Balcony fires caused by BBQs
Balconies provide an invaluable outdoor space and an ideal place for socialising for many flat owners and occupiers. However, they also bring risks associated with discarded smoking materials and the use of barbecues and heaters. Such risks mean that property owners and registered housing providers should consider reminding tenants of the wide variety of perils they could be exposing themselves to.
- Zurich’s data in 2019 showed that £210m was paid out for fire damage. Almost £9m worth of damage was caused by just four balcony blazes
- Vast majority of balcony fires started by BBQ use and discarded smoking materials
- In London alone, official figures show there have been 550 balcony fires in just three years
- Modern methods of construction, including timber framed buildings, combustible cladding, wooden balconies and modular units add to the risk of balcony fires
Key Risks
Recent fires in private rental and social housing properties have demonstrated the potential hazards of the likes of carelessly discarded smoking materials setting fire to items on the ground, or to balconies below. Falling embers from barbeques represent a similar hazard.
Our claims experience shows that barbecues should never be used on balconies under any circumstances. This includes all types, all fuels, and all sizes of barbecue – including those that are inappropriately being marketed for such use.
The risks are compounded by the fact that barbeques are often left unattended, and that wind speeds are stronger at a greater height. Wind patterns can also be less predictable due to the proximity of neighbouring buildings whilst the confined layout of balconies can affect ease of escape for building occupants.
Any risk is greatly heightened where balconies and facades are constructed with combustible materials and insulation. The Government issued a guidance note for owners of residential buildings which, in short, advises that ‘the removal and replacement of any combustible material used in balcony construction is the clearest way to prevent external fire spread from balconies’.
The guidance note states that ‘where there is doubt over the materials used, or risk presented, building owners should seek professional advice from an appropriately qualified and competent professional (i.e. a fire engineer or construction professional with significant knowledge and experience of fire safety)’.
The Zurich Property Major Loss Team has found that in each case it has seen, the presence of timber was either the reason for ignition or facilitated fire spread. These include balconies made of non-combustible materials, like metal, but otherwise decked with wood. In addition, properties built of brick and block, but where the outer face of walls have been clad with timber for aesthetic/design purposes. In the absence of these features most of these fires would have been far less significant, or simply would not have occurred in the first place.
The regulatory system covering high-rise and complex buildings is not fit for purpose and requires an urgent overhaul to improve the overall resilience of the built environment.
Central to this is the need for the ban on combustible materials to be extended to the entire external envelope of both residential and non-residential buildings of any height. Zurich continues to actively lead the debate with parliamentary stakeholders on this issue and the need for reform.
As the ban currently stands, a fire at lower levels could very easily negatively affect the level of safety provided to the overall building and significantly increase the potential for extensive and uncontrolled fire spread.
A “safer and more straightforward rule” should apply to the entire wall height of both residential and non-residential buildings. This would assist in ensuring consistency of building fire performance and offer robust future-proofing. It would also assist in reducing ambiguity and complexity surrounding differing performance requirements for only slightly differing occupancies whilst also minimising the potential for external fire spread beyond the reach of the fire service which must be the absolute priority of the ban.
However, the most devastating impact of fires is felt by the homeowners, renters and tenants who end up losing their homes and valuable possessions which often can’t be replaced.
David Nichols, Chief Claims Officer at Zurich, said:
“Fires not only put people’s lives at risk, they also destroy homes and irreplaceable personal possessions. The £210m which Zurich paid out for fire damage to properties in 2019 doesn’t include the emotional turmoil and disruption these events cause. This is why we urge people to think twice and avoid using BBQs or smoking on their balconies. Just a small ignition source, or persistent heat over a period of time can start a fire. This can happen hours after the residents have gone to bed. What’s more worrying is the number of companies marketing barbecues which claim to be specifically designed for balconies. In our view these products should be banned as there is no such thing as a safe balcony barbecue."
