We sometimes see industrial spaces with mezzanine levels for certain industrial buildings. However, is it possible to add a mezzanine level to your existing single level unit? If your brand new industrial unit comes with a mezzanine when u collected the keys from the developer, it could likely be that prior approval has been obtained for the construction of mezzanine. However, for completed buildings without mezzanine, it may not be possible to add a mezzanine level due to various reasons.
Increased Gross Floor Area
As building a mezzanine level may result in an increase in the gross floor area of the development and that a building usually has a maximum allowable gross floor area or GFA, other approvals and clearance may have to be sought for and obtained before constructing any mezzanine level. Void areas are also not considered as part of the gross floor area.
Other Approvals May Be Required
Approvals from authority such as the URA may have to be sought since there may an increase in gross floor area. Apart from relevant authority’s approval, approval from the building management or MCST may also have to be sought.
Some Sprinklers May Not Reach Certain Areas
Approvals aside, building a mezzanine level may also result in the fire sprinkler system not being able to reach the area below the mezzanine area. This would affect the fire safety of the industrial space. In worst case scenarios, it may also void fire insurance policies since no proper fire safety measures are in place when a fire occurs.
Can Consider Approved Racking Systems for Goods
If your company would like to maximise the available area or ceiling height within the warehouse or factory unit, you may consider approved racking systems which can allow your company to have more storage space that would not affect the gross floor area of the development.
This may be a better option as it would help to solve the problem without involving the gross floor area of the building. An experience and reliable racking contractor would be able to advise your company on what would be the ideal approved racking system for your industrial space.