Recent fire on balcony in Dublin underlines danger posed by combustible balconies

Combustible materials within the external envelope have been a hot topic for some time now, with thousands of older and more traditional buildings in need of remediation to bring them in line with the current regulations. With the serious threat of fire posed to thousands of lives each day, it is vital that we remediate balconies soon with the futureproof and cost-effective solutions available.

This case is strengthened by a recent balcony fire in Dublin, Ireland. The images subsequently released by the DFB (Dublin Fire Brigade) revealed the scorched remains of the existing timber decking, which caught fire on the 4th floor of a building in the heart of the city. It was fortunate that the DFB was able to contain the fire before it spread indoors or vertically where it could have begun to trap residents from escaping.

AliDeck’s recently released annual Balcony Fires Report revealed a shocking 46% rise in the total number of Balcony Fires within the UK. Over three-quarters of the 310 recorded fires between August 1st 2021 and July 31st 2022 were completely preventable, with 76% being caused by human error.

There is no doubt that the most effective way to create a fire-safe future is to remove combustible materials from existing balconies such as timber or composite decking. Two balcony fires were caused by direct sunlight during the recorded period, highlighting that human error is not the only risk to flammable materials. Other decking materials are also prone to accelerated wear and tear from the elements, while aluminium resists these effects.

Compliant and cost-effective solutions have been on the market since 2015 when AliDeck released the first aluminium decking board in the UK. Since 2017, demand has grown following the Grenfell tragedy, with the stringent reviews by government and fire authorities leaving architects and specifiers seeking futureproof specifications.

Aluminium is non-combustible and therefore naturally A-Rated, with AliDeck products Fire Rated to A2-s1, d0 with the powder-coat finish. Combined with a 60-year life expectancy it will protect your balconies, terraces or walkways without very little requirement for maintenance outside of regular cleaning.

If you would like to discuss further with us how you can achieve the successful remediation of your balconies, then please contact us on 01622 235 672 or send us a quick email at info@alideck.co.uk.