Guardrails and Mezzagate Installation to Unlock 3,765 SF of Warehouse Space

A Colorado Springs food distributor had a large back-room storage area that was underutilized due to limited access. Western Storage and Handling engineered a solution that created safe forklift access, added structural modifications, and incorporated a mezzanine safety gate system to maximize usable space.

The Challenge: Inaccessible Back-Room Storage Area

The facility had a narrow, enclosed storage space that could only be accessed through a small exterior employee door. The area was difficult to use efficiently and inaccessible to forklifts, limiting its potential for palletized storage.

Key challenges included:

• Limited access through a small exterior door
• No forklift accessibility
• Underutilized square footage
• Need for safe upper-level access
• Compliance with OSHA safety standards

The customer needed a practical solution to convert unusable space into functional warehouse storage.

The Solution: Dock Door Addition, Custom Guardrails, and Mezzagate Safety System

Western Storage and Handling identified an opportunity to access the space directly through the warehouse by cutting a new dock door opening into the existing wall. WSH assisted with engineering and permitting to ensure the structural modification met building requirements.

To ensure safe vertical storage and employee access, WSH fabricated and installed custom guardrails and incorporated a Mezzagate one-way safety access gate for mezzanine-level material handling.

This configuration allowed forklifts to safely place product on the upper level while protecting employees working near the edge of the mezzanine.

Key Features of the Installation

• New dock door access point
• Custom-fabricated steel guardrails
• Mezzagate one-way safety access gate
• OSHA-compliant fall protection system
• Engineering and permitting support
• Professional installation

Results: 3,765 Square Feet of Usable Storage Recovered

The project transformed previously inaccessible space into productive warehouse storage. By improving access and adding proper safety systems, the facility significantly expanded operational capacity without expanding the building footprint.

Project outcomes included:

• 3,765 additional square feet of usable storage
• Safe forklift access to upper-level storage
• OSHA-approved safety system
• Six-week project lead time
• Improved workflow and space utilization

Need to Maximize Underutilized Warehouse Space?

Western Storage and Handling designs and installs guardrails, mezzanine safety gates, and custom access solutions to help you unlock hidden storage capacity safely and efficiently. Schedule a consultation to evaluate how your facility can gain additional usable space.