AliDeck launch important Balcony Fires Report 2017 – 2020 to reveal prevalence and causes of balcony fires in the UK

In a major intervention into the national fire safety debate, AliDeck are proud to publish our work on the Balcony Fires Report 2017 – 2020.

This important report reveals the prevalence and causes of fires on balconies across the prior three years. Balcony fires are in the news headlines all too often; in Manchester in May, in Kennington in June, and in Cambridge only last month. These fires are just a small sample of the devastating balcony blazes that occur all around the UK with worrying frequency.

AliDeck have recently conducted research into the prevalence and causes of fires on balconies, receiving shocking data from fire and rescue services around the UK. Over the previous three years there have been nearly 900 balcony fires recorded, the majority of which were a result of reckless or careless behaviour.

Smoking materials account for the majority of fires on balconies, with hundreds of balcony fires occurring around the country in the last three years due to smoking. By raising awareness of these startling facts, AliDeck hope to encourage more people to quit smoking, bringing benefits to their health and also helping them to be able to enjoy their balcony in a more fire safe way.

Besides quitting smoking, the surest way to reduce the risk of balcony fires is to remove and replace the combustible materials that are so easily set alight, such as timber or composite balcony decking. Non-combustible alternatives such as aluminium are A Rated for fire and fully compliant with all legislation and building regulations, solving the issue at a stroke.

Richard Izzard, AliDeck managing director, said “Fires on balconies are regularly in the news and it is heart-breaking to see so many people lose their homes, possessions, and sadly sometimes their lives in these avoidable blazes. Our research clearly shows that smoking is the direct cause of many of these so it is essential that smokers are made aware of the risks they take in smoking on their combustible balconies.”

“By giving up smoking, fire safety will immediately increase for people living in flats with balconies which is a great incentive alongside the obvious health benefits they’ll enjoy.”

Please ensure to read the AliDeck Balcony Fires Report 2017 – 2020 to understand the scale of this troubling issue.