A major review of building and construction standards was instigated following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Such reviews saw the ban of combustible materials used within external walls on buildings higher than 18m, consequently effecting many mid and high-rise multi-occupancy buildings across the UK deemed unsafe following EWS1 or FRAEW surveys. We spoke with Richard Izzard, managing director of AliDeck to see how their Modular Balcony Kit is revolutionising the market.
This ban not only caused delays in new construction due to design requirements and the need to find new, compliant solutions, but opened the floodgates for many older buildings that needed fire safety remediation in order to achieve EWS1 and FRAEW certification.
It was AliDeck that launched the first aluminium decking boards in the UK in 2015, and their popularity in the home improvement market was immediate. In the post-Grenfell landscape, AliDeck’s aluminium decking offered the right solution for the balcony construction industry in terms of compliance, non-combustible and futureproof materials.
Richard Izzard, managing director of AliDeck, said “Aluminium is a non-combustible material and with fire-safety now a key factor in the decision-making of architects and fabricators, it has rapidly become the de facto standard across new build and remediation projects.”
As a trailblazing innovator known for high-quality product design, AliDeck dedicates much of its energy to setting the standard in futureproof aluminium balcony design, which led to the AliDeck Balcony Kit.
A modular, off-the-shelf balcony component kit is created by combining the aluminium decking boards with the aluminium soffit cladding and the aluminium balustrade systems. Aluminium components and steel balcony frames combined in an innovative hybrid arrangement are proving to be a breakthrough in the balcony industry. Simple, quick-fix, and easy-to-install systems are made with kit-form components that manufacturers are familiar with.
In addition to being highly resistant to the elements, powder-coated aluminium components are also impervious to ageing and decay. In comparison with traditional decking such as timber and composite, AliDeck aluminium decking has a life expectancy of 60 years, significantly reducing the need for additional maintenance and remediation costs, only needing simple cleaning.
“One of the most striking aspects of the AliDeck Balcony Kit solution is the phenomenal weight savings available,” continued Richard. “Compared to a fully steel balcony, balconies that consist of steel frame internals and AliDeck decking, soffit cladding and balustrade have proven to offer a greater than 50% weight reduction, a significant saving especially on larger projects!”
This is evidenced by these images taken from a Sheffield new-build development. Balconies with steel cantilever systems have been decked with AliDeck aluminium decking, cladding, and balustrades.
The AliDeck, AliClad and AliRail balcony component systems are compliant to the latest British Standards and Building Regulations, with aluminium continuing to pave the way to success for all stakeholders.
To find out more about the AliDeck Balcony Kit, please call the team on 01622 534 085 or email info(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)alideck.co.uk.