Warehouse Mezzanines
There are four possible decisions to make in response to physical space challenges in a warehouse: intentionally restrict business, move to new facilities, expand current facilities or install warehouse mezzanines (if they are not already present). Mezzanines effectively double the capacity of the spaces they occupy. In warehouses, they allow for the vertical expansion of storage space, workspace and even office space. Their construction saves companies tens of thousands of dollars in new construction materials and labor costs, building permits, taxes, energy bills and a host of other expenses associated with commercial building. They can be custom designed to fit on top of existing shelving, assuming the shelving supports and columns are strong enough to sustain the extra weight. They can also be prefabricated for simple applications. Not all mezzanines are constructed as a response to space restrictions in growing businesses. Some warehouses feature built-in (or structural) mezzanines.
Warehouse mezzanine components include beams and support columns, gates and guard rails, stairs, railings and platforms, and are usually made of cold-rolled steel, though some mezzanines intended for light-duty applications are made from aluminum or fiberglass. Some mezzanines are designed to accommodate small, modular offices or shelving systems on or underneath their platforms. Other designs can work in conjunction with conveyor systems or vertical lifts, which allows for the safe and easy transportation of large or heavy objects to and from platforms. The platforms are conjoined with each other and with components either by welding or with nuts and bolts. Bolted platforms and components can easily be connected to or disconnected from other platforms and components for easy expansion or reduction of mezzanine size. In simpler mezzanine designs, installation can be organized in a way that minimizes worker disruption, especially compared to the disruption created by structural construction. Mezzanine platform flooring can be metal grating, solid steel, planks or plywood. Mezzanine stairs are treaded or grated for worker safety.
