Light Industrial
Last updated: 03-13-2007
Overview
Light Industrial space types are used for the assembly, disassembly, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, and repairing or processing of materials. Light Industrial space types can include but are not limited to spaces for printing, commercial laundry, photographic film processing, vehicle repair garages, building maintenance shops, metal work, millwork, and cabinetry work.
See also Warehouse building type and Warehouse space type.
Space Attributes
Light Industrial space types must be designed to accommodate a structured working environment with a heavy reliance on machinery and technology. Well laid out circulation spaces are crucial to the safety and well being of building occupants, and will also increase productivity. Typical features of Light Industrial space types include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles below.
Functional / Operational
- Account for Functional Needs: Light Industrial space types are often designed with higher bays to take advantage of vertical storage. Utilization of space is maximized while providing adequate circulation paths for personnel and machinery.
- Design for Live Loads: Designs should anticipate the loads of stored materials and associated handling equipment, typically 250 LB/SF. Snow, wind, and seismic loads shall be considered where they are applicable. Racking in seismic areas must be built stronger and be better braced.
- Power and Utility Requirements: While general assumptions about power and utility needs can be made, specific machinery and industrial practices will mandate certain essential steps. Typical electrical requirements for the Light Industrial space types include high voltage service to every shop area and a dedicated circuit for every machine station at 250 SF per machine station. Light Industrial space types typically include one floor drain for every two building bays, as well as sand and oil traps on waste lines.
- Loading Dock: Light Industrial space types are typically designed with one electro-hydraulic dock leveler per every five truck bays.
- Occupancy: Occupancy Group Classification is Factory Industrial Group F-1, Moderate Hazard with sprinklered construction. See also WBDG Secure/Safe—Plan for Fire Protection
Sustainable
- Special HVAC: Provide proper ventilation under all circumstances. Plan for 100% exhaust from storage areas with paint, petroleum, aerosol, or other minor amounts posing moderate hazard storage conditions. Provide carbon monoxide detectors in areas where combustion engines may be present, and combustible gas detection in areas where fuels and combustible gases may be present. Both of these detection systems should be connected to the alarm and exhaust ventilation system. For more information, see WBDG High-Performance HVAC and WBDG Sustainable—Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality.
Secure / Safe
- Hazardous Material Handling: As the storage and handling of hazardous materials may be a common daily activity in the Light Industrial space type, designs can include areas within the space that can accommodate such materials safely.
Example Program
The following building program is representative of Light Industrial space types.
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
| Description Tenant Assignable Spaces |
Qty. | SF Each | Space Req'd. | Sum Actual SF | Tenant Usable Factor | Tenant USF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Spaces | ||||||
| Front Office | 350 | |||||
| Clerk | 1 | 80 | 80 | |||
| General Manager | 1 | 150 | 150 | |||
| Engineering Offices | 1 | 120 | 120 | |||
| Office Support Spaces | 80 | |||||
| Support/File Room | 1 | 80 | 80 | |||
| Tenant Suite (subtotal) | 430 | 1.34 | 575 | |||
| Receiving And Shipping | 4,100 | 1.09 | 4,481 | |||
| Docks | 4 | 400 | 1,600 | |||
| Staging | 1 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |||
| Production | 33,700 | 1.12 | 37,587 | |||
| Unprocessed Inventory | 1 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||
| Processed Lines | 5 | 3,000 | 15,000 | |||
| Machinest Stations | 40 | 300 | 12,000 | |||
| Work in Process Inventory | 1 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||
| Finished Testing | 4 | 500 | 2,000 | |||
| Finished Inventory | 1 | 1,500 | 1,500 | |||
| Maintenance Engineering Shop | 1 | 800 | 800 | |||
| Tool Crib | 1 | 400 | 400 | |||
| Tenant Suite | 38,230 | 1.12 | 42,643 | |||
| Tenant Usable Areas | 42,643 |
Example Plans
The following diagrams are representative of typical tenant plans.
Example Construction Criteria
For GSA, the unit costs for Light Industrial space types are based on the construction quality and design features in the following table (PDF 46 KB, 3 pgs). This information is based on GSA's benchmark interpretation and could be different for other owners.
Relevant Codes and Standards
The following agencies and organizations have developed codes and standards affecting the design of Light Industrial space types. Note that the codes and standards are minimum requirements. Architects, engineers, and consultants should consider exceeding the applicable requirements whenever possible.
Major Resources
WBDG
Building Types
Design Objectives
Accessible—Plan for Flexibility: Be Proactive, Functional / Operational—Account for Functional Needs, Seure / Safe—Plan for Fire Protection, Sustainable—Optimize Energy Use
Publications
- Architectural Graphic Standards, 10th Edition by Charles Ramsey, Harold Sleeper, and John Hoke. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.
