GUIDANCE | FAADES the spread of fire, as well as in regard to their thermal properties. Chance to change This highlights the fact that the industry has to change. Potentially, buildings or build cost will become more expensive, but we cant carry on doing what weve always done, says Metcalfe. These changes which are very important and the right thing to do will have knock-on effects. The industry has to come to terms with those and work out how it can accommodate the changes, physically and financially. Such challenges present a good opportunity for the industry to innovate, says Pasetto. This may lead to new technologies, and new and safer materials, products and components. The industry has to react to this in a positive, constructive and collaborative manner. Already, he says, steps have been taken to start this process, with organisations within the industry carrying out tests to build a body of evidence to show that certain materials could be safe. One material that has been undergoing such tests is laminated glass, which is now banned on specified attachments to external walls, meaning it can no longer be used for balcony balustrades. Laminated glass is a safety glass and has, for many years, been used for its impact performance, containment and post-failure behaviour. However, it is also combustible when classified in accordance with the European standard. This has introduced significant problems, says Metcalfe. In blocks of flats, the balcony is the only external space you have, so its very important. The industry has responded to this challenge by carrying out testing to try to demonstrate that these materials, in this The industry will have to step up to this challenge, and come up with materials that perform well in limiting the spread of fire, as well as in regard to their thermal properties application, dont contribute to fire spread, and this work is continuing. The SFE and CWCT have supported these tests by providing technical backup and consultation. The bodies have also met and collaborated with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, acting as conduits for the transfer of knowledge in the sector. We take the information, process it and spread the word to the rest of the industry, and that dissemination of knowledge is a key role that CWCT and SFE play, says Metcalfe, adding that the visibility of the faade industry was a major hurdle that had to be overcome. THE GUIDE The guidance on the changes to the Building Regulations in relation to the inclusion of combustible materials in external walls, focuses on the combustibility of materials. It has been formed through consultation and collaboration between industry professionals, including faade engineers, fire engineers, architects, building control professionals, surveyors and manufacturers. In addition to setting out the context of the regulations in an introduction, the guidance explains the definitions and terminology, as well as the materials and exemptions under the legislation. It is available to download, free of charge, from www.cwct.co.uk To find out more, and for more on the SFE, visit www.cibse.org/SFE 28 October 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Oct20 pp26-29 Facade guidance.indd 28 25/09/2020 14:43