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Key

 
Warranty Position Regulatory Position and Guidance Exemptions Does B4 still apply?
Green indicates we consider our position best practice and not in dispute Grey items cover the December 2018 Amendments, Approved Documents and MHCLG's own FAQs and advice notes Green indicates that the item IS exempt from Regulation 7(2), in accordance with Regulation 7(3) Green indicates that B4 still applies, and refers to relevant parts
Yellow indicates our position has the potential to be subjective   Red indicates that the item is NOT exempt. Refer to Regulation 7(3) Red shows that B4 no longer applies

 

Warranty Position

Definition: Balconies recessed from the face of the external wall (potentially with a suspended recessed balcony above) that form a roof to a room directly beneath them (and that do not form a means of escape).

Requirement: An appropriate way to approach these balconies would be for all materials to achieve combustibility class A2-s1, or better, unless they are exempt within 7(3) (including laminated glass balustrading). Refer to 'Materials and components' section on membranes

Alternative position: Some organisations are considering this type of balcony to not be an 'attached' balcony, and are treating it as a terraced balcony. In which case all the external wall materials will need to be combustibility class A2-s1, d0 or better, but the roofing materials would need to meet the B4-(2) requirements for roofs and the balustrading would need to meet the B4-(1) requirements for walls.

Note: MHCLG's 2020 update "Review of Ban on use of combustible materials…." is currently consulting on whether laminated glass in balcony balustrades should continue to be combustibility class A2-s1, d0 or better.

Is the position indisputable? This may not be the view of all organisations.

December 2018 Amendment

Section 2 Reference: 2(6)(b).

Reference titles: Specified attachment

Approved Document

Reference title(s): 10.11

Reference: External walls and specified attachments.

MHCLG FAQS / Advice Notes

Reference: None

Reference title(s): None

Exemptions

Is the item exempt from Regulation 7(2), in accordance with Regulation 7(3)?: No

Reference: None

Statement: None

If exempt, are there any restrictions on the use of the system, component or material given in the guidance in ADB vol 2? None

Does B4 still apply?

Yes: Reference: B4-(1) and B4-(2)

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Disclaimer: The information in this document is believed to be correct in light of information currently available and at the time of publication but is not guaranteed. Neither LABC Warranty nor its agents can accept responsibility in respect of the contents or any events arising from the use of the information contained within this site. The guidance provided does not replace the reader’s professional judgement and any construction project should comply with the relevant Building Regulations or applicable technical standards. For the most up to date LABC Warranty technical guidance please refer to your Risk Management Surveyor and the latest version of the LABC Warranty Technical Manual.