EXTERIORS


Sapphire Balconies Delivers Fire-Safe, Elegant Solutions for Phase 3


S


apphire Balconies played a key role in transforming the Green Man Lane Estate in West Ealing. The estate has


been undergoing major redevelopment since 2011 as part of Ealing’s initiative to improve the borough’s housing stock. Phase 3 of the Green Man Lane project continued the estate’s development but introduced new challenges that required innovative solutions to meet evolving safety regulations. This phase required signifi cant adjustments


due to the updated ‘Part B’ fi re regulations implemented after the Grenfell tragedy. These regulations placed stricter requirements on materials used in balcony construction, particularly excluding laminate glass from the exemption list for facades. This posed a signifi cant challenge in maintaining the aesthetic continuity with previous phases, where glass balustrades were prominently featured. Having contributed to the earlier phases,


Sapphire Balconies was once again engaged to develop a compliant solution that adhered to the new fi re safety standards while preserving the development’s design integrity. The primary challenge was achieving the A2-s1, d0 fi re rating mandated by the updated regulations without compromising the project’s visual and functional continuity. Leveraging their expertise and innovative


design approach, Sapphire adapted the balcony specifi cation from the initially planned glass balustrades to a railing system meeting stringent fi re rating requirements. This critical adjustment ensured full compliance with the new safety standards. Despite the material shift, Sapphire maintained their signature Cassette balcony design, incorporating the same drainage trays and decking used in previous phases. This consistency preserved the visual harmony across the entire development. Sapphire Balconies’ solution not only met


the technical requirements but also seamlessly aligned with the architectural vision. Their close collaboration with the project’s architects and contractors exemplifi ed their commitment to innovation, safety, and design excellence. The successful integration of the A2-s1, d0 fi re-rated railing system in Phase 3 stands as a testament to Sapphire’s ability to overcome regulatory challenges while enhancing safety and design continuity.


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0344 88 00 553 shorturl.at/KZwDA


Senior celebrates a decade of PURe®


innovation! S enior the UK’s largest


Architectural Systems, one of privately owned


manufacturers of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling, is marking another major milestone – 10 years of its patented, award-winning PURe®


system!


Back in February 2015, Senior set new standards for low U-value aluminium windows and doors by creating a system that was the fi rst to the UK market to feature an enhanced thermal barrier made from expanded polyurethane foam (PUR). The innovative use of this material, which is traditionally used in cladding and insulation, gives PURe®


as low as 0.71 W/m2K for windows and 0.93


W/m2K


Senior went on to be awarded a UK patent (GB252363.8) for its PURe®


the potential to achieve U-values for doors,


signifi cantly


improving energy effi ciency and reducing heat loss.


system


and soon extended the range to cater to both commercial and residential markets.


Over the past decade, the PURe®


evolved to offer a variety of confi gurations, including casement,


tilt and turn,


range has and


parallel push windows, as well as folding sliding, inline sliding, lift and slide, single, and double doors. Senior added further strength to the range in 2019 with the launch of the PURe®


Commercial Door – the


manufacturer’s largest, strongest and most fl exible aluminium door system to date. Most recently, in 2023, Senior collaborated with supply chain partner and composite door supplier Hallmark Doors and Panels Ltd to develop a new residential entrance door that combines the patented PURe® effi ciency with PAS 24 security.


thermal


Senior has also won a number of prestigious awards for the design and development of its PURe®


range over the last decade, including


in 2023, the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. Prior to this, Senior was recognised at the 2020 Made in Yorkshire business awards for its work on the PURe®


system and for its commitment to investing in the manufacturing sector on both a regional and national level.


As the popularity of PURe® has grown over


the last ten years and with demand increasing signifi cantly following the introduction of new lower U-value targets per the recent updates to Part L of the Building Regulations, Senior has also made signifi cant investments in its manufacturing capabilities. In late 2022, Senior opened its new Thermal Improvement Facility


in Rotherham – this has boosted production of its PURe® taken


the company’s overall UK manufacturing capacity to 220,000 ft2


and doors. 01709 772600 seniorarchitectural.co.uk


and signifi cantly windows


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