Mezzanine fire protection
Mezzanine fire protection slows the spread of fire and protects the steel so people have time to escape. It usually means a fire-rated ceiling under the deck, fire-resisting casings on the columns, a fire-rated fascia at the edges and, depending on the design, smoke detection, alarms or sprinklers, as required by Building Control.
How we approach mezzanine fire protection
Whether a mezzanine needs fire protection depends on its size, how it is used and how far people are from an escape route. Office and public mezzanines nearly always need it. For storage, many approvers use rules of thumb such as the mezzanine covering more than half of the room, or exceeding around 400 m², as points where protection or extra escape measures are expected, but Building Control decides on each design.
Standard systems give 30 or 60 minutes of fire resistance. The ceiling is a tested fire-rated system fixed to the underside of the joists, columns are encased in fire board, and the edge gets a fire-rated fascia so the structure is protected all round.
We can also upgrade existing mezzanines that were built without protection, for example when a storage floor is turned into offices or when an insurer asks for it.
What the job includes
- 30 and 60-minute tested fire-rated ceilings
- Column casings in fire-resisting board
- Fire-rated fascias and edge protection
- Smoke detection and alarm coordination
- Escape route and travel distance design
- Upgrades to existing unprotected mezzanines
Best for: Office and retail mezzanines, larger storage floors and change-of-use upgrades.
Related guide: Does a mezzanine floor need fire protection?
What happens after you get in touch
Send the details
Floor size, clear height, postcode and what will go on the mezzanine, through the form, the guide-price tool, phone or WhatsApp.
Free survey
We measure the building, check the slab, doors, racking, lights and sprinklers, and agree the load and layout.
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and a written price naming the deck, stairs, gates and fire protection.
Approve, install, sign off
Building Control approval, steel fabrication, installation around your operation, then the completion certificate.
Questions people ask
Does every mezzanine need fire protection?
No. Small storage mezzanines with short escape distances often do not. Offices, public areas and larger floors usually do. Building Control decides for each design.
What does mezzanine fire protection involve?
Normally a fire-rated ceiling under the deck, encased columns and a fire-rated fascia, plus detection or alarms as required.
Can fire protection be added to an existing mezzanine?
Yes. We survey the existing floor and fit a tested system, which is common when a storage mezzanine becomes offices.
Where we provide mezzanine fire protection
We provide mezzanine fire protection across England, Scotland and Wales from our base in Birmingham. See the areas we cover or send your postcode with the form.