In the UK, building regulations state that any high-rise building above 18 metres (which is potentially being changed to 11 metres), should not have combustible materials within the construction of external walls and specified attachments. This means that on such buildings, only materials with an A1 or A2 fire...
You will have no doubt heard about construction products being described as ‘A1/non-combustible’, ‘A2/limited combustibility’ and so on. But how is this assessed? This blog sets out to give you a high-level overview of how materials in the UK (and other European Countries) are tested for fire ratings, allowing the...
As we are all aware, Building Regulations have prohibited the use of combustible materials in external walls on “relevant buildings” and “specified attachments” above 18 metres (and potentially soon to be 11 metres); these regulations have been in place since December 2018. Despite this, however,...
The A1 Fire-Rated Pedestal For External Balconies, Terraces, Walkways, Roof & Winter Gardens If you’re an architect or specifier, you’ll have no doubt that the construction industry has come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Incidents like the blaze at Bolton University and, of course,...
With increasing popularity of pedestal systems for raised external flooring, the development of external grade porcelain has accelerated and is easily able to compete with natural stone and timber. Specifiers, architects and designers can now reap the benefits of both systems. Just how ideal...
In the past, selecting the boards for decking or cladding projects came down to three options: tropical hardwoods, tanalised softwoods and wood/plastic composites. Advances in decking technology now mean that landscape architects have a wider choice of new materials. There are currently four major categories of...
Are all 20mm porcelain tiles the same? Well, quite simply, no! The price point varies, the types of porcelain and the quality of the tiles. The production of 20mm porcelain tiles has become the fastest growing sector in ceramic factories around the world...