New Workshop - Second Level

[undertaker]

so, in my new workshop I am planning on constructing an upstairs to become the office. got loads of head height in the unit so all is good there.

i am told that i can do as i please as long as i don't bare anything too structural off the walls as in hanging timbers off to form the joists, etc so the upstairs has to be completely free standing. i can add a few braces to the wall if needed but not a lot more

we've got 10ft of breeze block wall from the ground up to which metal cladding is then fixed onto a frame to form the top of the unit. hence not having nothing major to fix to.

the deck needs to be 16ft wide (wall to wall of alcove of unit) and have 12 ft underneath it. it will come out level then to the main workshop (alcove is around 11ft depth).

so structure needs to stand 12ft high, be 16ft wide and 11ft deep. a car needs to park underneath so we cannot have any supports in the middle or 1 side (the front).

just looking for ideas?? want to make sure it is doable sensibly without throwing loads of £££ at it.

cheers!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Think I would be toying with the idea of a steel framed support structure with timber building on top, should be plenty of google help on designs and strength requirements etc

 

[the snooper]

dont forget more floor space and they will up the bussiness rates if they find out that is

 

[ronan]

Think I would be toying with the idea of a steel framed support structure with timber building on top, should be plenty of google help on designs and strength requirements etc

+1 , any second level work i have seen has been standing on 4"x4" box section steel , very little to hold it to the main structure at all.

 

[jugs]

So for the front you are looking at a 16ft clear span girder (standing on 12ft legs) supporting 11ft floor beams.

work out what your total loading will be (a full filing cabinet is ukin heavy) x by 2 & get someone to do a beam calc for you.

 

[awemawson]

When we put a smallish mezzanine in a unit some years ago the hardest part was complying with fire regulations. We had to create two exits, one was the normal stair (which had to be steel) and after much persuasion they accepted a fixed metal ladder at the rear but really wanted a second stairway. All load bearing steel has to be painted with intumescent paint to protect it from fire for 30 mins

 

[Shox Dr]

dont forget more floor space and they will up the bussiness rates if they find out that is

I believe that's the reason why he has been told not to fix the structure to the building. Something like free standing it's classed as temporary. That's what I was told by a company I helped install one for as the fire regs, I was told it didn't matter so long as it's for storage only. So with that in mind I'd say you will need to comply with Fire regs

 

[madkayaker]

what about getting a site cabin shiping container that is on stilts?

http://www.portableoffices.co.uk/co...eyword=const&gclid=CJXz85bUiKwCFYYe4QodPGgERw

 

[jugs]

what about getting a site cabin shiping container that is on stilts?

http://www.portableoffices.co.uk/co...eyword=const&gclid=CJXz85bUiKwCFYYe4QodPGgERw

see

we cannot have any supports in the middle or 1 side (the front).

 

[undertaker]

I should hear back soon with the required parts. Fingers crossed!

 

[MG David]

I know someone who has a business that does mezzanine floor and racking solution. If you are interested I could make an introduction.