Steel structure platforms, also known as working platforms, adopt fully assembled construction with flexible design and are widely used in storage industry. Fabricated with steel sections and steel plates into beams, columns and deck components, connected by welding, bolts or rivets. They cost more than clip-on mezzanine rack platforms. Both mezzanine rack platforms and steel platforms can be custom-made.
1. Composition & Classification
Composition: Deck plates, primary & secondary beams, columns, inter-column bracing, access ladders and safety railings.
Classification
- By application: indoor / outdoor platforms, static-load / dynamic-load platforms, auxiliary production platforms, medium & heavy-duty operation platforms.
- By support type:
① Platforms mounted on corbels or brackets of factory columns, usually for safety walkways or simple medium-duty operation;
② Platforms supported on factory columns or building walls on one side, with free-standing columns on the other side;
③ Platforms supported on large equipment;
④ Fully self-supporting steel platforms.
For platforms with heavy dynamic loads or heavy equipment, a separated design is recommended, supported solely by independent columns and isolated from factory main columns.
2. Layout Principles of Steel Platforms
- Meet process requirements and guarantee clear passage: minimum clear passage height ≥1.8m. 1m-high safety railings shall be installed around platforms. Where platform height exceeds 2m, toe boards of 100–150mm height shall be fitted below railings. Access ladders with width ≥600mm shall be provided.
- When defining plane dimensions, elevation, beam grid and column grid, besides operational requirements, concentrated equipment loads and hanging of large-diameter industrial pipes shall be considered.
- Layout shall be economical with clear load transfer path. Beam grid spacing shall match beam spans. Make full use of allowable span of deck plates to optimize steel consumption.