Understanding The Mezzanine Stairs Regulations
Mezzanine stairs and handrails should be designed to meet the requirements of the area. Standard mezzanine stair widths are 36 inches wide and have skid-resistant treads with diamond-plating. Closed Risers, smooth treads, multiple landings, wider treads, unusual angles, cantilever landing design, and stairs with other requirements may be custom designed at AW Structures to meet your material handling requirements. Mezzanine rails and gates have to meet the client’s needs, requirements set by the local building departments, and codes set by the state.
Mezzanine Permits And Design
Any storage mezzanine installed needs a building permit. The company may assist with technical drawings, submittal services, seismic calculations, and forms needed by the building department. The services begin from the conceptual design and finish with the completed project.
Installation
The professional installation companies provide mezzanine installations using experienced staff. Their expertise and concern for safety ensure all projects are completed successfully by communicating consistently with the site managers, contractors, and warehouse employees.
Mezzanine Floors And Decking
The mezzanine floor may be constructed of several types of materials for mezzanine decking including steel or wood and can be flat or open grid solid decking.
Custom Designed Staircase
The storage mezzanine is custom-designed with the cantilevered landing allowing full access to the Storage Area directly below the staircase. Structural steel beams are used to increase the storage capacity of the floor. For large systems, lighting can be installed under the flooring.
Stairs For Rack Supported Mezzanine
This system is designed with one 14 step staircase going up to the floor of the rack-supported mezzanine. The level of the beam under the mezzanine floor provides extra storage space, the steel bar grating floor design helps overhead lighting to illuminate down to the warehouse floor.
General Access Staircase
When installing a new mezzanine floor there must be at least one general access staircase, and other types of stairs may be added afterward depending on the use of the floor. There are a number of options available including –
General Access Stair (Industrial)
A max. of 12 rises/ flight except in little premises where 16 risers/flight is permissible. When crossing this limit a landing tower is to be introduced. The treads should be closed with a non-slip surface and have contrasting noses, durbar steel is best for this application and used on all the standard staircases. The maximum rise need not exceed 170 mm and the maximum going need not be more than 250 mm. The distance between the handrail and the tread nose line must be between 900 – 1100mm. 300 mm handrail extensions are needed at the top and bottom of the staircase.
General Access Stair (Public)
Similar in appearance and design to the general access staircase ( industrial), the clearance between handrail posts should be a minimum of 1200 millimeters.
Utility Stair (Access)
Based on industrial settings, a minimum of 800 mm is needed between handrails with open contrasting rises, max. rise of 190 mm and maximum going of 250 mm. A maximum of 12 rises/flight except in small premises where 16 risers/flight is permissible. Landing Tower should be introduced when exceeding this allowance.
Utility Stair (Escape)
Design features to match the utility stair (access), however, the treads noses don’t need to be contrasting and you may increase the total number of risers to 25.
Conclusion
Mezzanine floor staircases are fabricated using stringer plates with posts and horizontal rails. Durbar treads are fitted as standard for industrial settings, however, smooth treads can be fabricated for the application of carpet tiles and other finishes.
