Rail Gondola
Work Platform Or Mezzanine?
Facility Managers are contacting material handling dealers and purchasing mezzanines for projects when in fact they should be purchasing work platforms. What is the difference you may ask?
Mezzanines are elevated steel structures typically built between two main stories of a building. They are primarily used for storage of goods and have personnel walking on top of them frequently to access the product. They support pallet racking, industrial shelving, cantilever racks, and generally any type of racking system in addition to general floor storage. They may also act as a second floor office if modular offices are installed on them. Typically, they have a pound per square foot requirement of 125 PSF. As such, mezzanines have certain codes designed just for them.
Work platforms are typically built to hold equipment in a manufacturing environment. This equipment is typically above the ground level. Some examples of these are broaching machine platforms, conveyor platforms, etc. Typically a person would access this platform for repair or cleaning purposes only. They are not accessed on a daily basis and their main purpose is to support equipment above ground level.
While mezzanines have specific minimum height clearances and stair width/length regulations, work platforms have clear exemptions from most of these. For example, a mezzanine requires 7 feet 6 inches clear underneath if people are working under it, and the same above it for people walking on it. Also, when installing any type of plastic shelving, gondola shelving or steel shelving, most fire marshals require a 12 inch chase between every 48 inch deep shelving unit.
In the case of a platform being used to support equipment, vessels, etc., the clear height above the equipment may be such that it clears the equipment and has sufficient clearance to accommodate repair or maintenance activities. There is no minimum requirement. The same applies to the clear height above the platform as long as the equipment has sufficient clearance to accommodate repair or maintenance activities. Platforms need not be 125 PSF if a lesser amount will suffice. (Less PSF, less steel, less cost).
One stairway is needed for platforms unless the common path of egress exceeds 75 feet, then a second one is needed. However, you can use spiral stairway, alternating tread stairways or an industrial ladder to achieve egress. Also, stairways for platforms need not be designed for handicap accessibility. When designing and building mezzanines for general storage, International Building Code (IBC) 2006 requires continuous handrails, extended handrails and a 3-rail handrail/kickplate system. Thus, typically it is less expensive to purchase a work platform than a mezzanine of the same size.
There are other smaller differences, but the bottom line is this: define the use of the space you plan on adding to your building, then work with a mezzanine professional to determine the right type of mezzanine or work platform. This would include the weight capacities, footings required (if needed), stairways, work surfaces, access gates and railings.
About the Author
AME Vertical, headquartered in Troy, Mich., provides storage solutions to businesses throughout the United States, and North America. The Company was founded in 2001 and has grown into a multi-million dollar supplier of storage solutions for customers in many industries, including retail, manufacturing, distribution, and engineering services. AME Vertical also supplies thousands of products to the United States Government through its General Services Administration Contract. Visit http://amevertical.com/ for more information on how to effectively use your current storage space.
Rail Gondola
 |
 HO ExactRail CP Rail THREE PACK 65 Mill Gondola Numbers 711 12  US $85.00
|
 Exactrail HO HS 65 gondola Canadian Pacific CP Rail 2 US $34.99
|
 Custom Weathered Athearn 50 CP Rail Gondola 340203 w baled aluminum load NIB US $29.95
|
 Intermountain HO Bathtub Gondola CP Rail White Bar 13 US $29.95
|
 InterMountain HO 47105 CP Rail Bathtub Coal Gondola US $29.95
|
 InterMountain HO 47108 CP Rail Ont Hydro Coal Gondola US $29.95
|
 Exactrail HO thrall gondola TTX Rail Gon 7 US $29.95
|
 Exactrail HO thrall gondola TTX Rail Gon 4 US $29.95
|
 Exactrail HO thrall gondola TTX Rail Gon 9 US $29.95
|
 Exactrail HO thrall gondola TTX Rail Gon 8 US $29.95
|
 HO ExactRail CP Rail 3564 Thrall Gondola 4 355001 US $29.95
|
 IMRC HO SCALE CP RAIL BLACK HYDRO COAL GONDOLA WITH RED WHITE MULTI MARK 350320 US $29.67
|
 IMRC HO SCALE CP RAIL RED HYDRO COAL GONDOLA WITH BLACK WHITE MULTI MARK 349401 US $29.67
|
 HO Exact Rail Thrall 3267 Cu Ft Gondola Canadian Pacific CP 355016 US $27.99
|
 HO Exact Rail Thrall 3267 Cu Ft Gondola CSX 491025 US $27.99
|
 Intermountain 47102 51 HO bathtub gondola Canadian Pacific CP Rail RTR NIB US $27.99
|
 Intermountain 47108 13 HO bathtub gondola Canadian Pacific CP Rail ON Hydro RTR US $27.99
|
 ExactRail Thrall 2244 15 Panel Gondola HeavyTop Cr Con Rail EE 1903 3 603813 US $27.95
|
 ExactRail Thrall 2244 15 Panel Gondola HeavyTop Cr Con Rail EE 1903 4 603817 US $27.95
|
 ExactRail Thrall 2244 15 Panel Gondola HeavyTop Cr Con Rail EE 1903 5 603820 US $27.95
|
 ExactRail Thrall 2244 15 Panel Gondola HeavyTop Cr Con Rail EE 1903 6 603822 US $27.95
|
 HO THRALL 2743 GONDOLA CP RAIL ATLAS 4002 US $25.71
|
 HO THRALL 2743 GONDOLA CP RAIL ATLAS 4001 US $25.71
|
 Atlas HO 4001 Thrall 2743 Gondola CP Rail US $25.50
|
 Atlas HO 4002 Thrall 2743 Gondola CP Rail US $25.50
|
 Lot of 12 HO Scale Rail Cars Side Dump and Gondolas US $19.99
|
How much do I take for 1 month in UK and Europe?
I have paid for Accommodation, tours (most except vatican city, gondola etc) and I have purchased a euro rail pass, through Ireland I am on a paid tour and only have to purchase a couple of meals.
am on quite a strict budget however I don't want to be saying 'I like that but can't afford it' would should I take for a comfortable trip and does anyone have any tips besides going to grocery store (have been told that 1 before 
)
thanks!!!
You'll need to budget a lot more for England than Europe as it is so expensive. e.g. Tower of London 16 pounds, Westminister Abbey-10 pounds, St Paul's-10 pounds.
Plus the public transport is very expensive also. eg- I was in England for 5 days, spent 30 pounds on public transport, and that was even though I was on a 2 day tour. 1 week in Vienna, is 14 euros, and a 24 hour ticket is 5.50euros.
Other tips-if you eat out, get off the beaten trap. You don't have to go far to get away from paying tourist prices. In Rome, check the drink prices-beer can be very expensive. Plus, most places in Italy charge a sit down price, around 1.50=2.00 euros, as well as a corkage fee.
For each city check out their city cards- http://www.rome.info/museums/cards/
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-connected.htm
Some of the cards are more worthwhile than others.
Cheers. have a great holiday.