Overview

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The Warehouse space type is designed to store goods and materials, as well as to allow for the regular circulation of occupants, vehicles, and machinery that are typically associated with the handling of these goods and materials. Essential to this space type is the capacity to accommodate vertical storage, space for vehicle material movement, and anticipated high floor loads.

See also WBDG Warehouse Building Type.

two people walking though a warehouse

Space Attributes

A wide range of storage alternatives, picking alternatives, material handling equipment and software exist to meet the physical and operational requirements of a warehouse space type, and proper integration of these features is essential. Warehouse spaces must also be flexible enough to adapt to future operations and storage needs. Typical features of Warehouse 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.

Aesthetics

  • Company/Organization Image: Provide an aesthetically pleasing work environment through the use of company symbols, logos, artwork, and other features that also make the work environment feel clean and safe.
  • Sense of Place: Create a 'sense of place' so the warehouse has a unique character that engenders a sense of pride, purpose, and dedication for individual workers and the workplace community.

Accessible

  • ADA Requirements: Warehouses must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Provide accessible parking, entrances, aisles, and restrooms, etc.
  • Access to Goods and Materials: Design the warehouse space with appropriate storage systems that allow ease of access by workers and equipment to goods and materials. Plan for appropriate systems to reach items at low and high levels within the space and goods and materials with different shelf lives.

Cost-Effective

When warehouse productivity and efficiency are increased, operational costs decrease. Incorporate these strategies to make the warehouse space more cost-effective.

  • Visible Inventory: Ensure that the inventory is accessible and visible, allowing for ease of inventory and fulfillment to reduce costs.
  • Storage Optimization: A fully optimized warehouse will improve traffic flow, reduce loss of stock, and boost productivity, all resulting in overall improved efficiency and reduced costs.
  • Technologies: Incorporate warehouse management systems (WMS) to improve inventory management and visibility. Benchmarking can also be incorporated in order identify the key processes and ways to improve or refine them.

Functional / Operational

  • Efficient Use of Space: Warehouse 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 material handling equipment such as forklift trucks.
  • 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: Differentiate between spaces that require power and utilities, and those that are for storage only. Depending on the goods being stored and handling equipment required, there may be a need for well-distributed power and utility lines throughout the space. Attempt energy efficient lighting when possible. Warehouse spaces typically include one floor drain for every two bays of storage, as well as sand and oil traps on waste lines.
  • Energy-Efficient Lighting: Incorporate energy efficient lighting into all spaces.
  • Proper Drainage: Warehouse spaces typically include one floor drain for every two bays of storage, as well as sand and oil traps on waste lines.
  • Loading Dock: Warehouse space types are typically designed with one electro-hydraulic dock leveler per every five truck bays.
  • Occupancy: Occupancy Group Classification is Storage Group S in Group S-1 or S-2 classifications with sprinklered construction. See also WBDG Secure/Safe—Fire Protection

Productive

  • Personnel: Know the number of employees required, their current levels of training and shift timings, and other related factors to help design the warehouse layout in a way that does not limit the workforce's productivity. Also, the layout must be planned to safely accommodate new employees and future needs.
  • Optimize the Warehouse Processes: Utilize planning and technology to optimize the warehouse processes of receiving, putaway, storage, picking, packing, and shipping. Optimizing these six processes will streamline the warehouse operations, reduce costs and errors, and achieve a higher level of efficiency.

Secure / Safe

  • Life-Safety and Health Concerns: Address traditional life-safety and health concerns including measures to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses (work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), trips, falls, etc.), ensure electrical safety, and eliminate exposure to hazardous materials. The following operations have historically contributed to significant numbers of warehouse injuries and are considered to be the most hazardous: docks, powered industrial trucks, conveyors, materials storage, manual lifting/handling, roof ladders and hatches, and charging stations. Other serious operational safety problems include inadequate fire safety provisions, improper blocking of exits and egress paths, chemical exposure, improper use of lockout procedures, lack of ergonomics, and failure to wear personal protective equipment.
  • Signage: Incorporate proper signage to clearly warn of hazards or to direct personnel to take precautions. The specific strategy for the warehouses signs must be determined early in the facility design process.
  • Surfaces: Possess non-slip surface treatments on floors subject to wetting, such as outdoor docks, to eliminate slips and falls to personnel.
  • Fire Safety: Design with fire sprinkler systems engineered to cover the specific commodity classification in the specific storage configuration for the planned warehouse. The adequacy of the sprinkler system must be evaluated when changes occur that can increase the hazard classification, such as introducing a new product line, using a different packaging material, or changing from wood pallets to plastic pallets.
  • Security Systems: Include appropriate security systems in the overall warehouse design including physical access controls, cameras and sensors, cybersecurity measures, and also provide security training.

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. Plan and provide for regular maintenance of the HVAC systems to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance and replacement costs. For more information, see High-Performance HVAC and Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality.
  • Comfort: Use ceiling mounted fans to reduce heat stratification and provide air movement, thus increasing worker comfort in both summer and winter. Mount fans above highest forklift level for worker safety.
  • Energy Efficiency: Include energy-efficient fixtures, windows, systems, and appliances, e.g., motion sensor instant-on lighting systems, wherever feasible.
  • Insulation: Incorporate wall and roof insulation that meet codes and guidelines for the particular climate zone and operating conditions to achieve maximum temperature regulation and occupant comfort.
  • Water Efficiency: Incorporate water saving fixtures and equipment to protect and conserve water.
exterior picture of sustainable warehouse designed by Chetwoods
empty interior space from sustainable warehouse designed by Chetwoods

Considered to be the world's most sustainable logistics warehouse, this project incorporates building materials which reduce pollutants to air, water, and soil. Healthy, safe materials were specified to enhance the comfort and well-being of all building users. Sensors and smart meters monitor air and water quality, internal noise, lighting, humidity and temperature, occupancy, and occupancy patterns. Optimal thermal comfort maximizes productivity. Photo Credit: Chetwoods

Example Program

The following building program is representative of Warehouse space types.

WAREHOUSE
Description
Tenant Assignable Spaces		 Qty. SF Each Space Req'd. Sum Actual SF Tenant Usable Factor Tenant USF
Office Spaces       350    
Front Office            
    Clerical 1 80 80      
    General Manager 1 180 180      
    Supervisor 1 120 120      
Office Support Spaces       80    
    Support/File Room 1 80 80      
             
    Tenant (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      
             
Warehouse       35,600 1.05 37,536
    Package Disassembly 1 1,500 1,500      
    Package Assembly 1 1,500 1,500      
    Rack Storage 1 20,800 20,800      
    Controlled Storage 2 1,600 1,600      
    Bulk Storage 1 6,000 6,000      
    Inventory Control 2 120 240      
    Dispatcher 1 120 120      
    Forklift Parking 20 112 2,240      
             
    Tenant Suite       40,130 1.06 42,592
             
Tenant Usable Areas           42,592

Example Plans

The following diagram is representative of typical tenant plans.

Utility shell with light industrial space type and warehouse space type

Example Construction Criteria

For GSA, the unit costs for Warehouse space types are based on the construction quality and design features in the following table . This information is based on GSA's benchmark interpretation and could be different for other owners.

Relevant Codes and Standards

Warehouses must be designed to meet all local building, fire, and life-safety codes. When in doubt, consult with the local building official. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also provides guidance for warehouse safety.

The following agencies and organizations have developed codes and standards affecting the design of Warehouse space types. Note that the codes and standards are minimum requirements. Architects, engineers, and consultants should consider exceeding the applicable requirements whenever possible.

Additional Resources

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