GB2585348A

GB2585348A - Balcony floors

Info

Publication number: GB2585348A
Application number: GB1906152.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Pressland Adam
Original assignee: Group Y Ltd
Current assignee: Group Y Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-02
Filing date: 2019-05-02
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Also published as: GB201906152D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to balcony floors, and more specifically to a floor member, floor assembly and floor system for a balcony, and to a balcony including a floor system. The floor member 220 is elongate and has an upper face 221 which, when the floor member is mounted in use in a horizontal plane, is angled or sloped relative to the horizontal (angle A) to provide a first drainage surface D1. In one embodiment, an elongate cover member 240 is provided which has an upper face 241. The cover member is separable from the floor member and in use overlies the upper face of the floor member, the cover member being configured such that, when mounted in use, the upper face 241 is angled relative to the horizontal (angle B) to provide a second drainage surface D2. In an alternative embodiment, a support member 250 is provided which, when mounted on or adjacent to the floor member in use, is configured to provide a support surface for a decorative flooring member.

Description

Balcony Floors

Technical Field

The present invention relates to balcony floors, and more specifically to a floor member, floor assembly and floor system for a balcony, and to a balcony including a floor system.

Background

A balcony is traditionally constructed by a connected framework of large mild steel beams. Inside these are smaller mid-section supports, normally called purlins, which take the load of flooring elements such as composite or timber decking boards.

Current designs can leave large unsupported areas under the decking boards. Although such designs may be within industry standards, they suffer from several problems. The current method of bridging the voids between the major steel members limits the use of other flooring applications such as floor tiles, or aggregates.

Due to new legislation in fire protection and prevention, balconies are required to perform under a Class Al conditions, i.e. having no combustible elements. Current composite decking boards are therefore considered a risk under these new guidelines.

When a balcony is over a certain size (approx. 6m2), incident water must be drained to an outlet. This is called "positive draining". Below this size, a balcony does not have to have a drainage system and can be considered to be "free draining". Currently, positive draining and free draining balconies have different floor designs, so standardisation has not been possible.

Current balcony floors are typically completely flat, which encourages the pooling of water. Decking boards are often specified to be fitted at an angle to meet manufacturers requirements, but this is often ignored due to the complexity of installation. Another issue with the angling of the boards is that they can cause a trip hazard.

As the major steel elements of the balcony form the structure, the traditional purlins offer no additional structural support to the balcony, which is inefficient and does not make best use of all the structural members in the design.

If a decking board needs to be replaced, current balcony designs can present a major health and safety risk. Once the decking board is removed, the floor may be completely open, potentially open to many metres below.

Current boarding systems only allow facade connectors to be spaced approximately 1.5m apart as a maximum.

In summary, current designs of balcony structure have the following issues: * Limited options for alternative flooring systems * Fire risk not minimised * No standardisation of water management features * Pooling of water on surface of balcony floor * Possible trip hazards * Structural elements not working efficiently * Maintenance risks * Small spans between facade connectors

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect, the invention provides a floor member for a balcony floor, wherein the floor member is elongate and has an upper face which, when the floor member is mounted in use in a horizontal plane, is angled relative to the horizontal to provide a first drainage surface.

In a preferred configuration, the floor member has support sides depending from the upper face, the support sides having different vertical heights such that, when the lower ends of the support sides are mounted in use in the same horizontal plane, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide the first drainage surface.

In the same or an alternative configuration, the floor member preferably has a planar lower face, the upper and lower faces of the floor member being non-parallel to one another such that, when mounted in use with the lower face in a horizontal plane, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide the first drainage surface.

The floor member may have any suitable cross-section shape consistent with the invention. Preferably, the floor member has a generally quadrilateral cross-section with opposing pairs of longer and shorter sides, one of the longer sides forming the upper face. The floor member cross-section may be a trapezium.

In order to reduce the use of material and save weight, the floor member may be hollow. For additional strength, one or more internal support webs may be provided.

The floor member may be provided with a flange for mounting to the balcony structure.

In accordance with a second aspect, the invention provides a floor assembly for a balcony floor, comprising the floor member of any preceding claim and a support member which, when mounted on or adjacent to the floor member in use, is configured to provide a support surface for a decorative flooring member.

The support member is preferably separable from the floor member. In a preferred embodiment, the support member is provided with one or more support projections which are configured to contact the upper face of the floor member in use. The support member may be configured to mount between adjacent floor members in use, wherein support projections are provided which are configured to contact the upper faces of the adjacent floor members in use.

10 15 20 In accordance with a third aspect, the invention provides a floor assembly for a balcony floor, comprising the floor member described above and an elongate cover member having an upper face, wherein the cover member is separable from the floor member and in use overlies the upper face of the floor member, the cover member being configured such that, when mounted in use, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide a second drainage surface.

In some embodiments, the upper face of the floor member and/or the upper face of the cover member may be convex or concave when viewed in section, along the length of the member. The upper face may alternatively be formed from a plurality of planes, each plane being angled relative to the horizontal to form multi-planar drainage surfaces. The upper face of the floor member and/or the upper face of the cover member may be formed from two planes intersecting at an angle, for example. Preferably however, the upper face of the floor member and/or the upper face of the cover member are planar.

In the preferred embodiment where both the upper face of the floor member and the upper face of the cover member are planar, the upper face of the floor member is preferably angled relative to the horizontal at an angle A, and wherein the upper face of the cover member is preferably angled relative to the horizontal at an angle B. Angle A may be equal to or greater than angle B. Angle A is preferably up to around ten degrees, or preferably up to around five degrees. Angle B is preferably up to around five degrees, or preferably up to around two degrees, or preferably around two degrees.

The cover member is preferably configured to provide an anti-slip second drainage surface. This may be achieved by providing an anti-slip coating on the cover member, or by providing a three-dimensional anti-slip pattern on the cover member.

Preferably, the cover member mounts onto the upper face of the floor member in use. This may be achieved by providing the cover member with support projections which are configured to contact the upper face of the floor member in use. The support projections can be configured to provide the desired angle of the second drainage surface, taking into account the angle of the first drainage surface, i.e. the upper face of the floor member, on which the cover member is mounted.

In a preferred embodiment, the floor member and the cover member are configured to interlock together. The interlocking function may be provided by one or more of the following: hinge and latch, catch, latch, interlocking projections.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the invention provides a floor system for a balcony, comprising a plurality of floor members as described above, or a plurality of floor assemblies as described above.

In accordance with a fifth aspect, the invention provides a balcony comprising the floor system referred to above, wherein each floor member spaced from the adjacent floor member such that a drainage channel is formed between each floor member. A substrate may be provided underneath the floor system, onto which the floor members are mounted.

In a preferred arrangement, the balcony further comprises a decorative layer above the floor system. The decorative layer may be selected from: decking, resin, tiles, aggregate, resin-bound aggregate, concrete.

By covering the balcony floor with our flooring system, we have the option to use many different decorative flooring applications, without the need to change the main structural design. Possible decorative flooring applications are aluminium planks, aggregates and floor tiles. These different flooring systems are only possible with a continuous subfloor structure.

With the floor structure being totally covered with a substrate or base layer e.g. of aluminum, the spread of fire can be prevented. The different options available for the decorative flooring allow the system to further prevent the spread of fire, and importantly allow for the use of non-combustible materials to be used instead of wooden decking boards.

By utilising the shape of each floor member, we have designed a floor structure which can also actively manage the flow of water, without the need to change the design.

Each floor member has been designed so it can be connected with the main structure of the balcony. By having the continuous elongate members span the balcony, these members are used to increase the overall strength of the balcony. Additional core members may be added to increase the strength if necessary.

The floor assemblies of the invention are designed as a two-part system which allows for easy and safe maintenance. If the cover member is removed, the user still has a fully supported, structural floor which is safe to work from.

The floor member and/or cover member are designed with a surface angle which prevents pooling of water on the balcony surface. The design also minimises trip hazards by configuring the floor members and/or cover members so that they meet at the same finish level.

The depth and form of the floor members allows a reach of over 3m.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a sectional perspective view of a balcony floor system in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 shows an end view of a balcony floor system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, having a cover member as the floor surface; Fig. 3 shows an end view of a balcony floor system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, for use with decking as the floor surface; Fig. 4 shows an end view of a balcony floor system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, for use with resin-bound aggregate as the floor surface; Fig. 5 shows a detailed end view of the floor system of the first embodiment; and Fig. 6 shows a detailed end view of the floor system of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, an overall sectional view of a balcony including the various aspects of the invention is shown. Balcony 100 includes structural support beams 110 and 120, railings 130 and a balcony floor shown generally as 200.

Figs. 2-4 show key elements of different embodiments of the balcony floor 200 in more detail. Common to all embodiments are substrate/base layer 210, floor member 220 and fixing clamp 230. Substrate layer 210 is generally a flat sheet spanning the structural support beams 110 and 120, and can be formed for example from a sheet of steel, aluminium, GRP or any other suitable material, which is preferably non-combustible.

Floor member 220 is a generally elongate "board". In cross-section, the floor member 220 has upper face 221, lower face 222 and support sides 223 and 224. The floor member has a generally quadrilateral cross-section with opposing pairs of longer and shorter sides, one of the longer sides forming the upper face 221. As can be seen from the Figs 2-4, when the lower face 222 is mounted in a horizontal plane, the upper face 221 is angled relative to the horizontal plane to provide a drainage surface Dl. This is achieved by configuring the support sides 223 and 224 with different vertical heights, resulting in the upper and lower faces 221, 222 of the floor member 200 being nonparallel to one another.

Drainage surface D1 is shown with an angle A relative to the horizontal plane, a preferred value for which is about 5 degrees.

In order to save material and minimise weight, the floor member 220 is hollow. An internal support web 225 is provided for additional strength. Preferably, floor member 220 is formed from metal, such as steel or aluminium. Aluminium is preferred, as it is more corrosion-resistant than steel, lighter, and can be extruded to form the floor member 220. However, any other suitable material may be employed, including GRP for example. The hollow voids may be filled with a suitable material such as fire board for fire-prevention and for acoustic reasons.

Flanges 226 are provided for securing the floor member 220 to the balcony structure, e.g. to the substrate layer 210 or to the support beams 110 and 120. Fixing clamps 230 co-operate with the flanges 226 and are held down by screws 231, securing the floor members 220 in position.

As well as securing the floor members 220 in place, fixing clamps 230 also serve to space the floor members apart to form drainage channels C. Figs. 2-4 show different embodiments of the invention for use with different finished or decorative surfaces.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention which has an additional cover member 240 as the finished surface, which will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Fig. 5.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention which has an additional support member 250, for use with a decking member 140 as the finished surface, which will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Fig. 6.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the floor member 220 is employed on its own, without any additional support or cover members, for use with resin-bound aggregate layer 150. The resin-bound aggregate layer may itself be used to support a further decorative layer, such as paving slabs or tiles for example, which form the finished floor surface. The resin-bound aggregate can be made from any suitable aggregate size from 0.5mm to 10mm for example. The resin binds the aggregate to form a porous material allowing drainage through the material to the structure below. The aggregate layer and the floor member/channel system effectively forms a "French drain" and prevents debris from reaching the floor member or channel and blocking the system.

Turning to Fig. 5, an embodiment of the invention with an additional cover member 240 as the finished surface is shown in more detail. Floor members 220 and fixing clamps 230 are the same as described above in relation to Figs. 2-4.

Cover member 240 has an upper face 241 and downwardly-depending support projections 242 which are configured to contact the upper face 221 of the floor member 220 in use. The support projections 242 are configured such that, when the cover member 240 is mounted on the floor member, the upper face 241 is angled relative to the horizontal plane to provide a second drainage surface D2.

The upper face 241 can provide any desired finished surface, or can itself be covered with a further finished surface. Upper face 241 may be left plain or can be painted, powder-coated or otherwise treated or covered. Upper face 241 can be provided with anti-slip projections 243. Preferably, cover member 240 is formed from metal, such as steel or aluminium. Aluminium is preferred, as it is more corrosion-resistant than steel, lighter, and can be extruded to form the cover member 240. However, any other suitable material may be employed, including GRP for example.

The cover member 240 is separable from the floor member 220 for access and maintenance, and also for interchangeability if a different finished floor is desired. In this preferred embodiment, floor member 220 and cover member 240 are interlocked together by means of a hinge and latch arrangement. The hinge is formed through the engagement of a round projection 227 on the cover member 220 and a hook projection 244 on the cover member 240. A latch is formed by means of a latch extension 245 on one of the support projections 242 of the cover member 240 and a latch projection 228 provided in a recess on the floor member 220.

Fig. 5 shows the angle A of the first drainage surface D1 relative to the horizontal plane, and the angle B of the second drainage surface D2 relative to the horizontal plane. A preferred value for angle B is 2 degrees to provide a safe walking surface. Angle A is less critical because this surface is not typically walked on, but in the embodiment A is greater than B, and a preferred value for A is about 5 degrees.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention with an additional support member 250, for use with a decking member 140 as the finished surface, in more detail. Floor members 220 and fixing clamps 230 are the same as described above in relation to Figs. 2-4.

Support member 250 is generally T-shaped and rests on top of fixing clamp 230. Part of the fixing clamp 230 may project into the support member 250 as shown. The upper surface of the horizontal part of the "T" forms support face 251, on which decking members 140 can be laid and supported. Depending from the horizontal arm of the "T" are support projections 252, which contact the upper faces 221 of adjacent floor member 220. Support member 250 may simply rest in place, or it may be fixed in place by means of screws or other fastenings.

Clamping screw 253 is provided to both fix the decking members in place and also to space them apart so that the drainage function of the balcony floor is not compromised. The screw can be tightened or loosened by accessing with an appropriate tool through the gap between the decking members.

Preferably, support member 250 is formed from metal, such as steel or aluminium. Aluminium is preferred, as it is more corrosion-resistant than steel, lighter, and can be extruded to form the support member 250. However, any other suitable material may be employed, including GRP for example.

Decking members 140 are hollow to reduce weight and save material. They can be made from wood or plastic, or a wood-plastic composite.

Claims

Claims 1. A floor member for a balcony floor, wherein the floor member is elongate and has an upper face which, when the floor member is mounted in use in a horizontal plane, is angled relative to the horizontal to provide a first drainage surface.
2. The floor member of claim 1, wherein the floor member has support sides depending from the upper face, the support sides having different vertical heights such that, when the lower ends of the support sides are mounted in use in the same horizontal plane, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide the first drainage surface.
3. The floor member of claim 1 or 2, wherein the floor member has a planar lower face, the upper and lower faces of the floor member being non-parallel to one another such that, when mounted in use with the lower face in a horizontal plane, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide the first drainage surface.
4. The floor member of any preceding claim, wherein the floor member has a generally quadrilateral cross-section with opposing pairs of longer and shorter sides, one of the longer sides forming the upper face.
5. The floor member of claim 4, wherein the floor member cross-section is a trapezium.
6. The floor member of any preceding claim, wherein the floor member is hollow.
7. The floor member of claim 6, wherein the floor member has one or more internal support webs.
8. The floor member of any preceding claim, wherein the floor member is provided with a flange for mounting to the balcony structure.
9. A floor assembly for a balcony floor, comprising the floor member of any preceding claim and a support member which, when mounted on or adjacent to the floor member in use, is configured to provide a support surface for a decorative flooring member.
10. The floor assembly of claim 9, wherein the support member is provided with one or more support projections which are configured to contact the upper face of the floor member in use.
11. The floor assembly of claim 10, wherein the support member is configured to mount between adjacent floor members in use and wherein support projections are provided which are configured to contact the upper faces of the adjacent floor members in use.
12. A floor assembly for a balcony floor, comprising the floor member of any preceding claim and an elongate cover member having an upper face, wherein the cover member is separable from the floor member and in use overlies the upper face of the floor member, the cover member being configured such that, when mounted in use, the upper face is angled relative to the horizontal to provide a second drainage surface.
13. The floor assembly of claim 12, wherein both the upper face of the floor member and the upper face of the cover member are planar, wherein the upper face of the floor member is angled relative to the horizontal at an angle A, and wherein the upper face of the cover member is angled relative to the horizontal at an angle B.
14. The floor assembly of claim 13, wherein angle A is equal to or greater than angle B.
15. The floor assembly of claim 13 or 14, wherein angle A is up to around ten degrees, or preferably up to around five degrees.
16. The floor assembly of claims 13, 14 or 15, wherein angle B is up to around five degrees, or preferably up to around two degrees, or preferably around two degrees.
17. The floor assembly of any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the cover member is configured to provide an anti-slip second drainage surface.
18. The floor assembly of any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the cover member mounts onto the upper face of the floor member in use.
19. The floor assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover member is provided with support projections which are configured to contact the upper face of the floor member in use.
20. The floor assembly of any of claims 12 to 19, wherein the floor member and the cover member are configured to interlock together.
21. The floor assembly of claim 20, wherein the interlocking function is provided by one or more of the following: hinge and latch, catch, latch, interlocking projections.
22. A floor system for a balcony, comprising a plurality of floor members as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.
23. A floor system for a balcony, comprising a plurality of floor assemblies as claimed in any of claims 9 to 21.
24. A balcony comprising the floor system of claim 22 or 23, wherein each floor member is spaced from the adjacent floor member such that a drainage channel is formed between each floor member.
25. The balcony of claim 24, further comprising a substrate layer, wherein each floor member is mounted on the substrate layer.
26. The balcony of claim 24 or 25, further comprising a decorative layer above the floor system.
27. The balcony of claim 26, wherein the decorative layer is selected from: decking, resin, tiles, aggregate, resin-bound aggregate.