Here are some items your mezzanines should have to be fully compliant with safety regulations—and the potential risks involved if they're not installed:
I. Kickboards
Also known as "kickplates," kickboards are to mezzanines what railings are to stairs. They serve as an extra safety precaution—particularly for the people walking under the mezzanine—to prevent stray objects and debris from falling off the edge. They also add an extra layer of stability to the handrails, further ensuring the safety of the people walking on the mezzanine itself.
Kickboards are installed on all outside edges of the floor, under the handrails. And in the context of installation, mezzanine kickboards are actually relatively inexpensive and can be installed quickly.
Potential risks with the lack of kickboards include dropping objects on customer or employees.
II. Handrails
The type of handrail you install depends on the kind of project it'll be used in.
Different handrails have different characteristics, and they have to be installed following a specific code. For instance, barriers that are going to be installed in an area accessible to your customers need to be installed following the AS1428 code.
Unfortunately, at Queensland Mezzanine's, we're often called in to address mezzanine safety features that were not installed to code during the initial construction. Not only is this a waste of time, energy, and resources (that could have definitely been saved had the original company taken the time to follow guidelines), but it's also a huge safety risk.
It's imperative that handrails are installed all along the outside edges of any mezzanine floor to ensure the utmost protection for both the people on the mezzanine and the people below. Without handrails, people, objects, and stray detritus could fall off the edge of the mezzanine.
III. Stairs
Stairs also play a massive role in ensuring the safety of any mezzanine. Just like handrails, stairs also have a specific configuration (and installation) depending on how you plan to use the mezzanine. For instance, the guidelines for installing residential stairs are drastically different from the guidelines for commercial stairs, and commercial stairs for a restaurant follow a completely different configuration than the ones for stairs installed in a factory.
An experienced and professional mezzanine company will never offer you a project that doesn't follow the standard regulations and configurations according to the Mezzanine Floor Australian Standards.
IV. Anti-Slip Nosings:
Stair nosing refers to the horizontal, protruding edge of a stair. It is where most foot traffic frequently occurs. They are also another element of mezzanine safety that is commonly overlooked—and unrightfully so, seeing as anti-slip stair nosings are part of the AS1428.4 code meant to help visually impaired users.
Anti-slip stair nosings can be economical, easy to install, and can actually up the visual impact of a staircase or stairwell. Without them, users are at risk of tripping or slipping down the stairs.
There you have it; four standard mezzanine safety features that are often either improperly installed or neglected altogether. We, as a company, make it a point to educate consumers on optimal safety guidelines while ensuring everything we do is up to standard. All our projects are carefully planned and executed within the context of safety and customer satisfaction. We take into consideration what our clients want and integrate up-to-date technologies and current Mezzanine Floor Australian standards into our approach to yield safe, high-quality results.
If you have concerns regarding your mezzanine's compliance and safety aspects, please feel free to reach out to us.
