ABSTRACT

This chapter explains the principles and practice of the construction of upper floors. It provides information on the functional requirements of upper floors and the minimum requirements set out in the Building Regulations. The chapter provides a brief overview of the historic development of upper floors focusing on traditional ‘cut’ joists and considers modern upper floors such as the use of I-joists, metal web joists and pre-cast concrete. The primary function of an upper floor is to allow the normal range of household activities to take place safely, comfortably and effectively. The purpose of fire protection is not to render a floor non-combustible, but to ensure that it will resist collapse for a sufficient period of time to allow evacuation of the building. Sound insulation is only required to the floors of certain rooms it makes sense to apply the requirements to the whole of the floor.