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IQS Newsroom Articles on Mezzanine Construction
Mezzanine Construction
Mezzanine construction is the construction of structures within pre-existing buildings between the ceiling and the floor, essentially providing another storey within the facility. However, mezzanine construction differs from that of stories, or building levels, in that mezzanines do not reach across the entire building or facility in which they are enclosed. Mezzanine designs typically incorporate railings, which border the edges and generally overlook the rest of the facility or building, while open or enclosed stairs connect the ground floor with the mezzanine floor. Many different accessories can be added to customize mezzanines in order to increase the usability and safety of the mezzanine construction such as shelving systems, drawer units, modular office buildings, safety access gates, catwalks, pallet drop areas or work platforms. In commercial, residential and office buildings, mezzanine fabricators build and decorate mezzanine systems so that they match the rest of the building's interior. Where aesthetics are important - such as in malls or public office buildings - mezzanines can be designed to conform to the rest of the building's style, with escalators, glass railings and tiled flooring. Mezzanine construction for industrial and manufacturing buildings are highly functional, often providing storage for extremely heavy products or equipment. The most basic mezzanine design consists of a platform that is raised by columns, with flooring that is supported by beams or channels. There are three common types of mezzanine designs: island mezzanines, full mezzanines and inverted island mezzanines. Full mezzanine builders connect mezzanines to the building and extend them less than halfway across the facility’s ground space; island mezzanines, which are constructed completely unconnected to the building’s walls; and inverted island mezzanines, which are built around the interior perimeter of the facility. There are numerous different types of mezzanine constructions, which are designed to reflect its intended application. Warehouse mezzanines, for instance, consist of platforms, stairways, gates and railings that are designed in order to make the most of the existing storage space. Floor mezzanines consist of raised platforms that are designed to provide additional working floor space in a building or factory, and are offered built later as the company begins to expand. Racking mezzanines are constructed of platforms and railings so that they may accommodate the storage load or factory production flow. Mezzanine construction companies utilize many different materials in mezzanine design including aluminum, cold-rolled steel, structural steel, stainless steel and fiberglass.
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