External solar shading must be considered early when planning residential high-rise buildings in the UK. Where Part B building regulations, Approved Document B and fire behaviour requirements apply, the classification of facade-related components becomes a key specification issue.

WAREMA external venetian blinds with A2-classified slats support compliant façade planning in this context. The slats 80 S, 80 AF and 80 WF are classified A2-s1,d0 in accordance with EN 13501-1 and provide a documented basis for specification used for external sun shading systems where fire behaviour requirements are relevant.

For architects, facade planners and project developers, this creates a reliable basis for combining solar shading, daylight control and regulatory planning.

UK building regulations define safety requirements for construction products used in and around buildings. In recent years, fire behaviour requirements for construction products have been revised and clarified. These requirements also affect external solar shading systems.

For residential buildings over 18 metres tall in the UK, external sun shading systems installed above a height of 4.5 metres must meet the classification A2-s1,d0 pursuant to EN 13501-1. This makes the choice of solar shading for windows a planning decision that connects architecture, facade technology and regulatory compliance.

External solar shading influences more than thermal comfort. It affects the facade design, the building envelope and the coordination between architectural planning, fire safety and technical specification.

A clearly documented fire classification helps project teams:

  • assess whether a product fits the regulatory context
  • reduce uncertainty during specification
  • support coordination with façade consultants and approval bodies
  • create a transparent basis for tenders and quotations

A2-s1,d0 describes the fire behaviour of a tested construction product under EN 13501-1. The classification is relevant when external sun shading systems are used in regulated facade applications. EN 13501-1 remains the fundamental standard in the UK.

The classification consists of three parts:

  • A2: non-flammable, with no relevant contribution to fire
  • s1: minimal smoke development
  • d0: no flaming droplets or particles

For external venetian blinds, this classification gives architects and planners a clearer basis for product selection when fire behaviour requirements apply.

WAREMA offers A2-classified slats for external venetian blinds. The classification applies to the slats 80 S, 80 AF and 80 WF and supports the use of external sun shading systems in residential buildings in accordance with Building Regulations and Approved Document B.

This helps project teams specify external solar shading where both facade design and fire behaviour requirements need to be considered.

The WAREMA slats 80 S, 80 AF and 80 WF are used in external venetian blinds and allow precise control of daylight, glare and solar gain. As part of the material testing, a set of slats was tested in the SBI test. The energy content of the aluminium and painted coating components was also determined in the PCS test. This provides a documented basis for the A2-s1,d0 classification. Examples for mountig situations:

External shaft, basic external venetian blind with rail guidance, slat 80 S

Front-mounted, basic external venetian blind with rail guidance, slat 80 AF

Basic external venetian blind with rail guidance, Windra flat slat 80 WF

Planning external solar shading for residential high-rise buildings requires early coordination. Product selection must support design quality, user comfort and regulatory requirements.

WAREMA A2-classified external venetian blinds help reduce uncertainty in this process. The documented classification supports the specification phase, the quotation process and project coordination.

The detailed classification report can be issued by request:

  • product selection during early planning
  • technical specification for external venetian blinds
  • coordination with façade consultants
  • quotation requests
  • permit and approval processes

External solar shading can contribute to visual comfort, glare control and thermal performance. In residential high-rise projects in the UK, it must also be assessed in relation to building regulations fire requirements.

WAREMA external venetian blinds with A2-classified slats provide a tested solution for this planning context. They combine facade-integrated solar shading with documented fire behaviour according to EN 13501-1, which remains the fundamental standard in the UK.