Thousands of pounds worth of brand-new composite balcony decking ripped out and thrown in skip to achieve fire regulations compliance

A sad sight greeted us on a recent site visit; thousands of pounds of brand new composite decking in skips, ripped out due to its non-compliance with fire safety building regulations.

Composite decking is, at best, B rated for combustibility and is therefore not compliant with applicable legislation for use on high and low-rise balconies. Regulations require that all materials used in the external envelope, including balconies, are A Rated and non-combustible.

Our AliDeck aluminium decking and joists were specified to replace this composite decking and timber beams on all balconies across the development. Doing so brings the buildings into compliance and allows for successful EWS1 fire-safety inspection certification, which then enables the individual homeowners to mortgage or sell their properties.

When combustible materials are present in balconies, an EWS1 certificate will be marked A3, indicating further remediation works required to achieve fire safety, leading to mortgage lenders declining to loan money on any property within the affected block.

This is fast becoming a major issue in the industry, with potentially millions of people trapped in unmortgageable homes. By removing combustible materials and replacing with a non-combustible aluminium alternative, the owners of this particular development have immediately solved the issue for their leaseholders.

If you are the freeholder or developer of a high or low-rise tower block and you have timber or composite decking on your balconies, call the AliDeck team on 01622 235 672 or email info@alideck.co.uk to find out how aluminium decking can help your building become compliant.