To optimise the column grid of your mezzanine floor we need to know how much weight your warehouse floor can take down a mezzanine column. Ideally this information is provided prior to the design of any mezzanine floor to allow an accurate design and accurate costings to be provided. Without your warehouse slab details any design is speculative & costings are on the assumption the slab is capable.

Obtaining the slab details is important for two reasons:

1. By knowing the slabs capabilities, it allows us to design the mezzanine floor with the least number of columns possible. This allows you to optimise your space below. The stronger the slab, the larger the column grid we can provide.
2. Local authorities (building control) will require confirmation that your warehouse floor can withstand the column loads of the mezzanine floor. This information will need to be verified during the building control application before any building control certificate can be issued.

1. The thickness of the concrete slab and information surroundings its construction
2. The ground bearing pressure below the slab (CBR Value)

The information is often provided in the operations and maintenance manual that was issued when the building was first constructed. If you own the building it is likely you will have the information on file. If you lease the building you will have to request the information from your landlord.

If the information is not available a core test needs to take place. This involves:

1. Core test company. A company attending site to take core samples of the warehouse slab. This is an unobtrusive procedure and is generally completed within half a day.
2. Structural Engineer. The information taken from the core test is then sent to a structural engineer who produces a report that details the slabs capabilities. This information allows us to calculate the maximum load we can put down a column.

We do not complete the core tests however we can recommend companies who can. Roughly speaking the core test costs £900.00 + vat and to interpret the results a structural engineer costs £500.00 + vat

If you require a core test, usually from placing the order with the core testing company we get the information we need within three weeks.

Usually, a warehouse floor can withstand a mezzanine floor, however on the rare occasion your slab isn’t strong enough there are various options available. These include.

1. Reduce the capacity of weight the mezzanine floor can take.
2. Reduce the column grid sizes, therefore reducing the load.
3. If none of the above options are suitable you can install a pile (foundation) under each column. If this is a requirement, we will guide you through this process and explain what is involved. This is usually only applicable to floors with large spans or particularly heavy weight requirements.

If you require further assistance with your warehouse slab details please do not hesitate to contact our offices on 0113  831 3303