We set high requirements for our members
Joining Balkongföreningen is not meant to be easy
Membership of Balkongföreningen is a mark of quality and an active commitment. It is not easy to become a member, and it is not meant to be. Membership rests on responsibility and a willingness to contribute to the shared development of the industry.
As a member you are expected, among other things, to actively support the association's purpose, to follow the quality standards set out in its technical guidelines, and to comply with its statutes and decisions.
Method descriptions for our tests
Every new balcony railing and balcony glazing unit supplied by our member companies must meet high requirements for personal safety. That is why Balkongföreningen has developed, among other things, a standardised heavy impact test, used to verify that structures withstand the loads they may be subjected to in real life. The test simulates a person thrown against a railing or glazing unit at full force, which must then hold.
To test baluster railings, Balkongföreningen has also developed a standardised wedge test, which verifies that the gap between balusters does not become too wide when the railing is loaded. This reduces the risk of someone passing through or becoming trapped in the openings.
In addition to these tests, every structure must also withstand the wind loads it may be exposed to. Careful wind load calculations ensure that railings and glazing cope with the stresses that arise depending on the height, position and surroundings of the building.
Technical documents
Technical guidelines, Sweden
Technical guidelines, Sweden – fire
Reports – analytical fire engineering design
Reports from SP
Ingemanssons Ingenjörsbyrå
Railings – heavy impact
Railings – deflection of baluster railings
Related organisations
Information from authorities, industry bodies and technical experts contributing to safe and sustainable development in the construction and balcony industries.
Boverket
Sweden's national board of housing, building and planning. Boverket is responsible for building regulations, provisions and guidance that underpin safe and sustainable construction.
Glascentrum-MTK
An industry body that develops guidelines and instructions for selecting and installing glass in buildings. Glascentrum also provides training, inspections and technical advice for the glass industry.
Projectma AB
Specialists in balconies, railings and balcony glazing, offering design, project management, inspection, technical investigations and statutory building control. The company also assesses the condition of existing balconies.
RISE Research Institutes of Sweden
Sweden's state research institute, conducting research, testing, certification and technical development across a range of fields, including construction, materials and safety.
Svensk Planglasförening
The industry association for companies in the Swedish flat glass sector. It works to spread knowledge about the properties, applications and technical development of glass, and promotes safe and sustainable use of glass in buildings.