Mezzanine floors are temporary flooring structures that are built within a building to create an additional level between the roof and the floor. They are the perfect solution in a building where space is at a premium but additional room is required.
Has your business out grown its current premises? Does the cost and nuisance of relocating rule out a move? Have you been declined planning permission to extend your current building? If so, Mezzanine floors could be the perfect answer to your problems. They can double the current floor space and exploit the unused space available in your company.
Mezzanine floors can be utilised in many different ways, the most popular being storage (as raised storage platforms), plant support structures, manufacturing space, Volkswagen squareback office areas and retail room. There are no limits to the uses that mezzanine floors can be utilised to do. They are a cost effective solution for your company to add extra space to your property and utilise unused space.
Mezzanine floors allow a business to stay in their existing premises, saving on expensive relocation costs. Does your business operate from two different locations? An additional floor can let you consolidate your company in one location, thus reducing overhead costs and easing logistical problems.
Are mezzanine floors the correct solution for my business?
Before installing mezzanine floors into your work place you will have to consider the following things.
Headroom
Headroom is the most important consideration before installing a mezzanine. In general you would need approximately 4,500 metres of roof height to ensure you have enough room between the roof and floor when the flooring has been fitted.
Loading
Mezzanine floors are designed and fitted to the customer's specific requirements, but strict building legislation exists to ensure safety for all employees who use it. Loading weights start at 250kg/m2, this is suitable for small offices where partitions are not required. The average loading weight that would be suitable in most circumstances is 500kg/m2. However, floors can be built for much heavier loads. Consideration should be given to the deflection (bounce) rate within the mezzanine design. Mezzanine floors are generally lightweight in design and structure which allow a great amount of bounce. This can be greatly reduced by improvements to design. The cheaper the mezzanine flooring the greater the bounce rate will be.
Usage
What purpose will the floor be used for? This consideration is of utmost importance. Building Health and Safety requirements will have to be met. For example, if the flooring is intended for a retail outlet or an area designated for use public use, the floors will have to adhere to regulations governing wheelchair access. This can be met by the installation of a suitable staircase. Flooring used for this purpose will also have to conform to strict fire and safety regulations. This will not be the case for flooring solely used for storage room. When installing a floor, a risk assessment will be carried out and stipulations will be added accordingly.
Accessibility
Mezzanines are usually accessed via a staircase. Consideration should be made to where the staircase should be placed taking in to account the operational issues as well as adhering to health, safety and emergency exit regulations. Maximum travel regulations will be imposed, so additional staircases will need to be installed on larger flooring.
Mezzanine support legs
Support
Floors are usually stand alone structures and independent from the surrounding building, the flooring is supported columns. The positioning and frequency of the support columns can be designed around the available space and specific customer requirements. Generally, the fewer columns incorporated into the designs for the floors the higher the cost.
Surface
The surface used in the majority of flooring uses 38mm high density particle board decking, this material is extremely versatile and gives a strong durable and hard wearing. This surface is suitable for most uses. Other surfaces are available including plywood and various steel solutions.
Choosing a supplier
Most mezzanine flooring companies will offer professional and sound advice ensuring you purchase the correct mezzanine floors solution for your business. Companies in this field of work will offer a full spectrum of services that will include consultation, design, risk assessment, installation, future maintenance and guarantees. [products/mezzanine-floors/]Mezzanine floors can offer a satisfying and convenient solution to very many flooring and health and safety issues.
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