You can always maximize your space by creating another level or floor. It’s called a mezzanine floor – sometimes a semi-permanent structure that is annexed between the existing floor and the ceiling. Considered as a highly cost-effective solution to extend your cramped building space, it is much more beneficial when compared to alternative means such as relocating or extending the land area. Despite the lower costs, insufficient planning and consideration would make the construction and design of the mezzanine expensive.
Keeping costs into consideration, we listed important guidelines to keep you from overspending when installing a mezzanine floor:
Keep Mezzanine Height to a Minimum
Depending on the height where the mezzanine floor is placed, safety regulations should be a prime consideration to determine the safety measures and features that must be included during construction. For instance, a mid-staircase landing may be necessary if the floor is very high. Therefore, you can greatly cut your costs by making sure that the mezzanine floor is placed at the minimum height possible.
Purpose of the Floor
Your first factor to consider must be how the new extra flooring will be utilized after construction. For safety and security factors, the weight it will bear is the main problem when making mezzanines. Overstating these needs is one of the most typical factors for unneeded extra expenses being factored right into the specs.
Normally, you intend to make sure that the materials for the floor have the ability to maintain the requisite weight. You desire to increase and also inspect your estimations to make certain that the optimum quantity of architectural steel percentage is integrated right into the mezzanine flooring. There are constructing policies which determine the minimum packing requirements. Presently, this is evaluated 3.5 kN/m2 for an evenly dispersed weight, such as an office space.
Your Heaviest Load Points Should Be the Focal Points
The structural steel framework specifications are generally based on an even distribution of load. However, it is possible to change some sections in unexpected areas to make way for heavier load points. When load points are accurately identified, additional support for these areas is accommodated, thereby lowering expensive replacements later.
Keep Safety Related Costs in the Backburner
Although a cost-effective method of creating a working space double in size, a mezzanine floor will still gather budget requirements more than what you expect. Complying with safety requirements will always mean additional costs. For instance, the design at strategic points calls for fire escapes so that the new floor will match what the building regulations require. These safety compliance factors need to be counted in when doing your budget planning.
Explore Options with the Column Grid
Structural steelwork makes up the lion’s share of the budget. But you can minimize the costs by optimizing the design and function of the column grid. Remember, this is a decision hinge on the installation company. They will be able to provide a breakdown of the costs and give you a range of options involved with your plan and design in place. When determining the column’s positions, the goal is to ideally balance the carrying capacity requirement, given the layout spread minus the obstructions. However, the more columns you include, the overall installation will be much cheaper.
Be Intuitive of Access Requirements
With the desired number of access points, costs will be directly proportional. Either way, you should be aiming for fewer access points without compromising your operational requirements. You should consult an inspector for local building regulations before making a final decision. Compliance with minimum legal requirements is critical before the construction. Come up with load requirement calculations too to keep the expenses low and avoid getting the wrong material specifications.
Decking Surface Needs Flexibility
The decking surface you want should be acquired with the purpose in mind of how the mezzanine will be used. If there is room for flexibility, then you might save by choosing a cheaper finish, rather than scrimping foundational materials. Extremely durable and long-lasting, using steel is necessary to support heavy loads on the floor. For general purposes, high-density particleboard decking with 38mm width is adequate enough to hold.
Mezzanine floors could be customized depending on your needs. You should consult a designer and stairs experts to prioritize safety over savings. Ultimately, the safety of your employees is at stake and getting them a strong mezzanine floor to last for years should be your priority.