What is the Difference Between Mezzanine Rack and Steel Platform Rack ?

For warehouses with a height of over 4 meters, their commonly used multi-layer racking systems are mainly mezzanine racks and steel structure platforms.

Both types of shelving can be built in 2-3 layers, and both are fully assembled structures. Thus, what is the difference between attic racking system and steel structure platforms?

Different characteristics

The prominent feature of the mezzanine rack is that it uses those shelves placed on the first floor as load-bearing structure, and can generally be designed as a multi-level floor (usually 2-3 floors), equipped with stairs, guardrails, baseboards, and loading doors.

Steel platform racking, also known as operating platform, is commonly divided into two layers. One layer is used for setting shelves, and the other layer is used for offices. Steel platforms are usually composed of beams, uprights, plates, and other components made of shaped steel and steel plates; Each part is connected by welding seams, screws, or rivets. The notable feature of the steel platform is its fully assembled structure, with flexible design framework.

2. Support: The mezzanine racking system is supported by heavy duty or medium-duty shelves, and those shelves below are as pillars for the goods upstairs;

Steel platforms often use square steel, round steel, or H-shaped steel as columns, and use H-shaped steel or buckle beams as load-bearing layers. Their load capacity is better than that of attic racking. The major and minor beams used for steel platform racks are more robust than those used for mezzanine racking. Because platform structures typically consist of planking, beams, columns, inter column supports, as well as ladders, railings, etc.

3. Floor: The attic racking can be equipped with mesh or steel plates according to needs. Floor materials: flat plates (bent), hollow plates. Hollow board: Good transparency and breathability, suitable for cold storage.

Steel platforms usually adopt galvanized sheets.

4. Cost: In the same area, the cost of steel platforms will be higher than the cost of attic racks;

5. Load bearing: Medium duty mezzanine racks floor load bearing: 300kg-500kg/㎡.

The floor bearing capacity of a heavy-duty attic racking is 300kg-2000kg/㎡. Typically, the attic is designed with 2-3 floors.

As for the arrangement of goods, it is usually chosen to place large and heavy goods on the first layer, while other layers place small and medium-sized goods with relatively light weight.

The heavy-duty mezzanine racks are suitable for situations where the warehouse is high, the goods are heavy. The first floor is high for vehicle access, and the goods on the second layer are manually stored and retrieved.

The bearing capacity of steel platforms is generally 300kg-1000kg/m², and columns with strong bearing capacity; The major and minor beams in the steel structural racks can choose the reasonable price H-beam according to the stress requirements; The floor is made of cold-formed irregular steel plates or hollow plates, with a fastener structure.

6. Number of layers: Usually, the shelves in the attic racking are 2 to 3 layers, with the height of the first layer mostly ranging from 2.2 to 2.7 meters and other floors mostly ranging from 2 to 2.4 meters. They can be customized according to the actual needs.

In summary, both steel platforms and attic racks can fully utilize the upper space of warehouse and are equipped with stairs. The difference lies in the fact that the bottom layer of the attic shelves are usually panel shelves, which are used as support to prop up two or more layers upwards. The steel platform is built with steel columns as support, and the beams are stronger than the attic shelves.

The upper layer of attic shelves can be a platform; the lower layer can be shelves, or both the upper and lower layers can be full of shelves.

The mezzanine shelves are not very suitable for higher design because the first floor is loaded with shelves. So it is more suitable for use when the warehouse is high, the goods are light, and there are a variety of goods.

Most steel structure platforms do not come with shelves, and goods are mostly stored by stacking, which means steel structure platforms are more suitable items when the warehouse is higher, the goods are large and heavy, and there are not many types of goods.