Does a Warehouse Mezzanine Count as Square Footage?
What are the primary differences between a mezzanine and an equipment platform?
Above: is this a platform or a mezzanine?Â
Mezzanines are a great option when you need to add more square footage into your warehouse or factory floor. They’re less expensive and easier to implement than alternatives like new construction or facility expansions, but also pose challenges when it comes sato dealing with code, safety and construction requirements.
Is it a mezzanine or a work platform?
Typically, you will classify industrial or warehouse mezzanines as equipment or work platforms for a number of reasons:
- Mezzanines are permanent structure and an intermediate level of a building.
- Work platforms are considered a piece of equipment.
- Classifying your structure as a mezzanine when it could be a work platform complicates the permitting process.
- Equipment platforms can be depreciated faster.
Read more: When Is a Mezzanine Not a Mezzanine?
If your platform is classified a mezzanine
If your platform is classified as a mezzanine, different code, safety and architectural requirements apply to it. Most mezzanines fall beneath IBC 502.2. OSHA defines work platforms as “a walking-working surface elevated above the surrounding area.”
Mezzanines are functionally designed as intermediate floor or levels within a building for additional usable space. They’re used to create extra storage, office areas, or viewing platforms. On the other hand, equipment platforms are used to support heavy machinery, equipment, storage or systems. Most of what you see in a typical warehouse or factory should be classified as equipment platforms. Platforms are heavier capacity due to their mission of supporting equipment/storage in addition to people.
Open vs. closed
There are specific rules on whether the mezzanine is considered open or closed. 505.23 states that a mezzanine must be open to the room where it sits except walls that aren’t more than 42″ tall. If the mezzanine isn’t occupied by more 10+ people, or if there are 2 or more exits, you can enclose it.
Work platforms: Most warehouse platforms aren’t enclosed, and typically do not have to be. They may host a modular building, racking, conveyors, etc.
The clear height beneath a mezzanine can be no less than 7 feet
Above: if your structure is classified as a mezzanine, it should have minimum of 7 clear feet beneath.Â
In a typical industrial facility, that’s usually not a problem. Warehouses have high ceilings and the main reason mezzanines are installed is to take advantage of that air space. If you cannot meet that minimum height requirement, other classifications may be necessary.
Work platforms can’t always comply with the minimum height requirements for mezzanines and usually aren’t required to do so. An example of that could be a 2′ platform meant to span piping or ducts. It’s not a mezzanine at all, although certain OSHA and other safety standards come into play. Even for taller applications, if you classify your structure as a platform, it’s smart to provide safe, ergonomic working and walking space for people working below.
Mezzanine size restrictions and limitations
If classified a mezzanine, your platform can’t be larger than a third of the total space of the room. Otherwise, it may be considered a separate floor or story. This may change based on the building construction type or function, and the presence of automated sprinkler systems for fire control. It’s always best to understand these factors in advance.
Work platforms aren’t as stringent on size constraints. They can occupy a larger percentage of the room without being considered another building story. However, this may depend on local fire and other building codes. A good rule of thumb is that platforms are usually considered equipment and not part of the room, but it’s always best to have this defined before adding the platform.
If classified as a mezzanine it may be considered part of your facility
It becomes an “intermediate level” but is not a story. It counts as part of the building’s square footage. This factors in differently given various jurisdictions and real estate rules. Fire codes generally take mezzanine square footage into account for compliance purposes. If it’s compliant with IBC 505.2, the mezzanine won’t be considered another story of your building. This makes compliance, or platform classification more important.
Mezzanines require specific egress code compliance
Multiple egress points, accessibility and other requirements can come into play.
Work platforms aren’t as stringently regulated in terms of building codes, but are covered by OSHA, which focuses on fall protection. Platform access openings should be covered with self-closing gates. If you’re loading or retrieving pallets, consider a pallet-size mezzanine safety gate rather than an open guardrail gap.
Above: video of a self-closing platform gate
Work platform issues with code requirements
Work platforms aren’t as regulated as true mezzanines because they aren’t considered part of a building. Building codes may not apply, or may apply differently for equipment or working platforms. However, safety issues are close to the same in many cases.
Platform safety compliance considerations include:
- If the platform is 48″ or taller, it requires guardrails, per OSHA 1910.29 (b) (1). Those rails must be at least 42″ high and must withstand 200 pounds force. This is common sense for any elevated platform. It’s smart to add guarding for almost any elevated platform because a 2 or 3 foot fall can cause significant injuries.
- Toe boards: If the platform is used for any repair, assembly or operational function that requires tools or loose items, toe boards that protect people from below from falling items are a smart investment. If the platform placed where people aren’t passing below, we still recommend toe boards if falling items could potentially get lost or damaged.
- Platform stairs: OSHA provides guidance on stairs ( riser heights, tread depths, and platforms) that apply as much to platforms as they do mezzanines. Those are available at OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25(b)(3), (b)(4), and (c) for walking-working surfaces. Stairs are a common source for falling accidents and require safety measures to reduce the issues. In brief, platform stairs should have uniform step intervals of 9.5″ or less, and treads at least 9.5″ deep. They should be at least 22″ wide.
- Dimensional limitations for mobile work platforms include an OSHA rule that states that your platform height cannot exceed four times its base width, unless you have additional stabilizing support. This helps prevent overturns and other dangerous situations.
Mezzanines and platforms have different missions
Mezzanines and platforms are often confused, but serve different functions. They’re subject to different IBC codes and local regulations. Understanding the primary differences between these two structures enables informed decision-making when considering the need for either additional space or dedicated support for heavy machinery, ensuring optimal utilization and efficiency. For further information, contact us. We’re happy to look at your application.
Download our Mezzanine Guide
The space you already have is more valuable than the space you could acquire. Adding a mezzanine to your facility can rapidly increase your vertical space available, and provide added efficiency and long-term value to your operations. Check out our guide for mezzanine specifications, styles, accessories and applications. You will find quick, useful information on mezzanines and how you can use them more effectively.
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Tags: industrial storage, Safety & Ergonomics, Space Optimization
Scott Stone is Cisco-Eagle's Vice President of Marketing with 35 years of experience in material handling, warehousing and industrial operations. His work is published in multiple industry journals an websites on a variety of warehousing topics. He writes about automation, warehousing, safety, manufacturing and other areas of concern for industrial operations and those who operate them.