Mezzanine floors are intermediate floors installed between main floors to maximize unused vertical space. They provide additional floor area above and below without requiring additional columns. There are different types of mezzanine floors based on materials used - rack supported, steel structural, and concrete. National Building Code guidelines state that mezzanine area can be up to 25% of ground floor area and must have minimum height and size requirements. Common applications of mezzanine floors include industrial, warehouse, office, and retail spaces to improve storage capacity and maximize usable floor space.

1. BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION-
IV
Report on
MEZZANINE FLOORS
- SHRUTI GARG
B.Arch. 2A

2. 1. What are mezzanine floors?
● A mezzanine floor is an intermediate floor between main floors
of a building, and therefore typically not counted among the
overall floors of a building.
● Often, a mezzanine is low-ceilinged and projects in the form of a
balcony. Mezzanines are installed to maximise unused vertical
space, providing additional room above and below and can be
built free of existing structures.
●
● Industrial settings are some of the most common places a
mezzanine is built due to their high ceilings and are usually
free-standing, semi-permanent structures.
● Mezzanines are often custom-made, manufactured from
detailed drawings and tailored to the needs and specifications
of a client. Typically, mezzanines are constructed from steel and
can be tailored to suit their settings.

3. Key components of a mezzanine floor :
Primary beams – These are the main support of the mezzanine
which span across the columns.
Purlins or joists – These spans between the primary beams are the
fixing points for the decking.
Columns – They are designed to support the primary beams and the
load bearing is distributed evenly across the columns which uphold
the mezzanine.
Decking – The 38mm particle board is the most commonly fitted
option, however other varieties include OSB, grating, durbar plate,
concrete and composite decking.
Mezzanine Floor Diagram :
The main advantages of mezzanine floors are:
i. They increase the space of the interiors.
ii. They can be installed easily, causing minimal disruption to the
business.

4. iii. The available space is utilized by better organizing, which
improves the business output and performance.
iv. They can be made portable or fixed based on the requirement.
v. They provide excellent fire protection and lighting options.
2. What are the norms in NBC (National Building
Code of India) and Delhi bye laws for mezzanine
construction?
Mezzanine floor shall be permitted only between ground floor
and first floor in all types of buildings.
The mezzo area up to 25% of the actual covered area on the
ground t100r is permissible and shall not be counted toward
FAR calculations.
The height of the Mezzanine floor shall not be less than 2.20 m
and not more than 2.70m.
The minimum size of the mezzanine floor, if it is to be used as a
living room, shall not be less than 9.5 m2.
The aggregate area of such mezzanine floor in a building shall in
no case exceed one-third the plinth area of the building.
A mezzanine floor may be permitted over a room or a
compartment provided:
a)The mezzanine shall have direct light and ventilation to the
extent of 10% of its floor area.

5. b)It conforms to the standard of living rooms as regards lighting
and ventilation in case the size of the mezzanine floor is 9.5 m2
or more.
c)It is so constructed as not to interfere under any circumstances
with the ventilation of the space over and under it.
d)The mezzanine floor is not sub-divided into smaller
compartments.
e)Such mezzanine floor or any part of it shall not be used as a
kitchen.
f) In no case shall a mezzanine floor be closed so as to make it
liable to be converted into unventilated compartments.
3. List down types of mezzanine floors based on
material.
Give their construction detail with appropriate images.
i. Rack Supported Mezzanine Floor
A rack supported mezzanine floor construction happens

6. without structural columns. Shelving systems or pallet racks act
as the support for it.
This kind of mezzanine floor offers dense storage space both on
top and underneath. Hence, it enables you to enhance your space
effectively.
Rack supported mezzanine floor is ideal for small to medium
sized goods. Besides, it is suitable for the storage of a variety of
goods that are accessible manually.
Movement of goods in this type generally happens through
hydraulic lifting, forklifts, or hydraulic pallet trucks.
ii. Steel Structural Mezzanine Floor

7. As the name reveals, a steel structural mezzanine floor is
supported by steel columns. Also known as entresol, these are
high-level platforms, independent of the main building structure.
Shelving acts as a support for the floor system and enhances its
storage capacity.
The base of the floor combines with the shelving to form a
walkway or structural flooring.

8. The steel structural mezzanine floor makes the maximum use of
the height of the premises. It has the capacity to increase the
surface area by threefold.
Hence, it allows itself to be used as an office, storage space,
changing room, etc. This type can bear the weight of heavy
cargo, given the construction is done with I-beams for support.
iii. Concrete Mezzanine Floor
A concrete mezzanine floor is one of the most durable types. Its
design involves a high point load and minimal noise transmission
via the floor. A concrete floor consists of corrugated steel VL
decking.

9. This provides a pour stop to expand the concrete floor up to
6-inch. This mezzanine is usually used in high-capacity industrial
or military applications. All thanks to its durability it is popular as
a permanent floor system.
Types of Mezzanine Decking Material
● When constructing a mezzanine floor, it is crucial to decide
which material will fit your needs.
● The material will have a significant impact on the design
and application of the mezzanine.
● Here are some of the common types which include:

10. i. Steel Decking
Steel decking is one of the most widely used applications for
constructing a mezzanine floor. The material offers resistance to
moisture, improved strength and stiffness. Moreover, it provides
a secure and solid resistance to pedestrian traffic. Its design to
withstand weather elements much more than any other material.
Therefore, looking at its features, steel decking is superior to
ordinary plywood. It is not just stronger but even cheaper than
other mezzanine floors.
ii. Concrete Decking
Concrete, the universal material for construction is a good option
for mezzanine floor construction. The popular material is one of
the most durable and resilient options available. When we talk
about durability it means that the material is difficult to damage.

11. You don’t have to worry even if something heavy is dropped on a
concrete mezzanine. It is able to withstand high pressure from
extremely heavy goods such as forklifts and cars.
iii. Steel Grating or Bar Grating
Steel grating comes with insurance benefits which makes it one
of the preferable options for mezzanine.
Steel grating is excellent in constructing mezzanine floors as it
allows the light, air, heat and other fluids to pass through the
deck surface.
It is strong and durable while being low on maintenance. In
general, there are 2 types of steel grating which include:

12. Press-locked grating – This interlocks perpendicular bars and
provides impressive horizontal support. Besides, it has a clean
and smooth look.
Welded bar grating – This features incredible strength and has a
long life span. Steel grating is a popular choice for use in mining,
food service industries, and waste management.
iv. Diamond Plate
Diamond plate or tread plate is a high-strength metal sheet
typically installed over a steel deck. This is done to ensure great
durability and heavy load capacity.

13. The pattern on a diamond plate may vary between lozenge
shapes, diamond and small individual blocks of raised bars in a
checkerboard arrangement. Diamond plate is ideal for
constructing a mezzanine floor when a slip-resistant and
corrosion-resistant material is your aim. Other primary features
of diamond plate include protection from damage and attractive
finishes.
Construction Details:
● A Mezzanine floor is either bolted directly and connected to
the existing portal frame of the building or is free standing
(conventional mezzanine) and can be dismantled at a later
date and rebuilt if required.
●
● The Mezzanine areas (usually single or two tiered) are
completed with a balustrade for public access areas (shops

14. and retail outlets) or are fitted with a conventional twin
railed handrail system for storage mezzanines.
● Mezzanine floors are generally manufactured from universal
beams (main beams) and are connected within the webs of
the beams by galvanized C-Section joists.
● The joists are bolted to the main beams by galvanized angle
brackets called cleats. The secondary beams (joists or
purlins) are set at 400mm – 700mm centres dependent on

15. the loading requirements.
● The mezzanine structure is supported at the correct design
height by supporting columns. The support columns are

16. generally box sections RHS with square base plates
(200-700mm depending on load and floor slab) and top cap
plates welded to them.
● Base plates are bolted to the concrete building slab with
two through bolts per column and top cap plates are bolted
to the universal columns with 4 bolts.
● Strut or cross braces are used for stability / sway for smaller
floor areas. Decking, usually 38mm high density floor grade
chipboard boards, are screw fixed to the joists with
self-drilling screws generally 16 per board.
● Handrail is installed for edge protection to all exposed faces
of the mezzanines structure as safety edge protection.
Staircase combinations with mid or top landings complete

17. the mezzanine floor and provide access to the mezzanines
tiers.
4. Give examples to show the use or application
of mezzanine floors with images
Common Uses of Mezzanine Floor:
Mostly, businesses construct mezzanine floors when they require
space for storage, packing and sorting. That being said, many use
mezzanine for an office.
In general, the application of mezzanine is categorised as follows:
1. Industrial Mezzanine Floor
When manufacturers require additional space in their production
environment, they construct mezzanine floors. This type of
application is known as industrial mezzanine floor. The option
has the potential to create a versatile space in industries.

18. 2. Warehouse Mezzanine Floor
Of course, when we talk about a warehouse mezzanine floor
construction, it is about storing goods. Facilities often go short of
storage space, especially when racking systems do not suit their
area. This is when warehouse mezzanine comes into the picture.
It offers complete flexibility for any type of storage allowing
combinations of shelving, block stacking and long span.
To ensure safe movement of items between the two levels,
incorporating pallet gates is wise. This also takes care of
operators working on a high level, preventing any accidents. In
addition, the installation of conveyor systems is a good option.
This is beneficial for businesses that need to move box-packed
goods or cartons constantly.
3. Office Mezzanine Floor
Mezzanine floor construction could be the perfect choice for a
business that requires an additional office space. This

19. requirement is usually seen in industrial facilities and car
showrooms.
Office mezzanine floor can significantly minimise the floor space
needed for an office. And at the same time, it can maximise the
production area or offer a secure storage facility.
Furthermore, mezzanine floors can be a good option for use as
meeting rooms, modern office, and board rooms. Its presence can
enhance further when a glass partitioning is applied.
4. Retail Mezzanine Floor
Modern retail buildings often customise mezzanine as an integral
part of their design process. There are endless design
possibilities with it.

20. The mezzanine floor construction is popular in retail outlets,
especially those inside retail parks. Retailers that add mezzanine
floors see a dramatic increase in the square meter of retail space.
It increases the shelf space and eventually the profits. Apart from
that, you can dismantle mezzanine and move it to a new location
– adding more benefits.