DOUBLE OR TRIPLE YOUR WAREHOUSE SPACE WITH AN INDUSTRIAL MEZZANINE
WHAT IS AN INDUSTRIAL MEZZANINE?
In the simplest terms, a mezzanine is an additional floor or platform installed above the main warehouse floor. Mezzanine structures take advantage of unused vertical space and can be temporary, permanent, semi-permanent, stationary, or movable.
THERE’S VALUE IN THE CUBE
The more vertical space you have in your warehouse, the more you can do with less space.Thoughtful cube utilization in the warehouse involves using the vertical spaces of your storage areas in addition to the length and width. Too often, this third dimension, or vertical cube, is not maximized. A warehouse mezzanine takes advantage of floor-to-ceiling vertical space by converting it into usable square footage. You’re paying for the whole cube, so why not maximize every bit of it?
Mezzanines are not just a quick fix for when business is booming, and you feel you are running out of space. They can double or even triple your existing space at a moderate cost (up to 80% less than a building addition), allowing you to remain in your current facility for many years to come.
WHERE TO PLACE A MEZZANINE
While tall pallet racks can help maximize vertical space, there are usually other areas in a storage facility that do not utilize the overhead space. Work areas such as shipping and receiving areas, assembly, production areas, offices, and break areas are examples of places in a warehouse likely to have vast amounts of wasted vertical space above them. Incorporating additional levels in these overhead areas is one of the best ways to reclaim that unused space.
TYPES OF MEZZANINES
Shelving Supported Mezzanine
Shelving supported warehouse mezzanines are an effective way to create an extra work area level using standard boltless shelving (also called rivet shelving), industrial steel shelving (also called clip shelving), or wide span shelving components. Shelf supported mezzanines are very cost-effective and offer added shelf storage (below and above), which can be used in many different ways. Shelving supported warehouse mezzanines are a good choice when you are storing smaller items, such as automotive parts, for example.
Wide span shelving with second level catwalks and a third level mezzanine floor.
Freestanding Mezzanine
Freestanding warehouse mezzanines are one of the most common types of industrial mezzanines available for commercial use. Of all the types of industrial mezzanines, freestanding mezzanines offer the greatest flexibility in set-up and reconfiguration, and they have the capacity to house pallet racks and shelving systems.
Freestanding industrial mezzanines can increase the footprint of your space without additional concrete slab work or wall structures. Another significant advantage is they are considered equipment because they are not attached to the walls of the building in any way. Equipment is depreciated over a shorter period than traditional permanent construction. Freestanding mezzanines are a good choice if you lease your warehouse because leased spaces come with special restrictions on building expansions and modifications.
Freestanding multipurpose mezzanine.
Building Column Connected Mezzanine
A building column connected industrial mezzanine depends on an existing building structure for support. If you decide to have a building column connected mezzanine installed, the facility must be designed to carry or support heavy loads. There is also a blended support in which the mezzanine is partly supported by the columns and partly by the building structure. A blended support allows the foundation to support a heavier load.
ADDITIONAL MEZZANINE DESIGN ELEMENTS
When designing your mezzanine, additional materials are needed for the decking, stairs, and fall protection. Flooring options include standard roof decking, treated wood, bar grating, metal, or concrete. Safety components include handrails to enclose the mezzanine, kick guards, and welded steel stairs. Fire-proof decking materials allow air to circulate and help reduce fire hazards and allow sprinkler systems to penetrate all layers. Gates and catwalks make loading, unloading, and accessing goods more convenient while saving time and labor. You may also want to include additional methods of moving materials such as chutes or conveyors in your mezzanine design.
If you have outgrown your storage facility, one or more mezzanines are a less costly alternative to building an addition or moving to a larger facility. Mezzanines can help you reclaim formerly unusable space by accessing the vertical space in your facility. You can use them for equipment storage, office space, employee space, production space, and so forth to free up ground level space for more storage or manufacturing equipment. However you choose to use the vertical space, you will increase density and efficiency and lower your overall cost.
BUY NEW OR USED INDUSTRIAL MEZZANINES
Whether you’re looking to expand your existing storage with a new or used mezzanine, Camara Industries can help. We have new and used mezzanine components for rack supported, shelving supported, and building column supported mezzanines as well as a range of new or used freestanding mezzanines to suit your specific needs. Reach out to our material handling pros today to get started with your storage optimization.
