Permission for a Mezzanine Floor
A Mezzanine floor is an inexpensive answer to adding space in your shed or warehouse but what do you need to do for permission for a mezzanine floor?
The first question to answer is do you need planning permission to add a mezzanine floor? Another important question is what are the Australian Standards that must be met in installing a mezzanine floor?
Disclaimer. – You will find general information in this article about installing a Mezzanine Level in Australia. This is intended as a guide for you. It is the owner’s responsibility to find out exactly what is required in your council area.
Do I need permission to install a mezzanine floor?
A council that makes the decision that the mezzanine is only a minor internal work is likely to decide that no planning permission or building permit is necessary. However, any mezzanine you install will have to comply with all relevant Australian Standards. More about Australian Standards for a mezzanine can be found below.
First consideration
Any mezzanine floor must comply with the relevant Australian Standards concerning building regulations. The first rule is that a mezzanine floor can be built in any space where the roof or ceiling is at least 4.4 metres high. The mezzanine floor must have at least a 2.1-metre clearance from the floor it sits on. These dimensions are the minimum requirements but depending on the specific installation site, these dimensions may vary.
Planning Permission – Mezzanine Floor Kit
A mezzanine floor does need planning permission from your local council. The mezzanine floor must conform to all Australian Standards, certified by a qualified engineer. This is easy to achieve if you buy a fully certified and engineer-designed mezzanine floor kit through Professional Choice Sheds. The mezzanine floor kit will be designed to your exact dimensions with high-tensile Australian steel and be supplied with all the necessary certifications. The Australian Standards for a mezzanine floor installation are many and can be complicated but the vast majority of these are covered in the design and engineering plans of the mezzanine floor kit.
Other factors for Planning Permission
A professionally designed and supplied mezzanine floor kit cannot take into account all factors for planning permission. Remember your mezzanine floor is technically a ‘new building’. There are many Standards that must have compliance which are ‘on-site’ features that you may need to address yourself. These include issues like ventilation, acoustics, fire safety, and lighting to mention some of the most important factors.
Mezzanine floor – Load bearing
The weight-bearing capacity of your mezzanine will be determined by your anticipated use. The capacity can be ‘light’, ‘medium’ or heavy. Most mezzanine floors should be able to support 3kpA but you may want something stronger. Professional Choice Sheds engineers will calculate it all, according to your needs.
Mezzanine Floor Australian Standards
Australian law states you must comply with Australian Standards. You should never break the law by not complying with these Standards as you will be liable for any accident that may happen around the mezzanine. Penalties can include imprisonment at worst or an order to take down the mezzanine at best. It makes sense to ensure that everyone is working in a safe environment.
Australian Standards Applying to a mezzanine floor.
Australian Standards must be taken into consideration. Six of these will apply to the actual engineered structure. The mezzanine must be designed to carry loadings in accordance with the principles of structural mechanics as outlined in the National Codes. These are: –
· AS/NZS 1170.0,
· AS/NZS 1170.1,
· AS/NZS 1170.3,
· AS 1170.4,
· AS 4100,
· AS/NZS 4600
Others concerning access and mobility, walkways, stairways and ladders, and fire compliance may include: –
- AS1657
- AS1428
- Fire compliance
Fire compliance is a consideration for all projects. All buildings are different, and you should have your building checked out by a local fire engineer. Smaller buildings up to 2000m2 do not usually need to be too concerned about fire resistance levels.
Summary – Permission for a Mezzanine Floor
This may all sound very daunting, but, particularly with smaller mezzanines, it’s a very quick and straightforward process to get the necessary permission to install your mezzanine. Businesses like Professional Choice Sheds design and certify larger structures, covering most concerns for you.The most important point here is to check with your local council before proceeding.