A GUIDE TO MEZZANINE FLOORS

As companies grow, they often run out of space and as a result consider moving into larger premises. A far cheaper alternative is to utilise the existing headroom within a building and create additional accommodation by installing a Spaceway FlooriTall mezzanine floor.

Mezzanines are now utilised for a wide-range of functions including storage, work platforms, manufacturing space, catwalk structures and observation platforms, office and retail space, bin and rack support and archive storage. Companies frequently use the area under the mezzanine for its original purpose whilst using the space on their new mezzanine to meet the space requirements or alternatively this area can also be utilised to create additional offices, meeting rooms, breakout areas, etc.

Mezzanines blend into the original structure and once constructed are virtually indistinguishable. All on site services needed to ensure the functioning of the new area such as cabling and electricity can be easily installed during construction.

Depending on the headroom available, Spaceway can install multi-tier FlooriTall mezzanines that take full advantage of the space available. Although in most cases Planning Permission is not required, Spaceway will deal with any local authority building regulations and ensure the installation meets DDA requirements.

SPACEWAY FLOORITALL MEZZANINES

Spaceway FlooriTall mezzanines are designed and constructed in accordance to BRE Digest 437 (the Guidance on Industrial Platform Floors) and BS5950, which ensure the first resistance of steel and steel/concrete composite structures. In this way, you can be assured that your mezzanine is safe, legal and fit for purpose.

A FlooriTall mezzanine is custom designed to meet your specific requirements. As each customer’s requirements are different, our engineers will meet to discuss your specific requirements and our design team will create the ultimate solution to satisfy your needs. We will also be able to advise you on the most appropriate structure to accommodate your specifications including floor area, imposed load and access.

Mezzanines were formerly constructed primarily from hot rolled steel sections and most often with the secondary beams placed across the top of the main beams. Improvement in the stability of those beams was brought about by design changes allowing the secondary beams to be fixed to the web of the main beams. An additional benefit is the reduction in ‘floor depth’ – the distance from the bottom of the largest steel beam to the top of the decking material, commonly known as a ‘slimline’ construction. The availability of a wider range of lightweight, cold-rolled section enabled lighter structures to be designed, with resultant cost and imposed load benefits. The load they carry and the ability of the ground slab to bear this load is determined by the size of the base plates. The size and number of columns depends on a combination of the load imposed on the mezzanine, the column widths and the load bearing capability of the ground.

The huge variety of steel sections now available enables designers to produce mezzanines with large column grids and in almost any shape, to suit all types of installation. In commercial applications, it is possible to build the mezzanine whereby customers are unable to feel any difference between walking on a structural mezzanine and walking on a concrete floor.

Health & Safety regulations are met with the fitting of handrails and mid-height knee-rails and kick boards on all exposed edges. Access is normally via steel staircases with steel treads. When the mezzanine is designed to accommodate offices, the structure will be encased for fire-rating purposes but not the staircase. If aesthetics are of paramount importance architecturally designed staircases and handrails can be fitted at an additional cost.

MEZZANINE ACCESS

This is practically the ‘be all and end all’ of mezzanine design. It may be possible to access the mezzanine by creating a doorway from an adjacent office, however most mezzanines require their own staircase and sometimes a personal lift. If the mezzanine is being used for storage it may well be that you will require a pallet gate, goods lift or goods conveyor. Spaceway will be able to advise you on all these points.

Building Relations must be adhered to. Part K covers falls and specifically to the design of staircases and barriers used on mezzanine floors. Part M relates to the provision of access and the Disability Discrimination Act and states that wherever possible virtual circulation within a building should include a lift large enough to accommodate all types of potential users. Recognising this is not always possible, Building Inspectors normally allow a single staircase to be used for small storage area, but larger storage mezzanine will require compliant stairs

Spaceway will handle the complete Building Regulations applications on your behalf thereby ensuring that your new mezzanine is fully compliant with all legal requirements.

FIRE PROTECTION

Whether the mezzanine is to enable additional levels for manufacturing or storage or for office accommodation, a principal tenet of the design is to ensure that people on the structure have a safe and readily available means of getting off the floor, to a safe location. The means of escape from the mezzanine in the event of a fire or some other emergency must be considered and the maximum travel distance to a ‘place of safety’ incorporated into the design. Part B of the Building Regulations relate to fire safety and fire protection, warnings and means of escape. Normally this will necessitate installing a fire rated suspended ceiling below the mezzanine, a fascia to all exposed edges and protection to the columns. Offices sited on mezzanine floors require at least half-an-hour fire protection between the offices/warehouses and will usually result in extending the perimeter partitions to the roof with light fittings being equipped with fireboxes.

ENSURING YOUR APPLICATION RUNS SMOOTHLY

Step 1
An order acknowledgement will be sent to you from Spaceway

Step 2
Structural survey. Please ensure that we are aware of where columns and stairways can be stored so that they do not obstruct any existing fixtures such as doors or windows and any new machinery you are installing.

Step 3
To ensure that we can prepare detailed CAD drawings and calculations associated with your mezzanine installation you will be asked to provide:

1. Details of existing floor slabs and foundations. (If necessary we can bore a trial hole at an additional charge).
2. A site plan of the building with existing fire exits, alarm points, smoke detectors, fire exit signs, etc.
3. Details of your local authority
4. A block plan of your building in relation to your neighbours
5. How you propose to use the rooms below the mezzanine
6. Whether your building is freehold or leasehold

Step 4
You will be presented with copies of the structural CAD drawings to approve. These need to be checked and signed off, ensuring that we have accurately interpreted your requirements.

Step 5
On very rare occasions mezzanine floors require planning permission and we will advise you if this is the case. Should you decide to change the building externally, a planning application will need to be made in addition to the normal Building Regulations application. Spaceway can undertake this on your behalf by submitting the drawings, calculations and other relevant information to an Approved Inspector. Any required changes can then be made whilst at planning stage.

It is important to note that work being undertaken by other contractors might also be subject to the Buildings Regulations. Spaceway will be happy to consolidate all work in a single application including electrical work; plumbing and heating; fire alarms; air conditioning and building work.

In the event that your landlord has to agree installation of the mezzanine, Spaceway will be please to provide them with copies of drawings, calculations, etc.

Step 6
When approvals have been received we will agree the installation time schedule with you and notify the local authority, as the Approved Inspector will inspect the work once it has been started, during the installation period and on completion.

Step 7
The mezzanine is released for manufacture. Please note that any changes at this stage are costly and time consuming and could have a detrimental affect on the project.

Step 8
From the start of the installation process the construction area must remain clear as we will be installing heavy steelwork and may be using heavy-duty equipment such as forklift trucks and scissor-lifts. Health & Safety regulations mean that your employees are not permitted on site until the installation is completed.

Other Matters To Note

As soon as the Building Regulation application has been submitted we are able to proceed with manufacturing the mezzanine floor without waiting for final approval. However, should any changes be required and additional costs are incurred, these costs will be past on to you.

Regulations dictate that all office environments, regardless of location must be equipped with heating, emergency lighting and fresh air ventilation. In addition Local Authority Building Controls may insist on smoke detectors and fire extinguishers or sprinklers, fire alarms and air conditioning.

To find out more, view Customer briefing no 3 in virtual library and FLOORITALL(™) Mezzanine Floors flyer.

For further information go to suppliers links page or view case studies in the Virtual Library.

Marathon
“Following the installation of our mezzanine floor I would like to thank you for all the hard work during and leading up to the work being carried out. Every member of staff was polite and made every effort to make the transformation run as smoothly as possible. I would be more than happy to recommend your services to any prospective clients.”
Ian Hearn – Marathon, the archiving specialists