Mezzanine floors are a great way for a business to expand without moving premises. One of the reasons for this is that they are versatile spaces and can be used in a variety of ways, from additional desk and office space to a storage area or designated area within a manufacturing process. But, when installing a mezzanine floor, you want to make sure the space will meet your needs, which is why it is important you pick a mezzanine floor for your use.

The use of the space will, more often than not, dictate the design, materials and build of the floor, so you need to know its purpose before going into a project.

At Crocker Cladding, we are expert mezzanine floor installers and work with you to design a custom mezzanine floor to suit your needs. Throughout the process, we will discuss how the purpose of your extra space will shape the design and structure of the space so you can make informed decisions.

In this blog, we share the many ways you can use a mezzanine floor and how to choose the right one for your business.

Applications of Mezzanine Floors

Depending on the industry you work in, you will likely have a specific need for the extra space you are after.

And this is why mezzanine floors are becoming a popular choice for businesses - because they can be used however you need them.

Common uses include:

• Additional desk space
• Separate office space
• Storage area
• Extra showcase area in retail spaces
• Segregate production lines
• Employee break rooms

As you can see, it doesn't matter what has made you think you need additional space; a mezzanine floor can provide it.

Factors To Consider When Choosing The Purpose

When designing a mezzanine floor, you need to be aware of several things, and how you intend to use the space will impact these factors.

• Load capacity - the floor will be designed to hold a certain weight limit while also meeting regulations. This will include static and moving weight, so you need to bear this in mind when designing the space.
• Height restrictions - The height of your space will dictate whether adding a mezzanine floor is possible - there will need to be enough space to move underneath it as well as when standing on it.
• Purpose - the intended use of the space will directly impact the design and vice versa, the design will impact how you will be able to use it.
• Materials - The materials used impact durability, aesthetics, and suitability for the intended use.
• Access and safety - these are crucial in complying with regulations, so will also partly dictate the design of the space.
• Space optimisation - while cost-effective, mezzanine floor installation is a big investment, so you want to make sure you are making the most of the space available.
• Budget - your budget will impact the design and materials used, so it is worth considering this when you explore this idea.
• Compliance and regulations - mezzanine floor installations are heavily regulated to ensure everyone's safety, so throughout the design and installation process, these will dictate actions and plans.

Understanding these key considerations can help you narrow down how you will use the space and, in turn, which mezzanine floor is right for your business needs and space available.

Customisation Options

Even with the several factors you need to take into consideration, there are a number of customisation options you can make to enhance the functionality of your space.

These can include:

• Decking materials
• Staircases
• Handrails
• Some safety features
• Edge protection
• Finishes colours and coatings
• Lighting and electrical work

These choices allow you to create a space that fits your property while also meeting your needs as a business.

When working with a professional team, they will guide you through these decisions so that your choices help functionally and work towards meeting standards and regulations in your industry and the mezzanine floor construction industry.

Ensuring Compliance

Of course, one of the biggest factors for any mezzanine floor designs and uses is compliance with UK Building Regulations and safety standards.

Building Regulations ensure structural safety and fire safety, as well as accessibility and protection from falling. To comply with these regulations means to have certain aspects in place which will guide you in your design process.

As said above, the new floor must be able to withstand the loads it will bear, and in doing this will need to meet British Standard BS 6399-1:1996. All the structural elements of the floor, such as column spacing, beam size and bracing, will be designed to meet these requirements, which is why it is important to know what you will be using the space for and have a rough idea of how much weight it will need support.

Compliance with fire safety standards includes using a fire-resistant structure (a necessity if the usable floor space is increased by 50% or more), ensuring there is an escape route in case of emergency, and a fire suppression system is put in place where needed.

Finally, health and safety standards in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 must be considered when designing the space. This means adding handrails, edge protection, adequate lighting and signage and ensuring the stairs, ladders, or lifts comply with British Standard BS 5395-3:1985.

In most cases, these will be incorporated into the design once you have specified the purpose of the space so that the floor meets the functionality needed.

However, there might be some cases where compliance might guide how you will use the space so that you and your employees remain safe and free from any legal fines.

Choose A Mezzanine Floor With Crocker Cladding

Typically, we are approached by you because you already know what mezzanine floor you need - you have encountered a problem and discovered that the additional space from a mezzanine floor will solve that.

In this case, we can crack on with a design, ensuring compliance and working with you to customise it where possible.

However, in some cases, you might know that you need the extra space but may not be 100% sure how you will use it. In this case, we can work with you to discuss your options, slowly narrowing down the potential purposes and starting to work on a design that might meet several functions.

The team at Crocker Cladding are experts at what we do, with knowledge of all regulations, standards and designs that will meet your purpose. We will guide you through the process from start to finish so you know what to expect and when.

Call us on 07954 323335 or complete our online contact form to discuss your needs with our specialists.