Technical Update! AliRail Juliet and AliRail Vertical Infill Spindle Balustrade Systems subjected to new deflection and load testing, excellent results received for full compliance with regulations

AliDeck has risen to become the market leader for aluminium decking for balconies, terraces and walkways. A crucial part of our success has been in our designing highly compliant products and an eagerness to prove our performance with the widest range of independent testing possible.

Our expertise for manufacturing, aluminium extrusions, and balconies led us to expand our product range to include further essential component systems for balconies; soffit cladding, metal balustrades, and juliets. Manufactured in 100% aluminium, this range of products has been incredibly well received by the market, with fabricators, developers, and architects alike recognising the benefits of switching to aluminium for all balcony components.

Designed entirely in-house, these additional systems were created by our R&D and mechanical engineering teams to the same rigorous standards that we applied to our AliDeck range of aluminium decking and accessories.

Compliance with applicable regulations is essential for building materials and it was this factor that shaped our decision-making process and crafted new products designed for excellent utility and flawless safety.

We were delighted to submit our AliRail Juliet and AliRail Vertical Infill Spindles Balustrade to retesting for load performance this week. Originally tested last summer, continual innovation and refinement of the systems’ design required a second look to reconfirm that both continued to meet and exceed Building Regulations.

For domestic and residential settings, The British Standard BS 6180: 2011 “Barriers in and about buildings” outlines a requirement of 0.74kN/m horizontal load to the handrail, 1.0kN distributed load to the infill, and 0.5kN point load to a part (ie; a spindle) of the infill.

Both AliRail Juliet and AliRail Vertical infill Balustrade flew through the testing, easily meeting these values. This is great news and confirms that the specification of AliRail for residential developments is a guaranteed route to compliance.

Where we felt so confident on the performance of these systems, though, we decided to test at a higher load value of 1.5kN on the rail, infill and spindle. Achieving this higher rating would demonstrate compliance with the requirements for areas where people might congregate, such as restaurants and bars, and other similar commercial environments.

We are pleased to report that both AliRail Juliet and AliRail Vertical Infill Spindle Balustrade easily achieved a pass in all tests under 1.5kN loading!

Full test result data is available in the following gallery, click to enlarge images.

This is great news not only for AliDeck but also for our customers and the wider industry as it is proof that a viable alternative to steel architectural metalwork for balconies is available. The benefits of using aluminium for the external balcony components are myriad, not least of all in terms of cost and weight.

To learn more about how AliRail Juliet and Balustrade Systems can help your project achieve greater success, call the AliDeck team on 01622 235 672 or email info@alideck.co.uk.