A Complete Guide on Platform Mezzanine Design

A mezzanine floor construction is one of the most regulated undertakings in the construction space. Apart from costing an arm and a leg, a mezzanine floor requires a very qualified team to see it all through to approval.  

However, a successfully constructed mezzanine floor serves both building owners and users pretty well. 

In this article, we have highlighted all you need to know as far as designing a platform mezzanine is concerned, from conception to installation.

Pre-Design Evaluation

All construction projects begin as a thought. You need to understand exactly what you need the platform mezzanine for before pursuing the project. As such, preliminary evaluation of your facility is really necessary.

Preliminary site evaluation begins with a site survey. Having a mezzanine specialist on site during the preliminary evaluation assists them get al the dimensions of your story facility.

The mezzanine specialist assesses the height of your building, the space available, and also the structural integrity of the building. Considering a platform mezzanine means an additional load on the building, your facility has to be structurally sound in order to hold it together.

Designing the Mezzanine Floor

Once the preliminary evaluation is done, it is time for the architect or the mezzanine specialist to develop the actual platform mezzanine designs. This process is easier if your mezzanine specialist is either a structural engineer or an architect.

You will closely work with your mezzanine specialist to establish your storage needs as they come up with the designs. 

First, the mezzanine designer will sketch the designs on a piece of paper to get an idea of what the mezzanine floor will look like. Afterward, the mezzanine floor designer will feed the designed sketches to a computer aided design software and input more accurate measurements and floor details.

It is now possible to view the entire project before you commence construction due to advanced computer aided design technology such as BIM (Building Information Modelling).

Construction Materials Selection

When installing/building a platform mezzanine in your storage facility, evaluating the construction materials is vital. The lighter the materials you use, the fewer the loading your mezzanine floor can handle. 

Additionally, the construction materials contribute to the mezzanine floor’s entire dead weight, which is a crucial factor when constructing the mezzanine floor. 

Therefore, ensure that the construction materials you select are strong, meet the construction regulatory standards, and are within the scope of your budget.

Building Codes and Regulations

You will need the approval of the relevant regulatory agencies in your state. Different states have different requisites, and it is the duty of your constructor to ensure that your projects is compliant to all of them.

However, the bottom line of every regulation is to ensure that the project does not pose any risk to people using it.  

You need to work with an experienced mezzanine specialist who will help adhere to all laid-out rules, procedures, and regulations. The specialist also helps you to avoid possible liability lawsuits just in case your mezzanine fails any compliance test.

Installation

Constructing the mezzanine floor requires significant scrutiny to ensure the construction goes according to the design specifications. Your mezzanine installation contractor must oversee the construction process from start to finish.

Generally, mezzanine installation takes a few days depending on the size and traffic inside the building. It is advisable to install the platform mezzanine after regular working hours to ensure an uninterrupted workflow.

Inspection

Various construction regulatory bodies will periodically inspect the mezzanine floor installation process to ensure that the mezzanine installation contractor is adhering to the building codes and regulations.

Furthermore, you must inspect the finished mezzanine floor and confirm that the contractor delivers as per your contract.

Conclusion

How much does it require to construct a proper mezzanine platform? That question is best answered by mezzanine specialist after evaluating your storage needs. It is therefore recommended to partner with reputable mezzanine installation company for proper guidance.