Common balcony
A balcony is: ‘An external platform at an upper floor level with a balustrade to the open sides projecting from or recessed from an external wall and including in this definition generally accessible rooftop terraces and galleries and loggia.’ Ref International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS): Residential Buildings, published by the International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) in September 2016.
Approved document B, Fire Safety, Volume 2, Buildings other than dwellinghouses (2019 edition), defines a common balcony as:
‘A walkway, open to the air on one or more sides, that forms part of the escape route from more than one flat.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Balcony.
- Building evacuation.
- Common area.
- Common facilities.
- Common stair.
- Escape route.
- Evacuating vulnerable and dependent people from buildings in an emergency FB 52.
- Exit passageway.
- Fire door.
- Firefighting route.
- Means of escape.
- Protected escape route.
- Protected stairway.
- Storey exit.
- Unprotected escape route.
- Vomitory.
- Width of doors stairs and escape routes.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The heritage of nuclear and conventional power stations.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.