When considering adding a mezzanine floor to your building, it’s important to also bear in mind the fire ratings needed in order to both protect you and your employees and comply with health and safety regulations. Read on to discover when you need to consider the fire rating of your mezzanine flooring.
If you use your mezzanine floor for storage purposes only, you do not always need additional fire protection. However, if the mezzanine floor is considered an additional storey to the building, you will need to add further safety measures in the form of at least a 60-minute fire protection to its underside to ensure it is legal.
Your mezzanine floor will need to be fire rated when:
- It is used for any purpose other than storage and where people are permanently employed e.g. it is used as additional workspace
- The mezzanine floor measures more than 20 metres in any direction
- It takes up 50% or more of the floor space in the area in which it is located
- The total size of the mezzanine exceeds 400 sqm
Methods of fire protection
Column casings fully enclose the structural columns that hold up the mezzanine floor to help protect them from damage from both fire and heavy impact.
Suspended ceilings come in a range of styles and finishes and include the all-important 1-hour fire ratings to ensure you comply with all health and safety regulations. Not only do suspended ceilings protect the mezzanine floor from fire, but they also improve the energy efficiency of the building and hide unsightly wiring.
Bulkhead and fascia’s fill in the gap between the ceiling and the underside of the decking on all exposed sides of the mezzanine flooring to improve fire safety.
Cavity barriers are fire-resistant materials installed within the gap between the suspended ceilings and the mezzanine floor to give additional protection. Cavity barriers can also be added to corridors and stairwells.
As experts in mezzanine flooring installation, First Floors will give you professional advice on all necessary fire protections to ensure compliance with the law and to protect your staff. To learn more about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today on 01789 764172.