A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING MEZZANINE FLOORS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS

What is a Mezzanine Floor?

A mezzanine floor is an additional floor level created between the main floor or floor and ceiling. It is typically manufactured off-site to minimise disruption and can be designed to create extra space for storage, office use, or retail areas. Mezzanine floors are bespoke and can be tailored to various applications, making them an attractive solution for businesses looking to optimise their space.

Benefits of Mezzanine Floors

1. Increase space: Mezzanine floors allow businesses to use the vertical space, creating additional usable areas without expanding the building's footprint.
2. Cost-Effective: Compared to traditional construction, mezzanine floors are generally quicker and cheaper to install, making them an attractive option for businesses on a budget.
3. Flexible Design: Mezzanines can be tailored to meet specific business needs, whether for storage, workspaces, or retail displays.
4. Improved Workflow: Mezzanine floors can enhance workflow and efficiency by creating additional levels, helping businesses operate more effectively. Westwood Projects will work with you to create a bespoke design, ensuring maximum benefit.

Building Regulations for Mezzanine Floors

When planning to install a mezzanine floor, it's crucial to comply with local building regulations. Here are some key rules to consider:

1. Planning Permission: Depending on the size and purpose of the mezzanine, you may need to apply for planning permission. Local authorities will assess how the addition affects the building's overall structure and surrounding area.
2. Building Regulations Approval: All new mezzanine floors must comply with the Building Regulations.
3. Structural Integrity: The mezzanine must be designed to support its intended load. This involves calculations to ensure the beams, columns, and flooring materials can handle the weight without compromising safety.
4. Fire Safety: Fire safety regulations dictate that a mezzanine must have adequate fire exits, smoke alarms, and fire-resistant materials. The specifics can vary based on the building's use and occupancy. All new mezzanine floors must comply with the Building Regulations – Approved Document B – Fire safety in the UK.
5. Accessibility: If the mezzanine is intended for public use, it must comply with accessibility regulations, ensuring that it is usable for all individuals, including those with disabilities.

Mezzanine Floor Installation Process

Westwood Projects offers a full installation service which includes:

1. Free No-Obligation Site Visit: One of our experienced engineers will visit your premises, conduct a site survey and discuss your requirements.
2. Preliminary Design & Quote: Preparation of drawings and quotations.
3. Pre-order modifications: We will work with you to create a final design and ensure the new mezzanine meets your requirements.
4. Official order: Once the order is confirmed, we will arrange for one of our surveyors to conduct a production survey. Our design team will create CAD drawings based on the design and site survey. These are then when agreed upon and signed off by you before we commence manufacturing. We will then prepare a 'Structural Design Report' which includes structural calculations for Building Regulations approval. We will then agree on an installation schedule.
5. Production & Installation: Once production is complete, your new mezzanine floor will be delivered to your site, and our installation teams will immediately commence construction. For peace of mind, we conduct regular safety and quality inspections, which are reported for sign-off.
6. Ancillary Works: We will complete ancillary works, including essential fire protection work.
7. Completion & Hand Over: Your mezzanine floor project is complete; we will carry out a final inspection and hand it over to you, ready for occupation.

What are the regulations that must be followed?

Mezzanine Building Regulations Part A – Structural Safety

Structural calculations: The structural integrity of the mezzanine floor must be verified, and structural calculations must be provided. Our designers use software that calculates the loadings, ensuring that weight limits are not exceeded. These calculations are based on the floor's requirements, such as the column layout, floor levels, and the weight load to which the floor will be subjected.

Floor Slab: When constructing a mezzanine, confirming that the existing floor slab can support the weight of the mezzanine columns and base plates is essential. This is achieved by comparing the slab's capabilities to the columns' loads.

Part B – Fire Safety

Structural fire protection: Mezzanine structures must be protected from fire and heat with systems including suspended ceilings, column casings, and fascia's. Without these, the structure is at risk if exposed to fire.

The only time a mezzanine floor may be exempt from requiring fire protection is if the floor is to be used for storage only and it meets all the following parameters:

• It does not exceed 50% of the area in which the floor will be located.
• Does not exceed 400m2 in size.
• Does not exceed more than 20 metres in any direction.
• The mezzanine will not have operatives working on or below the floor.
• The mezzanine will only be used for storage.

All other floors will require fire protection, irrespective of use. If you are planning a mezzanine floor that will be used as an office that occupies more than 20% of the area where it will be located, the mezzanine must be enclosed in its own fire-resistant compartment, separate from the remainder of your building. Fire-resistant partitions, suspended ceilings, and doors will achieve this.

Fire Detection and Emergency Lighting: Mezzanine building regulations state that mezzanines must have smoke/ heat detection on the underside of the floor, and the fire alarm system should meet British Standard BS5839. Emergency lighting is required to provide illumination during a power failure to support a safe exit in an emergency.

Access / Egress - Mezzanine Staircases

Mezzanine building regulations state that a specific number of staircases and their locations should be planned, depending on size and use. Maximum travel distances must not be exceeded, and in the event of an emergency, the distance needed to travel should be no more than 25 metres to the bottom of the staircase and less than 45 metres to the final exit point if there is more than one staircase. This ensures people have sufficient time to exit the building safely.

If these distances are exceeded, additional staircases will need to be provided. The distance to the bottom of your staircase should be 18 metres for office mezzanine floors. Building Regulations require a minimum of one staircase to be a 'protected staircase' and within its own separate compartment constructed with fire-resistant partition walls and ceilings.

Building Regulations Part K – Reducing the risk of falls

Handrails: Building regulations require that the exposed edges of a mezzanine floor should have suitable edge protection to prevent occupants from falling. Handrails must include a top rail, a middle rail, and a kick plate, reducing the likelihood of objects falling to the floor below. If members of the public will access the mezzanine, the handrails must be safe for all ages and have no gaps.

Pallet Gates: If you intend to use your new mezzanine floors for loading and unloading materials or stock, mezzanine building regulations state that there must be a consistent edge between the employee and the edge of the mezzanine floor. Having pallet gates installed will protect staff from loading and unloading material or stock.

Building Regulations Part M – Accessing and using your building

Your building should be accessible without discrimination to all, including people of all ages, wheelchair users, and those with mobility difficulties. The mezzanine floor should be designed with this in mind. This regulation primarily targets mezzanine floors needed for continuous access, such as offices, rather than storage areas.

Depending on its purpose, Local Authority Building Control guides how a staircase should be designed. Treads (or steps) should have a maximum rise of 190mm with a minimum tread of 250mm. A mezzanine staircase's width will be designed to suit the use of the floor and will typically measure between 800mm and 1200mm wide. General access staircases should also incorporate a mid-landing at least every 12 steps. In certain circumstances, this requirement can be relaxed to 16 steps where the property doesn't have enough floor space.