Redifloor - Mezzanine Floors

Mezzanine Floor Definition

paul — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:33:58 +0000

According to Wikipedia the definition of a mezzanine floor is: In industrial applications, mezzanine floor systems are semi-permanent floor systems typically installed within buildings, built between two permanent original stories. These structures are usually free standing and in most cases can be dismantled and relocated.

Semi Permanent?

This definition is useful because it expands the functionality of the mezzanine floor by adding the “semi-permanent” attribute: Which of course they are because they can be dismantled and relocated.

Free Standing?

Yes, Mezzanine floors are free standing, meaning they aren’t rateable. This means you can potentially double (maybe treble) the working area of your warehouse without increasing the rateable value of your building.

Seasons Greetings

Rob — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:31:19 +0000

Just a quick note from all of us here at Redifloor to wish all of our current and prospective customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

We are now closed for business until the 3rd of January. But, we’re already looking forward to making 2012 a successful and productive year, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for any mezzanines, mezzanine accessories, cantilever racking and/or any unique access requirements you may have.

We’re also hoping to put a lot more content onto the blog and our twitter feed (@redifloor), so please stay tuned for updates.

Rob

Floor Loadings

paul — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:20:53 +0000

The intended use of the mezzanine floor dictates the loading requirement. In practice it is usually based on a minimum of 70 lbs per ft² for general office space, 100 lbs per ft² for light to medium storage, and 150 lbs per ft² for heavy duty storage or wheeled traffic. However, if required, floors can be provided that will accommodate much higher loadings.

The clear span between the legs directly impacts the cost of the mezzanine and their distance apart is one of the most critical decisions to be made: The closer they are together, the smaller the steel sizes and the cheaper the floor.

The span will depend largely on the type of work to be carried out below the floor. If you are building a storage area underneath, you generally have narrow aisles so the legs can be closer together and incorporated within the shelving system.

If you are forming offices, you can usually manage with 3-4 metres between the legs which are incorporated into the partitioning. However, if you are using a forklift underneath, or making a production or assembly area, you may need 5-6 metres between uprights.

Mezzanine Floors and Planning Regulations

paul — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:53:56 +0000

98% of all mezzanine floors require building regulation approval but very few will require planning permission. There are some exceptions and if you are making any changes that affect the building externally (e.g. installing new windows) or if there were restrictions imposed on the original building permissions, a planning application will have to be made in addition to the Building Regulations application.

Drawings and Calculations

Drawings, calculations and any other relevant information will need to be submitted to an Approved Inspector, who will quickly indicate if the project will or will not pass the Building Regulations and Fire Authority codes. This allows changes to be made at this stage, while the project is still on paper, thus avoiding expensive manufacturing and installation modifications.

Other work

Work that is being carried out by other contractors, while the mezzanine is being installed might also be subject to Building Regulations. Therefore, its in your interest to make us aware of any other work, particularly:

Electrical work
Plumbing and Heating
Fire Alarms
Air Conditioning
Building work

If you need to get your Landlords permission to install a mezzanine floor you should consult your Landlord in parallel with the Building Regulations application. Some Landlords take a long time to grant permission, so that early consultation with them is essential if the project is not to be delayed.

Buying a Mezzanine Floor: What do I need to know and consider?

paul — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:21:52 +0000

Definition:

A mezzanine floor is a bespoke, free standing structure, usually a structural steel framework supporting a timber or steel deck.

Purpose:

To utilise redundant vertical space within a building, offering additional storage, sales or work floor space.

What will I need to know to specify the right mezzanine floor for my requirement?

You will need to know how much additional floor space you require. This will enable the length and width of the floor to be calculated. If a single tier floor will not give you the additional floor area you require then a multi tier floor will need to be considered.
The floor’s primary function: The loading and deflection limits of the floor will be determined by its usage. A floor being used as retail sales space will differ from one being used to store heavy products in a storage system. At this time you should also consider how things might change in the future, it is expensive to replace a floor that is not strong enough should a change of use occur.
If you intend to use a storage system, heavy machinery or pallet trucks on the floor these will produce ‘point loads’. These have to be considered by the floor designer and the floor’s design will change to accommodate the loads.
The concrete floor that the mezzanine stands on is the base on which all the loads are supported. Advice should be sought about the capability of the building structure to sustain these loads: Particularly where the imposed loading is high, the spans in either direction are significant, or the slab has limited reinforcement. A competent supplier will handle this for you using structural calculations or core sampling thereby ensuring that the mezzanine floor being provided is suitable for the concrete slab you already have.
Clear head room under the floor – what will the area under the floor be used for? If it is to be used as offices, or retail sales space then you may want the area to have a feeling of space. If you are operating forklift trucks these may have to travel under the floor. A 3 metre clear height is common, but floors can have any clear height between 2 and 6 metres.
Type of decking, this will be dictated by your intended usage; common options include standard P6 fibre board with a natural timber finish. Moisture resistant P5 board is an option, as are pre-painted, acrylic or non-slip rubberised surfaces. For other applications flat or patterned steel plate or galvanised open steel grid might be your choice. In practise almost any material and finish can be specified to match or contrast with the existing building.
Access – how will you get people, goods and equipment onto and off of the floor? If the floor will not be accessible from the existing building then some form of staircase will be required for people and maybe a goods lift or pallet gate for goods. Being a raised platform the floor will have a balustrade around its perimeter which will have to be considered when looking at how you will load and unload the floor if that’s applicable.
What accessories do you want? Apart from the things you must have for safety and operational reasons you may want to add other functionality or enhance the look of the floor. What type of handrail will you specify? Purely functional or something more stylish? What about your staircases – will they be a design feature with say glass panels or wooden hand rails? The options are really endless.
How will the installation be managed to minimise disruption? A simple floor of around 300m2 will take up to 5 days to build, a 3000m2 floor might take 5 weeks to build so how this will affect your business will dictate when its best done. As most floors are bespoke and made to order work on site probably won’t start for three to four weeks after you have placed an order.
Building regulation approval – essential for every floor this process takes place before, during and after the installation. Inspectors will want to see what you are proposing to build, see it being built and after completion to ensure it complies. This is a smooth process when a competent contractor is involved. The approval means that safety standards have been met, the number and size of staircases is correct, and fire regulations are, it is your peace of mind.