Wandle Housing Association make proactive switch to aluminium decking across London block

The switch to non-combustible construction materials continues to impact housing, with ever-changing regulations leaving property managers looking for compliant and cost-effective options for fire-safety remediation projects across the UK. We spoke with Richard Izzard, managing director of AliDeck to see how they’re leading the way in providing fire-safe aluminium decking and balcony components.

Increasingly stringent standards are being observed for high-rise and multi-occupancy buildings following the Grenfell disaster. Fire-safety is one of the most pressing challenges in the housing sector, but the problem has been broadly recognised as essential and much progress has been made, in both new-build and refurbishment projects.

Wandle Housing Association recently had cause to repair waterproofing to the walkways on one of their apartment blocks in Croydon. Rather than replace like-for-like and put new timber decking down after the waterproofing works were complete, Wandle made the forward-thinking decision to go fire safe and chose aluminium decking, not just on the walkway but across the whole building, including to the terrace and balconies!

Richard Izzard, managing director of AliDeck, said “Our approved installer, Alu-Installations, replaced the rotting and tired timber decking at Boniface House in Croydon using AliDeck aluminium decking. The main contractor, Breyer Group, opted to use this due to its robust nature and additional safety benefits from its increased slip resistance. The remediation project was scheduled to last around 4 weeks and work was concluded on budget and on time.”

Fire safe materials are essential to resolve concerns

The use of aluminium in building construction is becoming increasingly popular among specifiers. The lightweight, cost-effective, versatile nature of the system and its excellent sustainability credentials have seen it rise to the fore in recent years.

“The building is home to 24 balconies in total and a terrace walkway that spans the length of the building at roughly 1m in projection,” continued Richard. “Our decking system fully replaced the balcony and terrace decking, with the leaseholders immediately benefitting from the practical, aesthetic and safety improvements.”

AliDeck aluminium decking has a fire rating of A2-s1, d0 and A2fl-s1 meaning the decking boards are non-combustible, do not contribute to fire, and meet all applicable regulations and laws. Also fully compliant with the requirements of BS8579:2020, the guide to the design of balconies and terraces, such as on deflection performance, slip resistance, and so on.

In response to the ongoing minefield that is EWS1 & PAS 9980, AliDeck aluminium decking boards offer fantastic compliance measures that will simplify the decision making for all concerned, while also offering much needed comfort to the leaseholders and to Wandle Housing Association.

Aluminium decking proves a cost-effective and futureproof replacement for timber

The existing timber decking at Boniface House had become very worn and was losing its colour and aesthetic value. Constructed of many decaying timber panels, the wood had not taken kindly to the wear and tear of time and exposure to the elements.

Finished in sleek RAL 7039 Quartz Grey powder-coat with colour-matched angle trim to conceal the board edges, the balconies have created a revitalised amenity to the building. Aluminium decking also carries a far lower requirement for maintenance, outside of regular cleaning where necessary, so these balconies will look great for many years to come!

With an AliDeck approved installer on the project, success was all but guaranteed. Alu-Installations operate nationwide across their various teams and were founded in 2019 by owner George Baldwin.

“George and his team are a great asset for us,” remarked Richard. “They have worked on some prestigious and high-profile balcony remediation projects across the UK using AliDeck materials, several of which have been featured in earlier issues of Housing Association Magazine. We’re always pleased with the outcomes they achieve with our products.”

Call AliDeck on 01622 534 032 or email info@alideck.co.uk to find out more.

www.alideck.co.uk