207 - Fire Safety of Balconies with Mike Spearpoint and Konstantinos Chotzoglou

Fire Science Show

As a consequence of the Grenfell Tower disaster, some strong legislation was proposed, such as a combustible ban on building walls. This, however, affected more than just the building facades, as it excluded materials such as laminated glass used as balcony balustrades.

Today, the path forward demands evidence that could inform decisions on the future of laminated glass in this use. In this conversation with Mike Spearpoint and Konstantinos Chotzoglou from OFR Consultants, we dive deep into their groundbreaking experimental research on balcony fire safety that emerged in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Through experiments involving three-story balcony setups and multiple configurations, the team quantified how different materials and designs affect external fire spread between floors.
What makes this research particularly valuable is how it transforms gut feelings into measurable facts. The researchers tested various combinations of balustrade materials, decking options, and balcony contents to create a comprehensive picture of fire behaviour. Their findings confirmed some expectations while providing surprising insights into flame dynamics around balconies. Most importantly, they established a clear ranking of safety performance: from non-combustible systems and laminated glass (which performed remarkably well) to the dangerous combination of HPL panels with timber decking (which produced fires so intense they had to terminate testing).
The implications extend beyond regulatory compliance. This research empowers architects, engineers, and manufacturers to make evidence-based decisions about balcony design while maintaining the essential outdoor spaces people value in high-rise living. It demonstrates that with appropriate material selections and protective measures like non-combustible soffits, balconies can remain both safe and functional.
You can read the balcony survey paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-023-01467-8

A paper summarising three balcony fire incidents:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-021-01154-6

As more research is published, I will try to keep this up to date.

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The Fire Science Show is produced by the Fire Science Media in collaboration with OFR Consultants. Thank you to the podcast sponsor for their continuous support towards our mission.

Chapters

1. Introduction to Balcony Fire Safety (00:00:00)

2. Origins of the Balcony Research Project (00:04:19)

3. Balconies as Fire Spread Pathways (00:08:52)

4. Experimental Setup and Design Challenges (00:21:39)

5. Test Variables and Baseline Experiment (00:28:49)

6. Key Findings and Material Performance (00:35:10)

7. Balcony Contents and Management Issues (00:46:13)

8. From Evidence to Regulation (00:54:10)

9. Closing Reflections and Future Research (00:59:39)