Balustrade safety: current legislation and approaches to maintenance

Background

In the past 18 months, there have tragically been two fatal incidents in social housing, that based on news reporting, appear to be related to issues with balcony balustrades.

Balustrades are protective barriers which are common along the edge of stairs, balconies, terraces, or raised walkways. They are essential safety features that are usually inspected across the housing association sector through estate inspections and stock condition surveys.

Investigations related to the tragic incidents are ongoing and we await further detail on the exact cause. We do however recognise that housing associations are seeking increased assurance that they have the right measures in place to install, maintain and, where necessary, upgrade balustrades. This note summarises current legislation on balustrades and outlines recommendations to housing associations regarding maintenance. It includes three case studies – one from a housing association that demonstrates a risk-based approach to balustrade checks, one from a landlord that has incorporated more detailed questions about balconies into its surveys, and one from a council that shows residents comms regarding balcony safety.