THERMCONX

BOLT ON BALCONIES
 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Balcony Types EuroKobra Design Regulations

What is a bolt on What types of Testing thermal Inset or recessed? What regulations
balcony? balconies can you performance are there regarding
Balustrading
supply? balustrading?
How does it work? Thermal imaging Balcony chassis
What makes the Balustrading
Where can a bolt bolt on balcony regulation BS 6399
Chassis metalwork
on balcony system system different?
be used? Protection from
Drainage System falling?

Anchor Points

Undertrays
 7 8 9 10 11
Connection Connection Connection Connection Advantages
Detail Detail Detail Detail

What types of Wind Post Cast in situ Wooden Floor Joist Summary
construction can a
bolt on balcony be
used in?

Pre-cast concrete

THERMALLY BROKEN
BOLT ON BALCONY SYSTEMS
2 What is a bolt on balcony?
Introduction
Introduction
Regardless of who you are, where you live or what
you do, the world is going green like never before and
everyone has a part to play.
With such a need to reduce the amount of energy that
we are using, there has never been more emphasis
placed on conserving the amount of fuel and power
used within buildings then there is now.
Archtechnik are world leaders in the design and
manufacture of bespoke metal work. We specialize in
the design and manufacture of bolt on balconies and
ThermConX, the most efficient and effective thermal
break connections available anywhere in the world
today.
Archtechnik is proud to introduce the first ever range
of thermally broken bolt on balconies, available in a
range of contemporary designs and all in complete
compliance with the new building regulations on
thermal bridging.
What is a bolt on balcony?
Archtechnik’s thermally broken bolt on balcony range
are modulated balcony systems designed specifically
to eliminate thermal bridging.
This is accomplished by allowing structural
connections to be made between external balconies
and the internal floor slab, without in any way
compromising the continuous thermal insulation of
the building.
How does it work?
The first fix consists of specially manufactured sub
frames being built into the structure of the building,
leaving a connection point in the insulated cavity.
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T h er m al l y Br o k e n B o l t o n B a l c o n i es
The second fix involves a completed bolt on balcony
being delivered to site and installed, complete with
thermal break connections, directly to the building by
our team of highly skilled engineers.
This system guarantees that the same high quality
product is provided every time and ensures that time
on site is kept to an absolute minimum.
Where can a bolt on balcony system be used?
The versatility of the bolt on balcony system means it
can be used in all conventional types of construction,
from wind post, pre-cast and hollow rib to brick and
block with wood floor joist and timber frame.
Although the sub frame and fixing detail differs in
order to accommodate different types of construction,
the chassis and balustrade details stay common.
The Bolt on balcony system is available in a wide
range of sizes to accommodate all architects designs
and threshold details.
Using our specially designed access eqipment, we
are able to install numerous balconies in a single day
without the need for scaffolding.
The access equipment
benefits from having a
very small footprint, en-
abling it to be erected on
tight sites or coastal de-
velopments where space
is at a premium.
Also the access equip-
ment can be quickly made
weather proof, ensuring
that work is able to
progress on time and to
schedule regardless of ex-
ternal conditions.
3 What makes the bolt on balcony system different? T hermally Bro ken Bol t on Balcon ies
Balcony Types
What type of balconies do you supply?
We supply three different types of balconies, all
available in a wide range of styles and designs to suit
all tastes, requirements and occasions.
The three types of balconies that we supply are
Access, Juliet and Walk on.
Juliet Balconies
The juliet balconies that we supply are available in a
range of styles to compliment the walk on balconies
that we supply.
All of our juliet balconies are in compliance with
building regulation BS 3699 regarding the minimum
height for all guarding balustrading.
Access Balconies
These balconies are used to provide access to serv-
ice persons, ie window cleaners, so they are able to
safely clean the outside of the windows/doors
Walk on Balconies
Walk on balconies are available in a range of modern
and contemporary styles to suit all tastes and design
profiles.
Walk on balconies can be designed to suit any
specification and projection from the building.
Because we are able to supply all types of balconies,
it is possible to have the same design detail following
through all types of balconies on the same
development. This allows for aesthetically pleasing
and balanced design detail.
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What makes the bolt on balcony system different?
Aside from the unique nature of how the bolt on
balcony system works and can be incorporated within
all types of construction, there are also other unique
features that come as standard:
Drainage system
All of our balconies can come complete with an in built
drainage system. This system involves the decking
being inset in to the chassis and sitting 5mm above
the chassis frame to assist drainage, and a plastic drip
tray set underneath the decking to channel any
spillages to an outlet pipe mounted to the side of the
balcony chassis. This system ensures that all water
that may find its way on to the balcony floor (via rain-
water or spillages) is chanelled away from the
balcony.
Anchor Points
All of our balconies have the option of having attached
anchor points which provide a safe and secure means
by which service persons ie cleaners are able to se-
curely attach themselves and ensure no risk of acci-
dent whilst working at heights.
Undertrays
We are able to offer undertrays for all of our balcony
systems. Undertrays offer an aesthetically pleasing
finishing touch to the balcony. They are available in a
range of materials and styles from light weight open
mesh to a solid metal or plastic panel to suit all de-
signs and requirements.
Undertrays also offer the extra benefit of ensuring that
birds are unable to perch or root in the underside of
the balcony chassis and protect neighbours from spi-
lages etc. Further details are available on our website
for all of the above.
4 Thermal Imaging
Eurokobra
Testing the ThermConX’s thermal performance
We used the EUROkobra computer program
extensively in the development and testing of our
thermally broken bolt on balcony system. The fol-
lowing diagrams show the dramatic difference be-
tween a cantilevered balcony member which
bridges the insulation layer and one which does not.
This thermal image shows how effectively our
ThermConX halts the conduction of heat energy
into and out of the building.
This thermal image shows how a non-thermally
broken connection reduces the temperature of the
fabric of the building.
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T h e rm a l l y B ro ke n Bo l t o n B al co n i e s
Thermal Imaging
This thermal image shows the cold bridges
created by bridging the insulative cavity of the building
envelope. Heat energy is conducted in to the balcony
chassis via these cold bridges and then radiated into
the atmosphere. As much as 30% of the buildings
total heat energy is wasted in this way.
This thermal image shows how solar heat energy is
absorbed into the balcony floor. This heat is conducted
back into the building through the insulated cavity,
causing a considerable rise in room temperature and
subsequent energy use to cool down the room again.
Room temperature of +20 degrees C.
Relative humidity in the room 60%
ThemConX Structural thermal breal connection has
been awarded National Type approval by the
L.A.B.C. Certificate #411-6-7171, please see the
website for details.
5 Inset or Recessed
Chassis & Balustrading
T h e rm a l l y B r o k en Bo l t o n B al co n i e s

Inset or recessed? Balcony chassis

We supply balconies to suit all types of installation, from a All of our balcony chassis’ are designed to meet
simple cantilever to inset or recessed. all standard types of doors and doors with side
panels (see table below).

A bolt on balcony in plan A bolt on balcony in plan We are also able to offer bespoke sizes if required.
view with the sides view, a simple cantilever For specific dimensions please contact our design
abutting the floor slab off the building department at info@archtechnik.co.uk.

Typical Door Width Overall chassis width

1200 1800
1600 2200
1800 2200
2000 2400

Chassis Metalwork

All chassis metalwork is fully welded mild steel

which is hot dipped zinc galvanized to U.K.A.S.
standard BS EN 1461:1999.

All mild steel metalwork is zinc passivated up to

Balustrading 30 microns and treated with an acid primer before
receiving the final coat of epoxy polyester paint
We design balustrading based upon either a P.F.C. toes in finish to customer’s chosen RAL colour. This
or P.F.C. toes out system. combination performs the highest level of
protection from corrosion with the highest quality of
The P.F.C. toes in system is used whenever a standard paint finish.
balustrading design such as structural glass is required.
(See above right) All balustrade panels have weld free junctions for
a clean and square profile.
The P.F.C. toes out system allows for more elaborate
balustrading designs such as elaborate metal post All stainless steel fittings are grade 304 satin finish
arrangements. (See above left) unless specified otherwise.

This system allows us to accommodate all designs of

balustrading, from simple and effective to complex and
elaborate.

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6 Are there regulations regarding balustrading?
Balustrading
T h er ma l l y Br o k e n B o l t o n B a l c o n i es

What regulations are there regarding balustrading?

There are two main building regulations relating to balustrading on balconies.

Balustrade compliance with building regulation BS6399

All of the balustrading designs that we offer with our balcony range comply with the 1100mm rule and
exceeds the level of loading required to meet this standard. (See table below)

Type of occu- Horizontal A uniformly A point load

pancy for part of Examples of uniformly distributed load applied to part of
the building or specific use distributed applied to the in- the infill
structure line load fill

C3 areas without Stairs, landing,

obstacles for corridors, ramps, 0.74 1.0 0.5
moving people etc.
External bal-
Not suspect for conies, roof
over crowding edges. Pave- 0.74 1.0 0.5
ments within
building curtilage.

Building regulation approved document K2: Protection from falling

This regulation sets a minimum height of 1100mm for all guarding. The guarding must be able to resist
a minimum force of 0.74kn/m at the top edge.
The balustrade must be able to resist a point load equivalent to 50kg through a 50mm square indent
when applied to the most vulnerable point.

0.74kn/m at the top most point of the balustrade

Minimum height of balustrade, 100mm

Finished floor height

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7 Connection Detail
Pre-cast Concrete Construction
T h e r ma l l y B r o k en B o l t o n B a l co n i e s

What types of construction can your balcony system be used within?

Our bolt on balcony system can be incorporated within all types of construction.
The following diagram shows how our system can be incorporated within pre-cast concrete construction

Pre-cast Concrete

To see this connection detail diagrams in more detail please visit our website.

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8 Connection Detail
Wind Post Construction
T h e rm a l l y B ro ke n Bo l t o n Ba l c o n i e s

Wind post construction

To see this connection detail diagrams in more detail please visit our website.

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9 Connection Detail
Cast in Situ Construction
T h er m al l y Br o k e n B o l t o n Ba l c o n i es

Cast in situ construction

To see this connection detail diagrams in more detail please visit our website.

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10 Connection Detail
Wooden Floor Joist Construction
T h e r ma l l y B r o k en B o l t o n B a l co n i e s

Timber Frame Building

Eco Joist

Wooden Floor Joist

To see this connection detail diagrams in more detail please visit our website.

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11 Advantages
Summary
T h e r ma l l y B r o k en B o l t o n B a l co n i e s

Advantages Summary

Here are some advantages of using the ThermConX The bolt on balcony system offers the client an
balcony system over a standard balcony system. unrivaled flexibility and freedom of choice in the
balcony and balustrading design detail available.
They offer complete compliance with the new It can be adapted to suit all build schedules and
* Part L building regulations regarding thermal accommodate and delays that may arise on site
bridging, and the National Building
Specification (N.B.S) regulations on cold With the constant revision of building regulations
bridging relating to institial condensation. imposing ever more stringent construction industry
guidelines year upon year, the need for more efficient
They are completely resistant to the and versatile building products is greater than it has
* passage of sound and in complete compliance ever been.
with the new Part E building regulations.
There has never been a more important time for lat-
They allow structural connections to be made eral thinking within the construction industry, and
* between the external balcony chassis and the never more need for such a versatile and effective
internal floor slab, without interrupting the balcony system than now.
continuous thermal insulation of the building.
Our ‘Bolt On’ system is carried throughout our range
They are available for use in all common of products including Canopies and Brie Soleil.
* forms of construction, from cast in situ and
pre-cast concrete floors to conventional block Archtechnik’s ThermConX bolt on balcony system
wall and wind post systems. Revolutionizing Innovation.

They come in a range of standard widths and

* lengths to suit all standard french door
openings.

The modular system allows us to keep time

* on site to an absolute minimum , while
ensuring a quality finished factory produced
balcony system every time.

Our specially designed access equipment

* allows us to install numerous balconies in a
single day, without the need for scaffolding
and in any weather conditions. This ensures
work is kept on schedule and to budget.

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Contact Us T h er m al l y Br o k e n B o l t o n Ba l c o n i es

Archtechnik
Hathern Industrial Estate
Rempstone Road
Normanton On Soar
Leicestershire
LE12 5EW

Tel: 08704604831
Fax: 08704604832

Email: info@archtechnik.co.uk
Website: www.archtechnik.co.uk

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