Mezzanine floors have a set of building codes and requirements that have to be followed. 

Usually, each state has its own set of specifications as well as codes from the OSHA and IBC.

Now, let’s take a look at what these acronyms mean. Then, we’ll expand on mezzanine code requirements.

What is IBC?

The International Building Code (IBC) “is an essential tool to public health and safety that provides safeguards from hazards associated with the built environment”. 

The IBC gets updated every three years, and the current version is the 2021 edition. As of now, this code is in use all over the United States.

Mezzanine Stair Requirements To Be IBC-Compliant

First of all, you need to understand if mezzanine code requirements apply.

• Do you need a mezzanine strictly for equipment and mechanical systems? Then you probably need to follow the OSHA catwalk requirements. Are you building your mezzanine for a different purpose? Then you’ll need IBC-compliant industrial stairs.
• IBC requires one means of egress when mezzanine floor areas serve less than 49 occupants. Larger mezzanines require two or more exit stairways. Note that IBC does not allow ships ladders and permanent ladders as a means of egress.
• A mezzanine in compliance with Section 505.2 of IBC has to be considered a portion of the story it serves below.

What is OSHA?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency that sets and enforces standards to ensure safe working conditions and protect the health and safety of employees.

Some of OSHA’s responsibilities include examining workplace conditions to make sure they follow OSHA standards and offering education, training, and assistance for workers to use and maintain equipment safely.

OSHA Regulations Concerning Mezzanine Fall Protection

Yes, mezzanines are highly useful areas, but they also represent a dangerous fall hazard. 

OSHA regulations are in place precisely for this reason. Let’s take a look at some of them. 

• Facility managers are responsible for inspecting and maintaining fall protection systems, including mezzanine guardrails, gates, safety nets, self-retracting lifelines, and more.
• A guardrail safety system’s top edge must be 42(±)3 inches above the walking level. The guardrail must withstand up to 200 lbs of force in any outward or downward direction to be OSHA-compliant.
• Fall protection equipment must be installed. For this purpose, it’s common to use toeboards with a vertical height of at least 3.5 inches. 
• All openings/holes in the working/walking area must be surrounded by guardrails or covered with a securely fixed solution capable of withstanding twice as much force as it’s predicted to receive.
• Your workforce must be provided with OSHA-regulated training programs.
• Facility managers need to ensure sufficient lightning, frequent cleaning, regular inspections, and non-slip flooring.

Do I need permission to build a mezzanine? 

Technically, you don’t need any planning permissions or documentation.

However, as briefly mentioned above, some general, local rules can be city-, county-, or state-specific and need to be considered for the construction of mezzanines. 

• The total area of a mezzanine within a room cannot be greater than 1/3 of the room where it’s located. Work platforms and mezzanines need to have a minimum height which is 14.7 feet between the ground floor and the ceiling. In other words, the clear height above and below a mezzanine cannot be less than 7 feet.
• The maximum travel distance to one exit cannot exceed 150 feet in buildings not sprinklered or 200 feet in buildings protected by a sprinkler system.
• The mezzanine shall be open to the room where it’s located.
• The mezzanine design must meet all building code requirements. This is paramount for West Coast States that have Seismic Zone requirements, including Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, and Nevada.
• As a precaution, engage the local fire department early on to avoid unwanted surprises at a later time. Once you agree on a design with a contractor, you’ll have confidence that things aren’t going to change.
• You need to provide clearance underneath your mezzanine floor if you utilize the working space below.

Conclusion

It’s paramount to follow the local and federal codes to have a mezzanine in compliance with the standards in place and to ensure the safety of your workforce.

Mezzanine Distributors can help you design and manufacture mezzanines and industrial stairs to meet all the necessary standards, including IBC and OSHA’s. We look forward to helping!