It’s no secret that greenery is a great boost to mental well-being. Add in the advantages of supporting biodiversity, improving air quality and helping manage surface water run-off, it’s a no-brainer to include planting wherever possible.
If your roof terrace scheme includes planters, planning them in at the design stage ensures correct specification for loadings, fire-rating, and drainage from the very beginning as well as ensuring that roof coverings are protected.
The most common method of installation is to place planters on top of the surface finish, whether that be decking or pavers, as this provides the greatest flexibility for design and layout.
In-decking allows the planter to sit below the deck line and is a more permanent solution as moving planters once installed is much more difficult.
Ultimately it is a design choice and both can be supported using a pedestal solution.
The overall weight (or dead load) of the finished planter needs to be calculated to ensure that the pedestal system has the compressive strength to meet the requirement. The dead load includes the weight of the planter unit plus the plants, soil, stones and water, factoring in the growth of the plants over time.
The Buzon range of pedestals offer the flexibility of adjustable height and slope-correction combined with rigorous compression testing, ensuring the integrity of the pedestal is maintained over time. For additional support, a rail-based system can be used in conjunction with pedestals and this can also make for an easier installation. Buzon can help you choose the correct system for your project.
This lovely project for TK Maxx headquarters building included planters filled with both flowering plants and young trees. The scheme is a mix of on-deck planters supported by PB Pedestals as well as those supported on hard standing.
All planters need to allow drainage, and this is achieved mainly through holes in the base. On-deck planters will drain through gaps between decking and pavers, with in-deck planters draining much more efficiently provided they are raised off the ground.
Planters should never be placed directly on top of waterproofing or insulation for several reasons. Placing a planter directly on top of roofing membrane is likely to cause its own drainage issues, as well as not sitting level if the roof is laid to falls. Using pedestals with slope correction accessories and round bases with a diameter in excess of 170mm will ensure that the planters are level, as well as protecting the membrane. Read our blog on overcoming challenges on roof terraces for more information about pedestal installations on roofs.
Planters can include grassed areas, flower beds and trees which all improve drainage via absorption and slow release of water. The stunning landscaped roof terrace at 100 Bishopsgate is a great example, employing adjustable BC Pedestals to support decking, ramps and steps as well as planters.
Fire safety is an important consideration for balconies and roof terraces. Whilst the planter units themselves are currently considered to be furniture when it comes to fire regulations, and therefore do not have specific fire-rating requirements, what about the supporting pedestals?
Best practice for roofing is to meet a minimum fire rating of BROOF(t4) and for on-deck installations the pedestal build-up would meet the same fire rating as the rest of the terrace whether it’s a certified BROOF(t4) system or fully non-combustible.
If the planters are in-deck and sit directly on pedestals, the requirements for the supporting pedestals are less defined, with their classification currently under discussion in the review of BS8579 Guide to the Design of Balconies and Terraces. Our advice in this instance is to use non-combustible A1 fire rated pedestals such as A-PED for an in-deck installation.
Whatever style or size of your on-decking or in-decking planters, you’ll need a pedestal solution that supports your scheme, levels uneven surfaces and meets fire regulations.
Buzon pedestals are designed to meet a wide range of challenges. From Class A1 fire rated pedestals to BBA-certified BC adjustable decking supports, we have solutions that provide superior strength, design creativity and enhanced fire safety.
If your roof terrace scheme includes planters and you need advice, why not speak to one of our experts? Give us a call on +44 020 8614 0874 or get in touch today!