AliDeck Balcony Fires Report 2022-2023

AliDeck’s extensive research unveils the frequency and causes of balcony fires in the UK & Ireland, spanning from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023. Our mission is to educate the public about a pressing issue within the construction industry. The findings are a stark reminder of inherent risks of balcony fires. This research is a vital resource for raising awareness of a safety concern affecting countless lives each day.

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BALCONY FIRES (TOTAL)

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SMOKING RELATED

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SUNLIGHT

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MATCHES / ARSON

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ELECTRICAL FAULTS

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CANDLES

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BARBECUES

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OTHER

Smoking-related incidents continue to be the leading cause of balcony fires, constituting 50% of all recorded incidents. This indicates a minor increase compared to the prior year’s report, where smoking was accountable for 49% of balcony fires.

These statistics are indeed concerning. The actual number of balcony fires attributed to smoking in the 2022-2023 period was 134, a noticeable decrease from the previous year’s total of 180. The necessity for property managers and housing associations to intensify their endeavours in helping residents reduce smoking on their balconies remains evident.

As we mentioned in our previous reports, behavioural change can be challenging as it relies on the commitment of the wider public to challenge this issue head on. For now, the most effective solution remains the remediation of combustible materials used within the external envelope.

Non-combustible alternatives, like aluminium, proudly hold an A-Rating for fire safety, demonstrating full compliance with pertinent legislation and building regulations such as BS8579:2020. This signifies a holistic and effective solution to address this critical concern.

Causes of Balcony Fires in Great Britain: 2022-2023

Areas Recording Highest Balcony Fires Prevalence August 2022 to July 2023

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London

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Manchester

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West Midlands

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Hampshire

Predictably, London leads the pack with the highest number of balcony fires, registering 148 cases during this reporting period. This reflects an increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the persistent challenge of balcony fire safety. 87 of these cases were smoking related (59%), an 8% decrease from the previous year.

However, this is no cause to celebrate as the total number of smoking-related incidents remains far too high, and further emphasises the importance of educating leaseholders not to smoke on their balconies until fire-safe solutions are found. 7 out of the 45 fire services saw a rise in the number of balcony fires in their regions compared to the previous year, despite the total number of incidents falling across the UK & Ireland.

Furthermore, 23 out of 45 fire services unfortunately reported at least one balcony fire related to smoking materials, including the careless disposal of cigarettes.

Highlighting the urgent need to continue raising awareness and safety measures to protect communities from this recurring hazard.

Richard Izzard, Managing Director of AliDeck, has expressed his deep concern;

“While we find these statistics concerning and a cause for ongoing vigilance, they also serve as a reminder of the importance of our continued efforts in addressing the issue. Despite our hopes for a reduction in fires caused by smoking over the past year, the increased focus on fire safety and advancements in mitigating combustible balconies have made a positive impact. However, it is clear that there is more work to be done to safeguard the future from any risk of fire.”

The latest AliDeck Balcony Fires Report serves as a stark warning, underscoring the urgent need for action within all sectors of the housing industry.

Balcony Fires 2022 – 2023 by Fire Service

FIRE SERVICE	SMOKING	OTHER	SUN	MATCHES / ARSON	ELECTRICAL	CANDLES	BBQ	Unknown	FIREWORKS	TOTAL BALCONY FIRES
TOTAL	134	35	8	23	23	9	16	16	266	266
Avon	1	1	–	–	–	–	1	–	–	3
Bedfordshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Berkshire	2	1	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	4
Cambridgeshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Cheshire	2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
Cleveland	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Cornwall	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
County Durham	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Derbyshire	–	–	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	1
Devon & Somerset	2	2	–	–	–	–	2	1	–	7
Dorset & Wiltshire	–	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
East Sussex	1	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	1	3
Essex	3	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	4
Gloucestershire	1	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
Greater Manchester	3	–	–	2	1	1	2	2	1	12
Hampshire	6	3	–	1	3	–	–	–	–	13
Hereford	1	–	–	1	1	–	–	–	–	3
Hertfordshire	3	–	1	–	1	–	1	–	–	6
Humberside	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Kent	2	6	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	8
Lancashire	1	–	–	1	–	–	1	–	–	3
Leicestershire	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
Lincolnshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
London	87	5	7	15	13	3	6	11	1	148
Merseyside	1	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	–	2
Mid & West Wales	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Norfolk	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	–	–	1
Northern Ireland	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
North Wales	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
North Yorkshire	–	2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
Northamptonshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Nottingham	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2
Oxfordshire	–	–	–	–	2	–	–	–	–	2
Shropshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
South Wales	3	–	–	–	–	–	1	–	–	3
South Yorkshire	1	1	–	–	1	1	–	–	–	4
Staffordshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Suffolk	–	–	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	1
Tyne & Wear	1	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	1
Warwickshire	–	–	–	1	–	–	–	–	–	1
West Midlands	4	10	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14
West Sussex	2	–	–	–	–	–	–	1	–	3
West Yorkshire	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Scotland	5	1	–	1	–	1	3	1	–	12

Ban Smoking in multi-storey multi-occupancy buildings including on balconies, terraces, and walkways

Perhaps the most distressing aspect of these statistics is that fires related to smoking on balconies are entirely preventable. By either quitting smoking or removing materials that could fuel a fire, the risk is significantly mitigated.

However, it’s important to note that many balcony fires resulting from smoking are the consequence of carelessly discarded cigarettes, which can pose a threat to balconies below. Recognising that quitting smoking can be a formidable challenge, we offer an alternative solution: the replacement of combustible balcony components with non-combustible alternatives, such as aluminium. This choice effectively eliminates the risk of smoking materials causing dangerous balcony fires.

Furthermore, in addition to prohibiting the act of smoking and the removal of combustible materials, several other practical steps should be taken to enhance balcony fire safety, including:

Safe storage of flammable items and combustible materials
Urge residents to regularly check and maintain functioning smoke detectors
Promote the placement and education on use of fire extinguishers in accessible locations
Quick reporting: Encourage residents to promptly report any potential fire hazards or safety concerns to building management.
Balcony awareness: Educate residents about the risks associated with barbecues, patio heaters, and other fire-prone equipment on balconies, urging them to refrain from their use.
Emergency evacuation awareness: Ensure residents are aware of the building’s emergency evacuation plans, so they can react swiftly in case of a fire emergency.
Safe disposal of flammable materials: Stress the importance of properly disposing of flammable materials and avoiding storing them on balconies.
Fire safety training: Offer residents basic fire safety training, so they know how to respond effectively to fire emergencies.