Overview

BA Systems' B40 A2-rated glass system has been approved for use on the Harrow View East Kodak site project in Harrow, North London.

A new neighbourhood is being developed on the former Kodak site which, for 150 years, was home to the iconic former Kodak factory. Now, as the land is redeveloped, it will become a new home to many through the regeneration programme led by Harrow Council to provide over 2,000 new homes.

Work undertaken

Working for Barratt Homes, BA Systems was able to offer the full design, supply and installation of its B40 frameless glass balustrade to balconies and walkways.

The company began discussions with Barratt's pre-con team in 2018 when the project was in its early stages. BA Systems assisted the team with further design and cost support and was finally appointed during the first quarter of 2022.

Since the amendments were made to Approved Document B in December 2018, there has been a large focus in the industry to find alternative balustrade systems for residential buildings over 18m high that will successfully meet the requirements of building standards and governing bodies like the National House Building Council (NHBC). To be compliant, materials have to achieve a fire classification of A2-s1 or A1 classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009. To obtain approval, BA Systems carried out both its own in-house tests and further testing with Lucidion (an independent materials development, testing and assurance company).

NHBC approval has been granted and BA Systems is able to offer a fully compliant A2-rated glass balustrade system for this large residential development.

B40 structural glass balustrade specifications

  • Channel: ICE 2 continuous base channel

  • Handrail: low-profile PPC capping rail

  • Glass infill: 23mm-thick clear toughened and laminated glass with an A2 fire rating to the interlayer, complete with full certification

  • Loading: designed to meet standard balcony loading of 0.74kN/m

  • Balustrade height: 1230mm (including 130mm of build-up from SSL to FFL); height from FFL is 1100mm