April 2017 | Business View Magazine

30 31 EXECUTIVE VIEW Designing a Mezzanine System: 5-step guide for creatingwarehouse storage space by Everything Warehouse T here’s an old saying that goes something like “If the space is there, someone will fill it,”which is why you often find warehouses filled beyond capacity, even during slower periods. However, there is a solution to almost every space constraint problem. Mezzanines allow warehouses and distribu- tion centers to increase their usable storage area without leasing more space or moving operations to larger warehousing facilities. Your business can save on rent, moving costs, and sometimes even property taxes. Why Mezzanines are Important to Warehouse Functionality Everyone likes growth, but when your distri- bution center or manufacturing plant outgrows its facility, you may have an expensive problem on your hands. Space is crucial to businesses that have a production line, or do a lot of shipping and receiving as part of their daily activities. If you’ve been in the same facility for a long time, you know how challenging it is to keep up with space demands. You may be thinking that relocating to a bigger building, or adding on to your current building, is your only option. Before you decide to pull up stakes, take note: a warehouse mezzanine could be an easy and functional way to increase your existing storage space. Here is a five-step guide to help with the decision… 1. Plan Ahead Successful installation of mezzanine flooring requires careful planning. As with any building project, it’s important to cover every eventuality. n Permission: Check with the local planning and zoning board or authority, and review the terms of your lease if you are renting to ensure you have the necessary permissions. n Purpose: Mezzanines are installed for many different reasons, including office space, pro- duction space, storage, showroom space, and retail space. Be sure to discuss all your needs with your mezzanine installer. n Headroom: Your existing space should be approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters) in height to give adequate headroom on both the ground floor and mezzanine level. n Loading: Tell your installer what you will be loading. An office may not require the same loading requirements as a space with heavy machinery used for production, or a space used for storage. n Surface: Most mezzanines use high-density particle board for the deck surface, but there are many other materials available.What you choose depends on the purpose of your mezzanine. 2. Determine Space, Height & Structural Support Capacity Along with determining available space and