A mezzanine floor provides additional usable space within an existing building and must be adequately protected against fire to ensure safety for occupants and compliance with UK legislation. Fire can spread through unprotected steelwork, stored goods, and open-plan environments, increasing the risk to staff and visitors. Facility managers and business owners have a legal duty to maintain structures in accordance with national fire safety requirements.
The most direct answer to how to make a mezzanine safe is to install appropriate fire-rated protection. This includes structural fireproofing, fire-rated ceilings, fire-resistant partitions and compliant access arrangements designed to restrict fire spread and maintain safe evacuation times.
This guide explains the regulatory context, the primary fire risks associated with mezzanine flooring and the fire protection measures required to support safe operation and building control compliance.
UK Fire Safety Regulations That Govern Mezzanine Floors
Fire protection for mezzanine floors must follow UK workplace fire safety law. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or facilities manager is the responsible person for non-domestic premises [1].
This person must:
- Complete and review a fire risk assessment
- Maintain suitable fire safety measures
- Plan for emergencies wherever mezzanine flooring is used
Mezzanine projects must also comply with building regulations, and failure to meet fire safety duties can lead to enforcement action, fines or prosecution. Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety) provides detailed guidance on how buildings should be designed and constructed to reduce the risk of fire [2].
For non-domestic premises, it covers:
- Means of warning and escape
- Fire resistance of structural elements
- Internal and external fire spread
- Access for the fire and rescue service
For a mezzanine floor, Approved Document B is used by designers and building control officers to determine the required fire resistance, the number and position of escape routes and any compartmentation needed. A suitable fire risk assessment should identify how many people will use the mezzanine, what materials are stored or handled there and how fire and smoke could move through the building.
Common Fire Risks Associated with Mezzanine Floors
According to the accredited Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics for the year ending June 2025, fire and rescue services in England attended 165,697 fires, an increase of 28% compared with the previous year [3]. Of these, 39,896 were building fires, accounting for 6.3% of all incidents and 24% of all fires. These figures show that fire in buildings remains a significant and measurable risk.
Many of these building fires occur in workplaces such as warehouses, factories, and other commercial premises, where mezzanine floors are often used for storage, production, or office space. In the same period, there were 279 fire-related fatalities and 6,650 non-fatal casualties, underscoring the need for clear fire risk management around mezzanine floors, including the control of stored goods, machinery, and access routes.
Key risk factors for mezzanine floors include:
- Unprotected steelwork that may lose strength when exposed to high temperatures
- Inadequate or obstructed escape routes serving the mezzanine level
- Open layouts that allow heat and smoke to rise quickly through the building
These factors influence the level of fire-rated protection required and inform the selection of suitable passive and active fire safety measures.
Fire-Resistant Materials To Protect Mezzanine Floors
Fire-resistant materials form the foundation of safe mezzanine construction. The required level of protection is determined by the fire risk assessment and the guidance set out in Approved Document B. Structural protection often begins with intumescent coatings applied to steel beams and columns. These coatings expand when heated and help maintain the mezzanine’s structural integrity during a fire.
Fire-rated plasterboard encasement may also be used when a specified fire-resistance period is required. In many workplaces, a fire-rated ceiling system installed beneath the mezzanine helps protect the floor decking and restrict the movement of heat and smoke. No construction material provides complete fire immunity, but these systems are tested to deliver specified fire-resistance periods that support compliance with Building Regulations.
Key components of mezzanine fireproofing may include:
- Intumescent coatings applied to structural steel
- Fire-rated ceilings beneath the mezzanine floor
- Plasterboard encasement to achieve defined fire resistance ratings
Using Fire-Rated Partitions to Contain Fire and Smoke
Fire-rated partitions help limit the movement of heat and smoke within a building. They play a central role in protecting staircases, escape routes and high-risk zones around the mezzanine. Partitions may be specified to provide 30, 60 or 90 minutes of fire resistance, depending on occupancy, building layout and the findings of the fire risk assessment.
Compartmentation is particularly valuable where storage, production, or office activities take place on both levels of the building. By dividing high-risk spaces from escape routes, compartmentation helps maintain visibility and supports safe movement during an emergency. It also assists with smoke control by reducing the space through which smoke can spread.
Further information on mezzanine design and installation considerations is available at mezzanine floor services.
Professional Mezzanine Fire Protection from First Floors
Effective fire protection for mezzanine flooring depends on correct design and installation. Measures must meet UK performance standards, align with the building fire strategy and be documented for building control and insurers. Always consult with a specialist team when selecting suitable fire-resistant materials, designs, and escape routes when coordinating structural protection with active fire safety systems.
First Floors is a mezzanine floor specialist providing design, manufacture and installation of compliant mezzanine structures. Our team can advise you on structural fireproofing, fire-rated ceilings, partitions and access arrangements, supported by drawings and installation records for regulatory review.
Call 01789 764172 or schedule a consultation to discuss fire protection for your new or existing mezzanine floor today.
External Sources
[1] GOV.UK, Legislation, “Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005”: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents
[2] GOV.UK, “Building Regulations Approved Document B (Fire Safety)”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b
[3] GOV.UK, “Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics” : http://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-june-2025/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-june-2025