Mezzanines for Warehouse Expansion

If your company is running out of warehouse floor space, and you do not have the money to build a larger building, there are storage options available to help solve your problem.  A mezzanine installed over your existing racking could be the answer. Is you company suffering from damage boxes and cartons because forklifts can not maneuver around the clutter. A mezzanine may be the answer to your problem.

Mezzanines generate space that is already heated, lighted and paid for

Mezzanines have become quite popular over the past two or three years, and can be installed over multi-tier racking to generate space that is already heated, lighted and paid for but totally unused. Mezzanines can also be used to secure items from theft like  tobacco, drugs and pharmaceuticals that need a higher level of security.  Mezzanines can be installed with wire perimeters and locking gates or doors to limit access.

Before choosing a mezzanine, one must examine some basic technical considerations.

Floor decks can be made from a steel, plywood and concrete,  but you will most likely need a solid floor of some type. Wood may be used if the weight of the storage is not heavy.  Steel or concrete will be your best choice for most applications.

Mezzanines are supported by steel columns and the number of columns depends on the weight of storage and the size of the structure.  This is a very critical component of the mezzanine planning procedure, so be sure to do your planning wisely. Remember, if you are building a mezzanine over existing pallet racking, the columns have to be placed properly not to interfere with the racks below and the spans must not be too long between column to avoid flexing. The structural framing and column spacing will affect all activities and warehouse operations performed under the mezzanine. Framing sizes and column spacing are  determined by local building codes based on whatever function the mezzanine will be used for. Forklift traffic and dock staging operations, for example, will be greatly affected by the placement of a mezzanine in the dock area. The fewer columns in an area where traffic flow exists the better, but there is a trade-off. As you increase the span between columns, the deck supports need to be thicker and stronger to maintain stability.

Structure Engineering

Proper floor analysis must be performed to ensure that the floor can take the loading of a mezzanine footprint.  An engineer should evaluate the floor that supports the mezzanine to determine how much weight it can accept in thousands of pounds per square inch. A freestanding mezzanine structure gives you great flexibility, so careful thought should be given to the initial design of the system in order to allow for the maximum amount of different uses. Most states require any type of storage application to be able to withstand a minimum of 125 pounds per square foot. While mezzanines for office space may require a rating of 125 pounds per square foot, heavy storage and machinery such as conveyors may need 250 pounds per square foot.

mezzanine may be your answer

The bottom line is that growing companies need more space and a mezzanine may be the most economical way to grow your storage space. Instead of moving or building another warehouse, use the space that you already have in the building. The mezzanine may be your answer and RackSmart Inc. can help you.  Call us today.
 

RackSmart currently has used, heavy duty pallet rack uprights and beams in Memphis, Tennessee, used pallet rack uprights and beams in Savannah, Georgia, used pallet rank uprights, beams and wire decks in Elberton, Georgia, and used pallet rack and drive-in racks in Lebanon, Indiana. Need used pallet rack in California, no problem. Don’t just look for used pallet rack and storage systems in your county, call RackSmart and let us do the search for you.  We can find used pallet rack in your local county or state area for you, or we can ship pallet rack and warehouse storage systems to any place in the country, any county or city. We also provide pallet rack and installation services to Jamaica, Belize and other parts of the Caribbean.  All of our metal storage racks are made of the finest steel and are in excellent used or refurbished condition. Call RackSmart Inc. 706-213-630.