Tag: Laminate Glass

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]

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]

Recent Ban on Laminated Glass

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Statement on recent Ban on Laminated Glass

  • For many years toughened glass has been the material of choice for quality balustrades, however it does pose significant safety risks if broken due to the lack of integrity of the remaining balustrade and the dangers of falling particles.
  • For over 20 years, Sapphire has been at the forefront of the industry change to specify laminated (double layer) rather than monolithic (single layer) glass as this significantly reduces these risks.
  • The recent legislative changes to the building regulations AD B has effectively banned the use of laminated glass in balustrades due to it containing a small amount of flammable material in the interlayer, however it still permits its use in the adjacent windows.
  • Sapphire, along with many other industry leaders, feel this ban was inadvertent and the risk of fire spread from the interlayer is minimal compared with the risks of reverting to monolithic glass and have been actively lobbying those responsible.
  • Thankfully, the government department responsible (MHCLG) has now commissioned a working group to review the wording of the new regulation and its overall impact on building safety, and to propose alternatives by end July.
  • Sapphires technical director Andrew Parsons has been selected to contribute to this consultation and we will use this forum and the upcoming BS5479 draft to update the industry as soon as further clarity emerges.

Laminate Glass Interlayer: Ban or Not?
Please URGENTLY fill out the below survey to enable us to lobby the government for clarity on laminate glass.

Can not see this survey? Complete here.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”6104″ heading=”Whitepaper: Laminate Glass” button_text=”Download Laminate Glass Whitepaper” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Flaminate-whitepaper%2F|title:Laminate%20Glass%20Whitepaper|target:_blank”]Is Laminate Glass a safety risk or a safety benefit?[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”6377″ heading=”Book a Fire Safety CPD” button_text=”Book a Fire CPD” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fcpd-presentations%2F|title:CPD%20Presentations|target:_blank”]Sapphire offers two CPDs on fire safety for balconies.[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][sapphire_cta background_colour=”Green” custom_background_image=”” heading_colour=”Dark Blue” heading=”Explore the Cladding Ban in Detail” text_colour=”Dark Blue” button_colour=”White” button_text=”Read our Cladding Ban Summary” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Fcladding-ban-summary%2F|title:Cladding%20Ban%20Summary|target:_blank” alignment=”Left”][/sapphire_cta][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][sapphire_cta background_colour=”Green” custom_background_image=”” heading_colour=”Dark Blue” heading=”Event Recording: A Debate on Laminate Glass” text_colour=”Dark Blue” button_colour=”White” button_text=”Access Recording” button_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fbalconies.balconies.global%2Fsapphirebalconieslz%2F%2FEventMgr_BookEvent1.aspx%3FeID%3D38|title:Debate%20on%20Laminate%20Glass%20Recording|target:_blank” alignment=”Left”][/sapphire_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Ask the Expert: The Combustible Cladding Ban & Balconies

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Following the tragic events at Grenfell, the Government has published regulations banning the use of combustible materials in external walls of high rise buildings and confirmed this now includes balconies.

How do the regulations impact balcony construction?

It is now mandatory that balconies located within 1m of a relevant boundary or situated more than 18m above ground level must have non combustible decking. The new regulations came into force on 21 December 2018. The regulations do not apply where an initial notice has been given to, or full plans deposited with, a local authority before that date.

Does Sapphire offer a Class A decking solution?

Yes. Sapphire is working with MyDek who have developed a ribbed aluminium decking in a range of finishes which carries a Class A classification.

Does the addition of a balcony soffit reduce the spread of fire?

Following extensive research by Sapphire at the Exova test centre in Warrington, we discovered that a suitable soffit to balconies offers a substantial contribution to limiting the spread of fire on domestic balconies, for a number of reasons including;

a) Limiting the supply of oxygen feeding the fire from below.
b) Preventing burning debris from falling from the burning balcony.
c) Reflecting and deflecting the heat rising from the fire, and thus preventing it reaching the balcony above.
d) Deflecting jetting flame from an apartment fire away from the building.

Do Sapphire balconies thermal break connections comply with the new legislation?

Yes. Sapphire use a material of limited combustibility in their thermal break. The product is generally located just above the fire barrier and encapsulated between steel plates, so the possible exposure is extremely low. The revision to AD B confirms this meets the requirements of the regulation.

https://youtu.be/Av9bJCHoKzA[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”6377″ heading=”Book a Fire Safety CPD” button_text=”Book Fire CPD” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fcpd-presentations%2F|title:CPD%20Presentations”]Sapphire offers two CPDs on fire safety for balconies.[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”3774″ heading=”Summary: Cladding Ban” button_text=”Explore the Cladding Ban” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Fcladding-ban-summary%2F|title:Cladding%20Ban%20Summary|target:_blank”]Explore the cladding ban and its effects on balcony design.[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”6104″ heading=”Whitepaper: Laminate Glass” button_text=”Download Laminate Glass Whitepaper” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Flaminate-whitepaper%2F|title:Laminate%20Glass%20Whitepaper|target:_blank”]Is Laminate Glass a safety risk or a safety benefit?[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Ban on Combustible Balcony Materials

Posted on by Sajjad B

[vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_textBlock]Did you know that the government recently announced it is banning combustible materials on new high-rise homes? This means that cladding and balconies on buildings over 18m high will have to be fire resistant, achieving class than A2-s1, d0 or Class A1 (under the European classification system set out in the standard BS EN 13501-1) subject to exemptions.

Up until now regulations have allowed cladding to Class B and balconies were not regulated unless they formed part of an escape route. However, the regulations have been laid in parliament on 29 November 2018 which will give legal effect to the ban that was initially announced this summer. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (James Brokenshire) said in The House of Commons on Thursday November 29 2018:

“We recognised the strength of feeling on combustible cladding and having consulted, announced a clear ban on the use of combustible materials on the external walls of new buildings over 18 metres containing flats, as well as new hospitals, residential care premises, dormitories in boarding schools and student accommodation over 18 metres. Today regulations have been laid to give legal effect to the ban.”

The ban became effective from 21st December 2018, however it does not apply to buildings retrospectively and also does not apply to buildings where full plans are in AND work started by 21st February 2019.

To help our clients and partners understand the effects of this ban we have recently published a Summary Document ‘Combustible cladding ban: The answers you need to; when, what, why and how it effects balcony design?’

Read Sapphire’s Complete Summary Document

Frequently asked questions (cladding ban FAQ’s)

1. Does this regulation apply to the interlayer in laminated glass
a. Balustrades are not specifically mentioned. However our understanding is that the glass and interlayers of glass balustrades is exempt. Sapphire are writing to the government requesting written clarification of this point.
b. Exclusions include ‘window frames and GLASS’ and 12.14d confirms this includes laminated glass.

2. Does this apply to decking on a terrace on buildings over 18m
a. The primary legislation states ‘the roof of the building shall…resist the spread of fire…’
b. The new regulations relate specifically to walls and attachments thereto.
c. It would be prudent to consider the advantages of class A2 decking in these situations.

3. Can I still have lights in the decking or soffit, or attach products like PV panels to the balcony?
a. There is a specific exemption for electrical equipment, so this would allow for lights in soffit or decking.

4. Does the Sapphire thermal break comply with the new regulations
a. Yes they do. The requirements of maintaining a fire barrier at this junction is important.

5. Will this apply to my current projects;
a. Whilst the ban starts on 21/12/2018, it does not apply retrospectively and not if full plans are in AND work is started by 21/02/2019. We would recommend being an early adopter anyway.

6. How does the 18m Rule apply?
a. If the building is over 18m the whole façade and balconies need to be of a minimum of Class A2-s1,d0 (not just the parts of the building which are over 18m)
b. Buildings under 18m in height are able to use materials which aren’t class A. That said, we would recommend that it is prudent to consider class A anyway and we would strongly advise a minimum of a class B decking with a Class A soffit.[/sapphire_textBlock][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row width=”70″ background_image=””][vc_column][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”6377″ heading=”Book a Fire Safety CPD” button_text=”Book a Fire CPD” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Fcpd-presentations%2F|title:CPD%20Presentations|target:_blank”]Sapphire offers two CPDs on fire safety for balconies.[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_contentLink order=”Content left / image right” image=”3774″ heading=”Summary: Cladding Ban” button_text=”Explore the Cladding Ban” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Fcladding-ban-summary%2F|title:Cladding%20Ban%20Summary|target:_blank”]Explore the cladding ban and its effects on balcony design.[/sapphire_contentLink][sapphire_contentLink order=”Image left / content right” image=”6104″ heading=”Whitepaper: Laminate Glass” button_text=”Download Laminate Glass Whitepaper” button_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2Fbalconies%2Fknowledge%2Ffire-safety%2Flaminate-whitepaper%2F|title:Laminate%20Glass%20Whitepaper|target:_blank”]Is Laminate Glass a safety risk or a safety benefit?[/sapphire_contentLink][/vc_column][/vc_row]