What Is a Mezzanine?
A raised steel platform inside your building: a second level for storage, picking or work. Usually the cheapest way to add square feet.
Free-standing on its own columns, rack-supported, or a shelving-supported catwalk. For high-volume picking: pick modules.
Types of Mezzanines
- Free-StandingOpen floor below.
- Rack-SupportedPallet rack below, floor above.
- Shelving-SupportedTwo levels of shelving with a catwalk.
- Work PlatformsAround machines and conveyors.
Advantages of a Mezzanine.
- More space, no move.
- Cheaper than building.
- Rated for your load.
- Complete. Stairs, handrail, kick plate, pallet gates and lighting.
- Bolted. It can often be moved, with new engineering for the new site.
Where Mezzanines Are Used
- Distribution and e-commerce, pick modules over packing.
- Manufacturing, parts over production.
- Retail and wholesale, overstock.
Common questions
How high does my ceiling need to be?
About eight feet clear below (ten to twelve for forklifts), 14 to 18 inches for the floor structure (beams, joists and deck), and seven to eight feet on top. 20 feet clear is tight; 24 feet is comfortable.
How much weight can a mezzanine hold?
The engineer rates it for your use. Storage decks are designed heavier than office decks, and pallet jacks or equipment add point loads that are checked separately. Columns often need a footing.
Free-standing, rack-supported or shelving-supported?
Free-standing when the space below must stay open. Rack-supported when pallet rack below carries the deck. Shelving-supported when both levels are shelving.
How do pallets get up there?
A forklift through a safety gate, a vertical reciprocating conveyor, or an incline conveyor. The gate is cheapest for a few pallets an hour.
How long does it take?
For 2,000 to 5,000 square feet free-standing: a few weeks to engineer and permit, six to ten to deliver, a week to install.
