Troubling issue of high-rise balcony fires across the UK revealed in shocking fire service data, non-combustible decking is guaranteed solution

AliDeck have recently conducted in-depth research on the issue of balcony fires, collating data from Fire Services around the UK. With fires on balconies regularly in the news, it is clear that this is a major issue causing many blazes which threaten lives and destroy property. Upon receipt of responses to our Freedom of Information Act requests, however, some definitive facts have been revealed.

We posed simple questions to the Fire Services; How many balcony fires occurred in the prior three years, and what is the breakdown of causes of these fires? The answers are eye-opening, to say the least!

In total, between 2017 and 2020 year-to-date, 873 fires on balconies were recorded by the responding Fire Services. Of this total, 587 balcony fires occurred in London. Given the vast number of high-rise properties in the capital, this should come as no surprise but it is still genuinely shocking to see such a large number of balcony fires concentrated in just one region, representing a huge toll of loss and misery. Outside London, the areas with the next highest incidence of balcony fires were Greater Manchester (51), Hampshire (37), Scotland (33), and Kent (20).

Smoking is by far and away the leading cause of fires on balconies, responsible for a frankly staggering 420 of the total 873 fires. Other causes included reckless use of barbecues, accidental fires caused by candles, accumulated rubbish being ignited, arson, electrical faults, and so on. Discounting the relatively small number of electrical fires, nearly all recorded balcony fires were caused by human error and so were entirely avoidable.

Richard Izzard, AliDeck managing director, said “This set of data paints a grim picture. Out of hundreds of balcony fires, only a small proportion could be said to have been unavoidable. It’s clearly quite fair to say that reckless or careless behaviour causes the overwhelming majority of fires on balconies.”

If smokers take suitable precautions and ensure that, preferably, they do not smoke on their balconies or, if they do, that they fully extinguish and safely dispose of any smoking materials then the risk smoking-related balcony fires will fall. London Fire Brigade provides a list of actions that smokers can take to increase their fire-safety, and it is most helpful;

• It’s safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
• Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
• Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
• Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
• Don’t balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
• Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
• Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.
• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
• Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives instead.
• Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.

Changing the behaviour of people is obviously a difficult task but it clearly follows that if more people were to quit smoking, say, then the risk of smoking-related fires would fall so smoking cessation should be encouraged. A greater investment in fire safety education should be a priority for all property managers, with clear and plain guidance on the safe use of balconies.

The surest way to make balconies fire safe, however, is to replace all combustible materials, such as timber or composite decking, with non-combustible and fire-safe alternatives, such as aluminium decking.

“AliDeck manufacture a range of 100% aluminium, A Rated balcony decking products that are able to serve as direct replacements for combustible timber or composite balcony decking,” Richard continued. “By removing and replacing the combustible components and installing non-combustible alternatives, balconies instantly become much more fire safe.”

AliDeck will continue to share throughout this week and the whole of #Stoptober analysis of the balcony fire data we have received. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

To discuss your timber or composite decking replacement options, call the AliDeck team on 01622 534 050 or email info@alideck.co.uk.