What are the advantages of an industrial mezzanine? | RAJA

The self-supporting industrial mezzanine floor has many advantages: as well as being an effective solution to recurring storage problems in warehouses, it can offer many other benefits to those who take a closer look.

How can you get more storage space in your warehouse and why is a mezzanine floor the ideal solution for your business?

This article was updated in January 2021.

The industrial mezzanine: definition and installation

An industrial mezzanine is an installation that allows you to create additional space that can be used for storage or offices.

An ideal solution beforeto buy more storage space or to change warehousesyou are adding square metres to your existing space by adding one or more floors.

The uses of a storage platform

In general, the industrial mezzanine is designed to provide additional storage space

However, a well-designed platform can also be used to optimise handling and order picking, as well as the safety of the pickers.

Industrial mezzanines can be equipped with metal shelving (also called storage racks) to store all kinds of goods:

• horizontal storage in cantilever racks,
• storage of individual products,
• storage platforms in crates,
• pallet storage in pallet racks,
• archiving.

How to install a mezzanine in your warehouse?

Industrial mezzanines are based on metal structures

• Floors can be made of steel, grating or wood, such as floors that meet specific health standards.
• Please note: the most common material used is steel (galvanised or epoxy), as it is strong and highly safe for both your employees and your goods stored at height.
• The metal elements are very easy to assemble and to fit, while ensuring solid security, so their assembly is easy, quick and clean, and will not entail major construction costs.

But why is a mezzanine so profitable, beyond the lower installation costs? It is a significant additional storage space that allows you to amortize the rental or purchase of your warehouse.

The return on investment of a self-supporting mezzanine is based on its ability to accommodate a variety of loads, from heavy to light, depending on the type of goods your company carries.

Where can you install a mezzanine?

• In warehouses, hangars, shops, etc.
• Robust but mobile, flexible and adaptable to the environment in which they are to be used, they can be adapted to an existing storage facility or to an empty space.

Some safety tips

Industrial mezzanines can be dismantled and thus moved or reused.

But beware: although mezzanines are said to be simple to use and easy to assemble, you will still need professional help with installation.

Similarly, it would be unwise to build the upper floors of your industrial facilities yourself: their installation and use require an exact knowledge of the standards and calculations for load distribution and capacity, strength of materials, etc., as well as of the legislation in force, particularly with regard to the safety of your employees.

So don’t hesitate to call on a specialist in industrial mezzanines, who will be able to install the shelves, partitions, shelving, trays, stairs and ladders necessary for the safety of your activity.

The different types of mezzanines

Industrial mezzanines can be adapted to the nature of your needs. Whether it is a question of your storage requirements, physical terrain, or existing industrial shelving, several types of platforms exist:

• Mezzanines on cross shelving: these mezzanines are installed on existing shelving.
• Mezzanines on shelving: existing or non-existing shelving to which a floor is added in order to create a large storage space.
• Self-supporting platforms or mezzanines on posts: these mezzanines can be installed anywhere and are generally very flexible.

The benefits of a mezzanine for your business

What are the real benefits of a mezzanine for your business? How do mezzanines improve your company’s storage space?

• Mezzanines improve storage space : with this form of storage, it is possible to double or even triple your existing storage capacity.
• You can build an industrial mezzanine without planning permission.
• The installation requires little major work.
• Mezzanines aresuitable for all types of warehouses and can be adapted to your needs.
• Costs are reduced in relation to the space saved.

The mezzanine floor offers many advantages: it is economical, it allows you to occupy the height and not the floor space, and it also reduces costs and optimises your storage.

Conclusion: 3 key points to remember

• The industrial mezzanine is a simple and safe way to gain storage space at a reasonable cost, without the need for planning permission, land purchase or expansion.
• A mezzanine floor is of course used for storage: by taking up the height of your warehouse and not the floor space, you can double or triple your storage capacity – but the mezzanine floor can also be a well-designed platform designed to assist with order picking.
• Mezzanines are flexible and mobile elements: of different types, they adapt very well to all environments, and have the great advantage of being dismountable and therefore easily movable.