Industrial Work

Platforms,
Equipment
Platforms &
Mezzanines
Presented by:

Sponsored by:

Kevin ONeill Steele Solutions

Hue Schlegel Wildeck

Greg Doppler Cornerstone

Brian Pelto Ohio Gratings

2014 MHI
Copyright claimed as to audiovisual works of seminar sessions and
sound recordings of seminar sessions. All rights reserved.

Pop Quiz:
Q: What is the difference between a
mezzanine and a work platform?

Pop Quiz:

Mezzanine

Work Platform

Pop Quiz:

Work Platform

Mezzanine

Pop Quiz:
A: A mezzanine is a permanent
intermediate level within a building that is
part of its physical structure; e.g., a partial
story between two main stories of a building
(auditorium, theater, entrance lobby, etc.).
Also, an intermediate circuit card.

Mezzanines:

Pop Quiz:
A: An elevated work platform is an
addition to a building or a machine that
increases usable space or provides safe
and convenient access to equipment.
It is not treated as a permanent part of the
building, but it can become part of a
machine (for access, operation or maintenance).

Elevated Work Platforms:

About SMA
Non-profit Industry Group of MHI.
Formed in 1974 by visionary industry leaders.
Mission: To advance standards, quality, safety and general fitness for the
intended use of industrial storage equipment.
Membership requirements:
Manufacture & structural design of storage equipment for sale in USA
Pay dues
Attend meetings
Participate in the monthly statistical program
Voluntarily support design and manufacture of products in accordance
with appropriate American National Standards (ANSI)
Members are leading manufacturers from throughout the world.

SMA Mission
Inform all industry stakeholders on the product categories that we represent
Work together to advance standards, quality, safety
Work with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to write and
develop standards for a safer and overall better design of work platforms

ELEVATED WORK
PLATFORMS
Optimize existing overhead space
In-plant offices, storage, manufacturing
Cost less than new construction
Easier to expand up than out

Implications:
Codes:
MHI has worked with the American National Standards Institute to
develop a Specification for the Design, Manufacture, and
Installation of Industrial Steel Work Platforms (ANSI MH28.32009).

Depreciation:
Work Platforms qualify for accelerated 7-year capital equipment
depreciation, compared to the 30 years normally associated with
permanent building improvements.

Flexibility:
Work Platforms are bolt-together structures that can be relocated or
expanded as your needs change.

Cost:
Work Platforms can expand the usable space in a building for a
fraction of the cost of new construction ($20 / sq. ft. versus $119 / sq. ft.).

Single-Level Work Platform

Single-Level Work Platform

Multi-Level Work Platform

Multi-Level Work Platform

Retail Back Rooms

Automotive Parts Rooms

Warehouse Applications

Distribution Centers

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Conveyor Sortation Support

Packaging Platform

Quality Assurance Platform

Paint Line Platform

Food Application

Modular Office Application

Modular Office Application

Pipe Rack Support

Cold Storage Application

Components of an Elevated Platform

Footings How Much Load?

Columns & Framing

What is the Allowable Deflection?

Framing Options
Range of Structural Designs
To Handle Various Load &
Span Requirements:
Bolted C-Section

Beam & C-Section

Beam & Beam
Beam & Bar Joist

Truss Girder & Bar Joist

Bolted C-Section Framing

Spans up to 20
Typical storage loads
Quicker delivery

Beam & C-Section Framing

Spans larger than 20 in 1 direction

Added Flexibility
Economical for smaller applications

Beam & Beam Framing

Unlimited spans
Unlimited loading
Most flexible but costly

Beam & Bar Joist Framing

Unlimited spans
More depth of structure required
Economical for larger projects

Truss Girder & Bar Joist Framing

Unlimited spans
More depth of structure required
Economical for larger projects

Components of an Elevated Platform

Decking Surface,
Stairs & Handrail

Decking Options
Four General Categories of Decking
Steel Bar Grating

Engineered Wood Panels

Diamond Plate
Concrete

Decking Considerations
Factors That Will Influence Decking Selection:

Air & Light

Penetration
Sprinkler
Penetration
Heavy Loading
Durability

Decking Considerations
Factors That Will Influence Decking Selection:
Cost
Cleanability
Rolling Loads
Ergonomics
LEED Credits

Decking Considerations
Factors That Will Influence Decking Selection:
Strength
Solid Surface

Decking Considerations
Factors That Will Influence Decking Selection:

Fire Codes
Wash Down
Applications

Common Work Platform Grating

Close Mesh Grating for Pallet Jack Traffic

Grating on Work Platform

Engineered Wood Panels

Unfinished, Coated or Laminated

Engineered Wood Panels

to 1-1/8 Thickness
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Finishes Available
Wide Range of Load Capacities
Foot Traffic up to 8,000 lb. Pallet Trucks

Engineered Wood Panels

Rack Supported Structure

Diamond Plate
Steel
Painted
Galvanized

Aluminum
Non-Corrosive
Lightweight

Concrete

Using the Proper Flooring System

will result in Good Versatility &
Long Term Performance

Elevated Work Platforms

Accessories

Custom Stairways

ANSI Standard for Platforms

& Access Gate Design
ANSI MH28.3-2009
Specification for the Design, Manufacture,
and Installation of Industrial Steel Work
Platforms (mezzanines), paragraph 6.4.3

Any gate that provides an access

opening through the guards for the
purpose of loading and unloading
material onto a work platform shall be
designed such that the elevated surface
is protected by guards at all times.

Download ANSI standard for

work platforms at www.MHI.org

Pivot Safety Gate

Unique Cut-to-Width design (10 ft to 3 ft)
Side rails can easily connect to work
platform railings for a seamless barrier
Complies with ANSI MH28.3-2009
Meets OSHA and IBC code requirements

Overhead Safety Gate

When one side opens, the other is closed
Spring assist slows descent of gate
Integral kick-plate keeps objects from
falling off work platform
Complies with ANSI MH28.3-2009

Double-Drop Safety Gate

Simultaneous loading and unloading

Ideal for high-cycle forklift access
Complies with ANSI MH28.3-2009

Meets OSHA, IBC, and UBC

Mezzanine Lifts

Work Platform Lifts - VRCs

Guard Rail

Specifications
ANSI MH26.1 Specification for the Design and
Testing of Industrial Steel Shelving
ANSI MH26.2 Specification for the Design and
Testing of Metal/Wood Shelving

ANSI MH26.3 Specification for the Design

Manufacture and Installation of Industrial Steel
Work Platforms
www.mhi.org/sma

SMA Members
Cornerstone Specialty Wood Products, LLC
Heartland Engineered Products, LLC
Konstant
Lyon Workspace Products
Ohio Gratings Inc.
Penco Products, Inc.
Steel King Industries
Steele Solutions, Inc.
Tri-Boro Shelving & Partition Corp.
Western Pacific Storage Solutions
Wildeck, Inc.

Q&A

For More Information:

Jeff Woroniecki
MHI Managing Executive
jworoniecki@mhi.org

www.mhi.org/sma