Attics

[Compass]

Useable attics in steel buildings. Useable, not useable? Please advise

[Mike the Mechanic]

It all depends on the building. Of couse you can find a use for most attic spaces, although you may have to "finish it" first. What you will want to be careful of is getting your storage items too close to electircal equipment and haveing some getting killed by getting too close to one of the wires and touching it. I've seen it happen. So, there will be useable storage attic space and there will be unusable attic storge space.

Mike

[nikeajax]

If you are planning a new building that is handled in the design stage. More or less the weight distribution and "useability" of the attic would be handled much like a mezzanine. 2nd floor metal buildings are more expensive, though.

[matt_75]

What are you going to use it for?

[Compass]

Actually I'm going to use it for a workshop not heavy duty but more as a hobbyist . Through some re-wiring I can get the power I need but some stuff is heavy. I can dissassemble the work bench and take it up in pieces and re-assemble but once that's done the stuff on it will be heavy maybe 600 lbs. in a 6x12 area. Close quarters withe the peak of the roof right there with a 3:12 pitch. Like working the sides of a Quonset hut. Nothing up there yet. Would like to know about reinforcement.
Thank you.
The "Compass" Man