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Mezzanine Floors FAQs
When you need more space and compare the costs of installing a Mezzanine Floor with the various costs associated when moving to larger premises or a bigger unit, then a mezzanine floor will pay for itself in a very short time. Installing a mezzanine floor will quickly give you the extra space you need with the minimum of disruption and impact on your business. You may need to inform your Landlord of the proposed changes, to make sure you comply with the terms and conditions of your lease. A free-standing mezzanine floor which is not attached to the building structure, will mean that the floor may not normally be subject to any additional rent or rates. First Floors can assist you with any Building and Fire Safety Regulations.
We have compiled a set of typical questions asked by our customers when purchasing a Mezzanine floor which cover the following areas:
- Site Surveys and Building Regulations
- Rates and Local Authorities.
- Dealing with your Landlords
- Fire Regulations
- Disabled Access
- Pricing and any other extra costs.
- Mezzanine Specifications & Design ( Columns & Loading )
- Preparation
- Impact on your Business
- Timescales & Installation
Q. Is a site survey required ?
A. A site survey is always recommended as it allows a member of our team to discuss in more detail requirements such as staircases, walkways, protected escape routes, loading requirements, reducing the number of columns under your new mezzanine floors. This will allow us to produce the most efficient design and allows us to offer you the best possible price.
Q. Will the mezzanine floor require building regulation approval ?
A. Yes. Building Regulations is required for almost all mezzanine floor installations. First Floors will provide calculations , design and drawings to help support your application. We will submit these on your behalf.
Q. Will First Floors (UK) take responsibility for obtaining Building Regulations ?
A. We will be happy to make an application on your behalf. We do not charge for the preparation of drawings and calculations necessary, providing the installation takes place . All we pass on is the statutory fees charged by the Local Authority or Approved Building Inspector.
Q. Can I obtain approval before I commit to placing a mezzanine order with First Floors UK.
A. Yes this is possible, but we will require a purchase order for the initial survey, loading calculations and any design and drawings which are needed to submit to the Local Authority. As stated above we do not charge for gaining Building Regulations approval, providing the installation takes place. If the installation does not go ahead we would have to charge a nominal fee to cover our costs. This fee, however, would be reimbursed should the installation take place in the future.
Q. Can I install the mezzanine floor before I have obtained Building Regulations approval.
A. Yes, we can commence with your mezzanine project, within 48 hours of submitting the application for Building Regulations to the Local Authority.
Q. Who makes sure that the mezzanine floor design, manufacture and installation is fully compliant with all Building Regulations and Fire Safety standards ?
A. First Floors UK will take responsibility for this.
Q. Do I need Planning Permission when installing a new mezzanine floor.
A. In almost all cases you will not need Planning Permission, if it is a fully demountable structure and the changes are internal. You do however require Building Regulations Approval.
Q. What are the size restrictions doe a mezzanine flooring.
A. Building Regulations do not limit the size ,shape or height of the new mezzanine floor. The Government, has however been trying to control the expansion of retail space in out-of-town developments and has brought in legislation which requires planning permission for floors greater than 200 sq.m. You can however add multiple floors less than 200 sq.m without requiring planning permission
Q. How will a new mezzanine floor affect my business rates ?
A. When a mezzanine floor is used for storage purposes only then it does not normally attract increased rate. If the new floor is used for office accommodation it sometimes will.
Q. Will the mezzanine floor need to be fire rated and protected ?
A. The issue of fire protection under mezzanine floors is covered under part B of the Building Regulations, and unprotected mezzanine floors are allowed on the following basis
If the mezzanine floor is single tier and used for storage purposes only.
The number of persons likely to be on the floor is low and does not include members of the public.
The floor does not exceed 20m in length or width and does not exceed 50% of the floor area of the space in which it is situated.
The floor has adequate means of escape.
Please note that the Building Regulations are purely guidelines and allow for individual interpretation, which could vary the above conditions. For instance should your building have an existing sprinkler system, which was extended to cover the underside of the new mezzanine, then the mezzanine may not have to be fire rated.
Q. When do I need to have a protected escape route ?
A. A protected route will be required if offices or a production floor is resident on the new mezzanine structure, dependent upon the size and the number of existing fire exits. Fire rated partitioning and fire rated doors can be installed around one of the staircases to form a lobby, back to an existing external fire exit door, in order to achieve a protected escape route.
Q. Do I need to obtain my landlords permission ?
A. In most cases you will need to inform your Landlord of the proposed changes, to make sure you comply with the terms and conditions of your lease, if this is a condition. It is a good idea to share the mezzanine flooring designs drawings with them, and inform them of Building Regulation approval. The simplest thing to do is to send a copy of all correspondence to your Local Authority/Approved Building Inspector, also to your Landlord.
Q. What will be the disruption and impact on my business during the mezzanine floor installation ?
A. The area where the mezzanine floor is to be situated, will need to be cordoned off whilst installation is taking place for obvious health and safety reasons. The area will need to be as clear as possible, and provide our installation team with unrestricted access to the area, with utilities and services available (electricity and lighting ), so that your mezzanine floor can be installed safely. We will create a new business environment with a minimum of fuss and disruption, without interrupting your workflow.
Q. Can I make changes to the original mezzanine floor design ?
A. You can make changes within 2 weeks or agreeing the original mezzanine design. Any changes after that time-frame may result in a delay and additional costs.
Q. What additional costs could be involved ?
A. You need to consider fire protection, emergency lighting, smoke and fire alarms and relevant safety signage.
Q. How long does it take to install a mezzanine floor ?
A. Based on a clear site, our mezzanine installation team can fit unto 70 square metres per day.
Q. How long is the complete process take - from order to completion?
A. Typically 2-3 weeks from order to commencement of the installation of the mezzanine floor. The length of time required for installation is dependent on size, use and finish.
Q. Can we put machinery and have people working on the mezzanine ?
A. Yes, we will ensure that the mezzanine structure is adequate to meet your requirements and will perform all the loading calculations using British Standard loading tables.
Q. What can a mezzanine floor be used for ?
A. Typically mezzanine floors are used to provide extra storage, office space, production areas, workrooms, canteens, etc., but can be used for anything that requires additional space.
Q. Will the Mezzanine Floor require disabled access?
A. The issue of disabled access is covered in the Building Regulations part M. Mezzanines normally used for storage purposes will not normally require disabled access. Mezzanine for other uses such as offices, production areas, canteens, etc. may require disabled access subject to the layout of your building or Local Authority/Approved Inspector requirements.
Staircases suitable for disabled access have to comply with Building regulations part M, typically they have to be 1200mm wide, 170mm maximum rise, and have to have a mid landing every 12 steps (16 no. in small premises).
Our Sales Engineers would be happy to advise you of possible requirements.
Q. How many tiers of Mezzanine Flooring can I have ?
A. It is possible to have multiple tiers of Mezzanine Flooring, dependent upon the available height in your building.
Q. I want to maximise the space available beneath my Mezzanine floor - How can I achieve this ?
A. We will aim to design a new Mezzanine floor with the minimum number of columns. However a typical economical grid for a mezzanine floor is approximately 4.5m x 4.5 m.
Q. How can I be sure that Health & Safety standards are being adhered to during the installation.
A. All our Operatives are fully trained, skilled and have the necessary licences and are insured to use any equipment needed for the installation. They are monitored and audited by our appointed Health and Safety Team.