A steel mezzanine adds a floor inside an existing building, for storage, offices or production, without extending the footprint. The three things that govern it are the design loading, the fire and escape requirements, and building control approval, which most mezzanines need.
What a mezzanine is for
A mezzanine is an intermediate steel floor that uses the spare height in a warehouse, unit or retail space. It's a fast, cost-effective way to gain floor area, racking and storage, an office over the shop floor, or extra production space, without moving or extending.
Design loading
The mezzanine is designed for the imposed load it will carry, which is very different for storage versus offices versus plant. Loads follow BS EN 1991 (Eurocode 1), and the steel beams, columns and deck are sized to suit. Tell us what the floor is for, because under-designing or over-designing both cost money.
Fire and means of escape
Adding a floor changes the building's fire strategy. Depending on size and use, a mezzanine may need fire protection to the steel and compliant means of escape (stairs, travel distances, protected routes) under Approved Document B. This is often the part that catches people out, so it's designed in from the start.
Building control and planning
Most mezzanines require building regulations approval, and larger ones can have planning and fire-safety implications. We design and fabricate the steel to meet the loading and the regulations; confirm the approval route for your building with your building control body.
Common questions
- Do I need building regulations approval for a mezzanine?
- Most steel mezzanine floors require building regulations approval, covering structural design, fire protection and means of escape. Larger mezzanines can also have planning and fire-safety implications. Confirm the route with your building control body.
- How is a mezzanine floor's loading decided?
- It's set by what the floor is used for, storage, office or plant all carry very different imposed loads. The loads follow BS EN 1991 (Eurocode 1), and the steel is sized accordingly. Tell us the intended use so it's neither under- nor over-designed.
- Does a mezzanine need fire protection?
- Often, yes. Adding a floor changes the fire strategy, so the steel may need fire protection and the mezzanine may need compliant means of escape under the building regulations. It depends on the size and use, and is designed in from the outset.