Tuesday, March 08, 2011
When you say the word “mezzanine” and you could be conjuring up ideas and images ranging from those who sit in the “mezzanine section” (forward balcony) of their local theater, to fans enjoying the sounds of the British rock group “Mezzanine,” or more in our realm, those looking to add additional storage space in our facility. Mezzanines became very popular in the mid 1940’s as the manufacturing was ramping up after the war. These steel structures were typically a “partial story between two main stories of a building.” In other words, they were erected above the main floor and below the roof of existing buildings in order to store goods. Today, mezzanines are used primarily for storage, but continue to pick up pace as “work platforms” in plants. When considering adding a second floor to your facility, proper planning up front regarding you current and future needs will result in the right solution, and the right price. Below are some items you should familiarize yourself with.
Design
• Span: Is column placement important? Twenty feet is a good rule of thumb. • Deflection: Also known as the horizontal sway or vertical “bounce” of the mezzanine- this is important to understand when shopping. • Flexibility: Do you require a standard design or custom? Free Standing or Rack/shelf supported? • Seismic: Are you in a seismic zone? Most mezzanine applications are non-seismic but your provider can indicate if you are in an area that requires a seismic mezzanine. Codes Permits and Certification Application Accessories Installation These are items that will need to be discussed with your mezzanine provider prior to purchase. If shopping around for a suitable manufacturer/dealer, make sure you understand the differences between the choices mentioned above.
Please feel free to contact us if you have a specific question about a mezzanine to make your work space work harder for you. We’re happy to help to make your project a great success.
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