Master Lock Co., Milwaukee, WI

PortaFab provides custom-fit solution to Master Lock Co.'s portable office space needs

40' x 100' mezzanine building, with 9' ceiling, designed to house foreman's offices.

Mezzanine design required that building be custom fit to a concrete block structure that enclosed the stairway up to the office.

The Situation
When Master Lock Co., a leading manufacturer of security locks, needed to add quiet workspace to be used for foreman's offices in their Milwaukee plant, some unique building code requirements had to be met.

It was determined that a mezzanine location for the offices would be the best solution, and that is when the unusual code requirements came up.

"The building code required that the unit have an exit through an existing fire wall at the mezzanine level," explained the manager of special projects at Master Lock Co. "Also, the stairs leading up to the exit needed to be surrounded by a concrete enclosure. That meant we had to have a building system that could be custom-fit to these specifications, within our designated budget."

Master Lock was looking for a building system that would give them some flexibility for future planning and wanted something that could be easily expanded.

The Evaluation
With their building objectives outlined, Master Lock Co. contacted the local distributor of PortaFab and asked for a recommendation to meet his needs.

Since Master Lock Co. had all the building drawings put together for what they wanted, PortaFab determined that a nonprogressive system would be needed to give them the flexibility they wanted to change or expand the building later on.

Since there would be multiple offices within this sizeable installation, sound reduction was an important requirement, as well as flexibility to conform to Master Lock Co.'s particular requirements.

PortFlex 3 with Fire & Sound Control option was the PortaFab system recommended. Nonprogressive construction of this modular 3" wall system would allow fast, easy modification or relocation. The Fire & Sound control option would not only be noncombustible, but also provide the reduced sound levels desired for individual offices.

The Solution
A PortaFab modular system with fire & Sound Option was used for the structure, with installation handled by the PortaFab distributor. Interior panel surfaces were vinyl finished with painted steel exterior panel surfaces.

The PortaFab system effectively met all the necessary safety design requirements without sacrificing appearance. And, the Fire & Sound Option also provided sound reduction that would allow for a quiet working atmosphere, even in the middle of a busy factory.

"We're really satisfied with our new offices," a Master Lock company spokesman said. "A lot of people probably wouldn't have bid a job this complicated, but PortaFab was able to work through all the special demands to deliver what we needed."

"The price was right too," he added. "It's nice to get exactly what you pay for."

Custom-fit for your building needs
In the ever-changing and expanding world of industry, it's comforting to know that there are still products in existence designed to meet you needs for flexibility. PortaFab is a quick, cost-effective solution for companies with growing working environments.

PortaFab buildings are versatile enough to be used in virtually any single-story application - including large multi-offices. And they are flexible enough so that changes or repairs can be made in minutes without disturbing normal workflow.