Mezzanine Floor Regulations UK

Mezzanine floor regulations govern materials, structure and design. They include rules and guidance about access, exits, edge protection, fire protection, intended use and load capacity.

 

A Quick Guide to Mezzanine Floor Regulations

 

Ensuring compliance with regulations is essential during the design, manufacturing, and installation process. These guidelines are for safety, functionality, and long-term performance.

 

We have been mezzanine floor specialists since 2007, so we understand mezzanine floor regulations inside out. If you have any questions, our friendly and professional team is here to assist – simply contact us for expert advice.

General Load Specifications for Mezzanine Floors

• Office: 3kN/m² (300kg per square metre)
• Storage: 5kN/m² (500kg per square metre)
• Retail: 4kN/m² (400kg per square metre)
• Medium Storage 7.5kN/m² (750kg per square metre)
• Heavy Storage: 10kN/m² (1000kg per square metre)

Mezzanine Floor Regulations UK Approval

 

Mezzanine floors are often exempt from planning permission, but not always, so you must check whether you need any before any construction takes place.

 

We can provide all the necessary documentation to ensure a smooth application and approval process, including:

 

• Architectural Drawings
• Engineering Drawings
• Structural Calculations
• Detailed Specifications

 

These documents are to be submitted directly to your local council or an approved inspector, giving them everything required to approve your mezzanine floor project.

 

Whether you need guidance with your application or want us to handle it entirely, our team is ready to assist.

Additional Planning Requirements

To increase the likelihood of your application being approved, you may also need to provide:

• Fire Strategy Plan (including fire exit locations)
• Staircase Calculations
• Balustrade Calculations
• Floor Slab Check Calculations (Subject to core sample/ slab details)

Our experts are happy to guide you through these requirements to ensure all mezzanine floor regulations are fully met.

Fire Safety & Fire Rating

 

Fire safety plays a big role in building and mezzanine floor regulations. They are designed to slow down or prevent a fire from spreading and allow ample time for safe escape in the event of an emergency.

 

Mezzanine floor regulations UK state that a one hour fire rating will be required for the underside of your floor if it meets any of the following criteria:

 

• It is used for purposes other than storage or maintenance
• It is greater than 400m² in area.
• It measures over 20m in length or width
• It exceeds 50% of the area in which it is to be installed
• It is not for occasional use and will occupied by three or more employees at any one time
• Is accessible to the public

 

Fire rating is mainly required for offices, any area that is public facing and workspaces to slow the spread of fire and to allow ample time for any occupants to evacuate safely.

Access

 

As well as adhering to mezzanine floor regulations, access to spaces should be user-friendly, functional and inclusive.

 

Stairs or Staircases – Mezzanine floors must have safe and suitable staircases. The number, nature and placement of staircases will be determined by the size of the mezzanine and its intended use.

 

Ramps – If heavy goods or machinery need to be moved on and off the floor, a ramp might be required. Ramps should have a gradient that is safe and manageable and edge protection to prevent falls of either people or items.

 

Lifts – For larger mezzanines, to accommodate disabled access or the movement of goods, a lift might be required.

Edge Protection

 

A key aspect of mezzanine floor regulations is edge protection for fall prevention. The specification and style of balustrades and handrails protecting the edges of the mezzanine are subject to height and load bearing rules to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

 

In more industrial or warehouse environments, where goods are transferred between levels, a mezzanine pallet gate is advised to ensure the safety of staff.

Floor Surface

 

The mezzanine floor itself should be of a material that minimises the risk of slips and trips. It should be able to withstand the weight and any wear and tear caused by machinery or equipment. In industrial settings where spills could occur, surfaces should not only be anti-slip but also easy to clean.

Planning permission

 

In general, planning permission is not necessary when fitting a mezzanine floor. However, in certain cases it may be needed, for example if changes to the external facade of the building are required, such as new windows or if it is part of any change of use. If you are unsure about any of this, please get in touch with us.

Landlords

 

If you aren’t the owner of your premises your landlord will need to be informed about the proposed plans. Before going ahead with the installation, Mezz Floors UK will need to see written approval from the landlord. Our team will happily supply detailed drawings and calculations if required to help your bid to gain landlord approval.

Installation Time

 

We understand the importance of an efficient installation, so our installation teams work quickly, fitting approximately 60m2 per day.

 

During the installation of your new mezzanine floor, no unauthorised personnel will be allowed in the working area for health and safety reasons. If you require your mezzanine to be installed outside of normal working hours, please let us know and this can be arranged at an additional cost.

 

Mezz Floors UK is committed to working to your schedule to help minimise disruptions to your business so, if you need your premises to remain active, we will work out how we can best accommodate your requirements.

Other Considerations

 

During the installation process, our team will need access to plant equipment. We can arrange this, or help you keep costs to a minimum by using suitable equipment that your company already owns.

 

The hire of a skip for the process may also be necessary.

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