A Guide to Mezzanine Floors

Shortage of storage space in a warehouse is a common issue faced by any business in its growth stage. If that is the case, installation of a mezzanine floor can increase the space in a hassle-free manner.  Apart from warehouses, other areas of business can also benefit from the addition of a mezzanine floor system. There are several benefits of their use. However, a proper understanding of the mezzanine floor system is essential.

Mezzanine Floor

# The Advantages of Mezzanine Floors

Effective mezzanine floors can provide several benefits, some of which are discussed as follows.

• Extra Space: One of the primary benefits of these floors is that they provide an extra level for storage. The floor below can be freed from clutter and utilized for other purposes or storage as well. A mezzanine floor system can be used for storing all kinds of items on shelves and boxes like any other space.
• Portability: Another interesting feature of mezzanine floors is that they are not permanent in nature. Since they are not created with concrete, it is possible to dismantle them whenever required. Once dismantled, they can be moved to a different location for installation. As free standing structures, they can be installed at a wide range of locations easily.
• Easy Installation: The ease of installing mezzanine floors is one of its biggest benefits. The construction process is simple and complex materials such as concrete are not used. There is no need to break or modify existing areas as well. As such, mezzanine floors can be installed in a short period of time with comparatively little effort.
• Customization: You can easily customize the mezzanine floors as per your requirements. For example, you can choose rack-supported mezzanine floors instead of the traditional columns to enhance storage space. You do have the ability to choose from the plethora of designs available so as to overcome the unique challenges at your warehouse easily. There are also a huge variety of materials to make a choice. Instead of a single level, you can also opt for multiple levels. For example, large warehouses often have 3-tier mezzanine floor systems for utilizing available space more efficiently.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Opting for a mezzanine floor will certainly be cost-effective compared to building or renting a new warehouse. Because of its functionality, you will find these floor systems to be cheaper than adding a concrete floor as well.

Mezzanine Floors

# Points to Remember During Installation

For an effective mezzanine floors installation, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Here are some of them.

Building Regulations: A mezzanine floor must be installed in compliance with the relevant building regulations as applicable in your locality. Typically, you should ask a building inspector to visit your premises and inspect the area. This way, your application for building a mezzanine floor is more likely to be accepted. After construction, the inspector will visit again to ensure if it is complies to the building regulations.

Fire Safety: In many cases, your mezzanine floors must follow all fire safety guidelines. If required, the building inspector will visit the area with a fire safety officer for examination of the area. You can find out the necessary guidelines that you must follow. Getting your mezzanine floors approved in terms of fire safety is essential for keeping your employees safe. Some elements that you can install for fire safety are as follows.

• Fire walls
• Sprinkler systems
• Suspended ceilings
• Smoke detection systems
• Exit staircases

The Weight Factor: Knowing the maximum weight that a mezzanine floor can support is essential for safety purposes. A sturdy mezzanine floor that can handle tons of weight such as heavy machinery. Talk to your contractor about your requirement to get a floor system capable of handling the weight you require.

For getting access to sturdy mezzanine floors, you should work with a professional contractor. Make sure that the firm you hire is an experienced one.