What Surface Materials are Best for Fire-Rating Compliance?

28 May What Surface Materials are Best for Fire-Rating Compliance?

Balconies, terraces, walkways and roof/winter gardens serve a multitude of purposes. An effective external area will perhaps allow for a unique seating and dining area and an opportunity to admire the views.

On a practical basis, buildings will benefit from the added space that a decking solution provides.

Overarching these aims is the need to provide a safe solution and a pleasant aesthetic for the end-user. This blog aims to explore some of the best options for surface materials for outdoor decking applications when considering your next high-rise project.

Building Regulations For Fire Safety

As of 2018, Building Regulations prohibit the use of combustible materials on exterior walls and specified attachments (for example, balconies, terraces, walkways and roof/winter gardens) on high-rise buildings above 18 metres. It is possible that this may be lowered to 11 metres in the future.

Non-combustible materials are classified as Class A Fire-rated – as outlined by the Euroclass system. To find out more on this subject, read our previous blog.

Class A Fire- Rated Surface Materials For External Flooring

There are a number of options to choose from when considering the best fire-rated solutions for your high-rise project. Each material is different and will serve a multitude of benefits and purposes. At Alfresco Floors, we advocate the use of porcelain, natural stone, concrete and aluminium.

Porcelain Tiles For External Applications

Porcelain is a popular choice due to its versatility and durability.  Its impermeable scratch resistant surface means that it will never fade, stain or corrode. Additionally, it will never suffer from mould or moss.

You can also achieve a variety of visual affects with porcelain tiles – from wood to concrete.

In one of our most unusual and interesting projects to date, we supplied and installed 20mm Astor porcelain pavers to apartment balconies built within a refurbished triplet of Grade II listed, cast iron gas-holder guide frames in the heart of King’s Cross, London. Find out more here.

Natural Stone Paving For External Flooring

One of the main benefits of stone paving is that it is naturally A-rated. It is a great solution for those aiming to achieve a modern, yet rustic feel, with a subtle nod to our natural environment.

The texture and appearance make the natural stone paving truly stand out – whether you opt for Yorkstone or granite. To view natural stone in action, head over to our Goldman Sachs case study, where we installed a pedestal and paver system on the Executive terraces of the company’s main Head Quarters in London.

Concrete Paving For External Flooring

Concrete is a great solution for those wanting to cover a large surface area. It is often the material of choice for those seeking a more practical solution, such as the good people at Chelsea Football club who specified us to apply concrete paving to their Stamford Bridge football stadium.

The Carreau and Rockstone ranges allow for an element of personalisation – alongside the bespoke colour options that we provide.

Conclusion

Achieving A-rated compliance with your high-rise project needn’t mean you compromise on style. As you can see, there numerous opportunities to achieve an aesthetic that meets yours and your client’s unique requirements.

If you would like to discuss your exterior decking solutions further, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our experts today. Simply fill out the form below or call us on 020 8977 0904.