Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
(OP)
Hi all,
I've been tasked with determining the load capacity of a "mezzanine" to meet OSHA requirements.
IBC 505.1 General. A mezzanine or mezzanines in compliance with Section 505 shall be considered a portion of the story below. Such mezzanines shall not contribute to either the building area or number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The area of the mezzanine shall be included in determining the fire area defined in Section 902. The clear height above and below the mezzanine floor construction shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
The mezzanine is inside a garage with a ceiling elevation of 13'-4". There is 5'-8" of headroom above the mezzanine. (There are also other issues that make me question whether this is actually a mezzanine, but this clear height issue is the first one.)
By definition, I am not dealing with a mezzanine? Is the loading evaluation still even necessary? What else could this "intermediate floor" be considered?
Thank you.
I've been tasked with determining the load capacity of a "mezzanine" to meet OSHA requirements.
IBC 505.1 General. A mezzanine or mezzanines in compliance with Section 505 shall be considered a portion of the story below. Such mezzanines shall not contribute to either the building area or number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The area of the mezzanine shall be included in determining the fire area defined in Section 902. The clear height above and below the mezzanine floor construction shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm).
The mezzanine is inside a garage with a ceiling elevation of 13'-4". There is 5'-8" of headroom above the mezzanine. (There are also other issues that make me question whether this is actually a mezzanine, but this clear height issue is the first one.)
By definition, I am not dealing with a mezzanine? Is the loading evaluation still even necessary? What else could this "intermediate floor" be considered?
Thank you.






RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
your other option is calling it storage and designing for 100 psf anyway.
RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
The mezzanine is already built. I don't need to design it, I need to provide a load capacity. Or do I if this isn't a mezzanine?
RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
You can calculate the load capacity of the structure, regardless of what you call it
OR
you can go through OSHA to determine the correct nomenclature for it
As a structural engineer, I'd defer the second question to the architects.
RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Mezzanine Loading Evaluation