ‘buddy system’. Those with more current training and updated skills could be paired with those that need training and act as an on-the-job learning experience.

The changes required by both the Hackitt Review and the Building Safety Act mean that the industry needs to make significant changes to the way it acts, the way it trains and the way it satisfies competency requirements. Between spotting areas for improvement to fulfil higher competency standards, raising competence through companies providing more comprehensive management systems and upskilling staff through better training processes, the residential construction industry has a deadline for proving its competency.

Can you prove yourself in the ever-changing world of construction competency?[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Approved Document B changes balcony guidance

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Approved Document B (ADB) was amended in June 2022, with the new guidelines laid out set to take effect from the 1st of December 2022 on projects in England. For those projects whose initial notice was given to a local authority prior to the 1st of December 2022 and either the building work has started or building work is starting within six months of the 1st of December, the prior guidelines still apply.

Fundamentally, the major amendments follow the assent of the Building Safety Act on the 28th of April 2022. Two of those amendments include a change of guidance applying above 11m (formally 18m) and a broader scope covering more building categories not previously under the requirements of Part B.

Whilst the primary focus of the document is set out as improving and limiting external fire spread, secure information boxes, evacuation alert systems and clarifications/corrections for balconies it is still a significant update. Putting this simply – Part B initially referenced balconies 22 times in the 180 pages of guidance. This amendment references it an additional 16 times.

What are the Regulation B amendments?

Thanks to the new amendments, ADB now features a section dedicated to balconies. The 10.10 guidance specifically applies the following requirements:

In buildings that include a ‘residential’ purpose (purpose groups 1 and 2) with a storey 11m or more in height (see Diagram D6) balconies should meet either of the following conditions.

  1. Only contain materials achieving class A1 or A2-s1, d0, except for any of the following.
    1. Cavity trays when used between two leaves of masonry.
    2. Intumescent and fire-stopping materials where the inclusion of the materials is necessary to meet the requirements of Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.
  • Membranes.
  1. Seals, gaskets, fixings, sealants and backer rods.
  2. Thermal break materials where the inclusion of the materials is necessary to meet the thermal bridging requirements of Part L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.
  3. Any material achieving class A1fl or A2fl-s1 when it forms the top horizontal floor layer of a balcony and is provided with an imperforate substrate under it which extends to the full size of the class A1fl or A2fl-s1 material.
  • Electrical installations.
  • Fibre optic cables.
  1. Achieve both of the following conditions.
  1. Have an imperforate soffit which extends to the full area of the balcony, achieves a minimum REI 30 rating, and is constructed of materials achieving class A2-s1, d0 or better.
  2. Materials achieving class B-s1, d0 or worse extending beyond the boundary of a single compartment should include a band of material rated class A2-s1, d0 or better, a minimum of 300mm in width centred on that boundary line.

Clause 10.15 (previously, now clause 10.21) includes an additional point to the list:

Any material achieving class A1fl or A2fl-s1 in accordance with BS EN 13501-1 is exempted when it meets both of the following conditions.

  1. It forms the top horizontal floor layer of a balcony.
  2. It is provided with an imperforate substrate under it which extends to the full size of the class A1fl or A2fl-s1 material.

How do the Regulation B amendments affect balconies?

Firstly, there are now two options in 10.10 for achieving compliance:

10.10 (a) – Other than for height, this is not new guidance for balconies, following the ‘cladding ban’ and exemption list originally published in 2018.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_imageBlock image=”12300″ notch=”” height=””][/sapphire_imageBlock][sapphire_textBlock]10.10 (b) – This is a new section which gives a second option of compliance when using combustible products.

The wording is specific but confusing. We have reached out to several thought leaders in the industry to get their opinions and clarification. Whilst we might not be able to fully unravel the implications of the new amendments, there seem to be two interpretations from most at present.

Either it can be read as a route to using laminate glass (EVA and PVB’s are both class B) if using Class A strips of 300mm centred on the balustrade line, or it may imply that where a balcony spans between two apartments, a class B material may be allowable as long as it contains a 300mm strip on the line where the vertical barriers would be located on a façade.

However, neither of these assumptions may be correct and with both, there is still doubt about whether the boundary means the façade, the balcony balustrade or something else entirely. There is doubt about how the centred 300mm strip is in relation to the boundary. There is doubt around the examples of class B products expected to be used in balconies – is laminate glass anticipated to be included here or will an entirely different product be used?

To seek clarity, Sapphire continues to work with the ICM to try and seek clarity from the Department for Levelling Up and Local Communities (DfLULC) and the National Fire Chief Council (NFCC). Both parties have been present in the creation of these amendments.

Update, April 2023: At the time of initial publication, Sapphire were seeking clarity from both the Department for Levelling Up and Local Communities (DfLULC) and the National Fire Chief Council (NFCC). Since publication, the DfLULC has responded to us to provide clarity on the 300mm non-combustible strip referred to in point 10.10bii. Summarily, this is referring to balconies which span between two different apartments and the intention is to inhibit horizontal fire spread between the two parts of the balcony. In other words, seeking to avoid a fire spreading from one apartment to another by skipping the compartmentation. 

The changes to Part B have meant a restriction of the materials used to construct balconies and balcony balustrades with consideration for fire safety in mind. Prior to the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, balconies were referenced directly when used as a means of escape from fire and as a means of resisting fire spread, but these additional 16 references show the shift in the perception of balconies as a critical component of fire safety.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Stub interfaces

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Whilst Glide-On technology has made the installation of a balcony quicker than ever, making sure the anchors, arms and stub interfaces are correct can take careful consideration. The area between the doors and the concrete slab is very small with a lot of intricate design work and taking firestopping, water and weatherproofing into account is crucial. However, with minimal build-up, your anchor and firestop solution can still fit in the slab space available, and Sapphire has the solutions to make this stress-free.

Firestops

Protecting the penetrations on a façade from potential fire risk is incredibly important and one way to do so is through firestops. A firestop is a form of passive fire protection that is used to seal penetrations, openings, and joints between different compartments, maintaining the continuity of a cavity barrier.

One type of firestop is Sapphire’s StubGuard, a mineral-fibre firestop, snugly covering the stub of a balcony’s arm anchor. The StubGuard has become a common choice amongst developers considering the need for extensive firestop testing, bolstering fire engineering judgements in this area. The StubGuard can be customised in depth increments of 50mm, making it a straightforward choice for custom balcony designs and is simple to install, providing a robust solution for minimising heat loss and increasing fire protection in this critical area.[/sapphire_textBlock][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”11004″ heading=”Fire Whitepaper” button_text=”Read more” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Ffire-safety-whitepaper%2F|title:Download%20PDF|target:_blank” double_height=””][/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” image=”712″ heading=”Specify Your Bespoke Balcony” button_text=”Specify Now” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcabs.balconies.global%2Fbalcony-configurator%2F|||” double_height=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Weatherproofing balcony stubs

Weatherproofing a stub interface is crucial for not only colder or extremely wet climates but also as a preventative measure against flooding, freeze and thaw. For example, considering drainage at the design stage is vital. Should your balcony be fitted with positive, controlled edge draining or with rear-pipe draining? Each can be beneficial from either efficiency or cost perspectives, but consideration should be taken.

Solving condensation, freeze and thaw issues in balconies is a further problem-solving task in balcony design. If a balcony stub interface is not designed well where it penetrates a facade, thermal bridging can occur and compromise the thermal performance of the apartment itself. Solving this bridging issue could be as simple as making sure the interface between the building and balcony is minimised by using fewer anchors.

The best position for balcony anchors

A further important aspect of the installation to consider is the optimal positioning or spacing of a balcony’s arm anchors. Spacing the arms out can be greatly beneficial and by being flexible with the spacing of our anchors, we can ensure that the stub will work in optimal locations relevant to the structure.

Furthermore, by allowing our anchors to be positioned optimally, it decreases the need for excess penetration which could lead to thermal bridging or unwanted fire-stopping challenges.

Taking stub interfaces into account is a hugely important consideration in balcony connection and helps assist with keeping a Golden Thread of fire safety alive. Sapphire’s Passport app gives continuous balcony traceability and can assist with maintaining a Golden Thread of information around fire safety whilst being simple to install. Weatherproofing a stub interface is another key consideration as it can remove the threat of thermal bridging, condensation, freeze and thaw.

Each of these considerations should be taken at an early stage and once done, the design of your balconies could be improved considerably.

To put what you’ve learned to use, design a balcony of your own using COACH:[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”712″ heading=”Specify Your Bespoke Balcony” button_text=”Try COACH now” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcoach.balconies.global|title:Create%20your%20balcony|target:_blank” double_height=””]Tailor the balcony to your exact project requirements. Options include drainage, balustrades to soffits and many more[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Keeping your balcony safe over the holidays

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]As the nights draw in, the temperature falls well below zero and the holidays approach, it’s important to stay mindful of the risk fire can pose to an apartment even in the cold.

Keeping ourselves warm can lead us to introduce potential sources of ignition into our homes. Avoiding preventable disasters is crucial year-round but keeping your balcony safe over the holidays is key as we approach the end of the year.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Limiting the risk of balcony fires

Sapphire conducted an interview with Manchester Fire Department Officer Kevin Brelsford to discuss how to limit the risk of fire on a balcony. Please watch below:

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Five Tips for keeping your balcony fire-safe

There are five vital takeaway points from the video above. Keeping your balcony safe over the holidays can be simple by following these five steps.

    1. Minimise all ignition sources. This can mean checking that any fairy lights are kept indoors, dry and away from water. Check that there are no breaks in the wiring that could spark if plugged in. By minimising your ignition sources, fires can be prevented.
    2. Minimise any combustibles. Do not leave any recycling on a balcony as certain materials like wrapping paper or cardboard boxes can act as fuel for a fire. If even a small spark or ember reached these combustibles, a fire could easily start.
    3. All plants or trees should be kept watered. It may be tempting to keep a Christmas tree on a balcony for decorative purposes, but if done, the tree should be small and watered often to minimise any dry branches. Dry branches could act as fuel for a fire and so should be avoided.
    4. Bamboo or other dry plants should not be used on a balcony for decorative purposes. Bamboo is often used as a form of privacy on glass or vertical bar balustrades, but as a very dry plant, it also lights very easily and so should be avoided. Instead of bamboo, perhaps opt for fake ivy curtaining, which is far less likely to combust.
    5. Where possible, do not smoke on a balcony. A lit cigarette is a source of ignition, and 44% of fires are caused by smoking. Instead, opt to leave the building for a cigarette or use a lightless e-cigarette alternative.

Keeping your balcony safe over the holidays means taking small but considerate measures over the colder months. Avoid smoking on balconies and do not leave combustible materials such as wrapping paper or dry plants outside. By following these measures, both your and your neighbour’s apartment units can be kept safe and you can enjoy the end-of-year festivities with the peace of mind that safety has come first.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1701766934514{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”][sapphire_textOverlayBlock image=”6394″ heading=”Fire Whitepaper” button_text=”Download PDF” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Ffire-safety-whitepaper%2F|title:Fire%20Safety%20Whitepaper” double_height=””]Download our fire whitepaper to expand your knowledge on how best to protect residential high-rise buildings from fire.[/sapphire_textOverlayBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]

Cold weather balcony safety

Staying safe during winter is a must for all of us, but we must also understand the importance of keeping our balconies safe against freezing conditions that are common amongst communities in the northern hemisphere.

Understanding that dangers like slippage and/or thermal performance are present and being able to mitigate against them by using slip-resistant decking options or bespoke thermal breaks means that not only will the end-user be safer when on the balcony, they can also be safer and warmer inside the building too.

We’ve put together a whitepaper, summarising an experimental program undertaken by Sapphire and our development partners to assess the balcony system response to snow and ice accumulation – two phenomena that must be expected during Canadian winters. To learn more about the freeze-thaw and cold weather performance of our balconies, visit the link below.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1701767421657{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13334″ heading=”Freeze-Thaw Whitepaper” button_text=”Download” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fwhite-papers%2Ffreeze-thaw-cold-weather-performance-of-sapphire-balconies-whitepaper%2F|title:Freeze-Thaw%20%26%20Cold%20Weather%20Performance%20of%20Sapphire%20Balconies%20%E2%80%93%20whitepaper”][/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” el_id=”” el_class=”” css=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=”” order=”Image left / content right” image=”13193″ heading=”Discover Sapphire’s Next Generation Balcony” button_text=”Discover” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Four-product%2Fthe-next-generation-balcony%2F|title:The%20Next%20Generation%20Balcony”][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]