EXTERNAL ENVELOPE 53 Accidents will happen
James Fildes of Berry Systems discusses how protecting car park cladding against inevitable accidental collisions is becoming more important with the rise of EVs
W
hen it comes to driving, most accidents happen in car parks – they account for 20 percent of
all insurance claims the AA receive. The RAC reports that around two-thirds of UK drivers have experienced some kind of damage to their vehicle in a car park. While the vast majority of these accidents are relatively small ‘prangs,’ the question that needs to be asked is ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ Cladding is a non- structural component of a car park, and therefore must be protected from the potential impact of an accident; failure to do so could lead to severe consequences. Car parks really benefit from creative use of cladding, and we’ve seen impressive examples of how architects have utilised it over recent years. However, it’s vital that cladding’s interior protection is also given careful consideration. With car parks by their nature high-traffic zones, the importance of combining the design of the cladding with vehicle safety barriers should not be underestimated. Vehicle barriers in car parks need to fulfil the requirements of Building Regulations Part K and BS EN 1991-1. This is based on a vehicle impact assuming a 1.5 tonne vehicle travelling at 10 mph and a 90-degree impact. The vehicle restraint method must be designed to not fail, while containing the vehicle within the car park. These parameters are likely to be reviewed in the near future due to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, which are usually much heavier than their conventional counterparts due to the weight of the battery packs.
If an accident was to spill out beyond the car park’s footprint, the potential for serious implication to people, property and premises is much higher. The worst-case scenario would be a pedestrian being struck by falling debris.
In order to achieve the highest standards of safety therefore, the guidance and recommendations from The Institution of Structural Engineers states: “The barrier must not deflect by more than the clear distance between the original position and
ADF MARCH 2022
any cladding made from a brittle material,” adding, “Deformation of the barrier beyond repair is acceptable providing it does not lead to progressive collapse. It must be replaced if damaged.” It also says: “Bolts into the slab or columns for barriers and cladding fixings etc are similarly at risk. The choice of details for barrier and cladding fixings should take into account the ease with which such elements can be removed for inspection and replacement if there is a risk of deterioration.”
Using a single anchor fixing on spring steel posts designed to be easily accessible, in front of the barrier, allows inspections to be carried out without removing the system. Also, column-mounted barriers remove the need to drill into concrete slabs.
Legal obligations
Ongoing maintenance is vital for safety of car park users, and failure to do so can lead to very serious issues. There is a legal obligation on car park owners/operators to maintain safe conditions. This requirement also extends to the immediate perimeter of the building to protect people from falling concrete, or from vehicles which may accidentally cause the failure of the edge protection barriers or dislodge the cladding. In order to ensure that a car park project is not under threat from failing to meet these safety requirements, architects are advised to work closely from the very start of a project with a single provider that has expertise in all aspects of design and safety. Utilising a contractor that can provide a full surveying service along with comprehensive testing facilities – as well as offering input and products that adhere to all the above criteria in a single package solution – can ensure that any project will meet the most stringent standards of compliance. And working with a company that is an expert in the field means the ability to benefit from a total turnkey solution for car parks.
James Fildes is bid and proposals manager at Berry Systems
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These parameters are likely to be reviewed due to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, which are usually much heavier
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