Smoke & Fire Protection Feature


Safety & Security 29


Balcony safety in high density – reimagined


Neil Windas of Alideck explores how aluminium balcony systems are becoming an integral part of safer building design, supporting robust fi re and smoke protection strategies in high density residential developments.


I


n today’s compliance-driven landscape, the balcony is no longer simply an external feature, or a design-led aesthetic amenity. With the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) now fi rmly embedded, the safety performance of balconies,


particularly their role in limiting fi re and smoke spread, has become a priority for architects designing multi occupancy and high rise buildings. Following recent changes to building regulations, including updates to


Approved Document B and the ban on combustible materials in and on external walls, on buildings over 11 m in England, the pressure is on to specify components that contribute positively to overall fi re safety. Balconies, historically a route for fi re escalation due to the use of combustible decking, now play a critical role in resident protection when specifi ed correctly.


RISKS OF LEGACY BALCONY DESIGN Several high profi le fi re incidents over the last decade have highlighted how quickly fl ames and smoke can spread vertically and horizontally via balconies. In many past cases, balconies were constructed with combustible materials such as timber or polymer based composite decking, which acted as fuel in external fi re scenarios. Once ignited, these materials are diffi cult for fi re services to contain the


blaze. Even when the fi re itself is managed, smoke inhalation, responsible for the majority of fi re related deaths, remains a serious threat to occupants.


T is reinforces the need for materials and balcony confi gurations that resist combustion and actively reduce smoke production.


REASONS FOR ALUMINIUM Material choice is central to mitigating these risks. Aluminium, increasingly used across decking, soffi ts, and balustrade systems, off ers a non-combustible alternative that meets A1 or A2-s1, d0 Euroclass ratings depending on fi nish and coating. Crucially, aluminium doesn’t burn, melt, or emit signifi cant levels of smoke, off ering a safer specifi cation for architects working on buildings subject to new fi re regulations. In high rise and high density housing schemes, the adoption of aluminium


systems is helping create a more consistent, fi re safe envelope. It also off ers long term durability and ease of maintenance, an important factor in lifecycle cost assessments and environmental performance considerations.


DESIGNING FOR SAFETY While combustibility remains a key consideration for balcony components, overall system design can also support better safety outcomes. For example, the way decking and drainage are specifi ed has implications for long term durability and maintenance, two factors that contribute indirectly to resident safety and compliance.


Housing Management & Maintenance October/November 2025


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