Mezzanine Loading Assessment for Precision Engineering and Finishing Facility

SWJ Consulting were appointed by a precision engineering and finishing company to complete a mezzanine loading assessment to calculate the load-bearing capacity of an existing mezzanine floor within their manufacturing facility. The client was planning to bring its anodising process in-house and needed to install several large treatment tanks on the mezzanine level as part of the new production line.

Anodising is an electrochemical finishing process used to create a durable and corrosion-resistant oxide layer on metal components, most commonly aluminium. The process involves a series of chemical treatment tanks filled with liquids, meaning the equipment can generate significant concentrated loads in relatively small areas.

Although the mezzanine floor had originally been designed to support the overall distributed loading expected within the facility, the client was concerned that the high localised loads from the anodising tanks could overstress parts of the structure. In particular, they wanted reassurance that the floor could safely transfer the additional loads through the existing steelwork and down into the supporting structure without creating overstressed areas or unexpected deflection.

SWJ Consulting carried out a detailed structural assessment of the mezzanine, reviewing the original structural arrangement, load paths, and supporting members. The calculations focused not only on the overall loading capacity of the mezzanine floor, but also on how the concentrated loads from the tanks would be distributed through the floor deck, secondary beams, primary beams, and supporting columns.

Particular attention was given to ensuring there were no weak points or gaps within the load path that may not have been considered during the original mezzanine design. To reduce the localised loading effects from the tanks.

Following completion of the structural calculations, SWJ Consulting confirmed that the existing mezzanine floor was suitable for the proposed anodising equipment, provided the spreader beams were installed in accordance with the recommended layout. These beams help distribute concentrated loads across a wider area of the floor structure, reducing stress on individual structural members and improving overall load transfer through the mezzanine system.

SWJ Consulting provided detailed guidance and a plan for the beam layouts ensure the installation could be completed correctly and the mezzanine could safely accommodate the new operational requirements.

This project highlights the importance of carrying out structural loading assessments whenever manufacturing equipment or plant is added to existing mezzanine floors. Early involvement from SWJ Consulting allowed the client to proceed with confidence while avoiding unnecessary strengthening works or operational risks.

Read another example of our work with mezzanine floors.

If you have a similar project, or any structural concerns you’d appreciate some advice on, then give SWJ Consulting  a call on 01993 225085 (Witney, Oxfordshire) or 02381 920656 (Southampton) or email mail@swjconsulting.co.uk