What design specifications meet modern tenant needs for warehousing or manufacturing?

Modern tenants in warehousing and manufacturing demand facilities that optimize efficiency, compliance, scalability, and technology integration. Design specifications must address operational workflows, automation readiness, and sustainability, while ensuring regulatory alignment across industries. Below are the key specifications that meet current market expectations:

1. Structural and Spatial Design

• Floor-to-Ceiling Height:
  
  • Warehousing: Minimum 10–12 meters clear height for racking and vertical storage.
    
  • Manufacturing: 6–1 meters, depending on equipment and process layout.
    
• Floor Load Capacity:
  
  • Warehousing: Minimum 5–6 tons/m² for racking and forklifts.
    
  • Manufacturing: Up to 10 tons/m² for heavy machinery or production lines.
    
• Column Spacing:
  
  • Optimal bay spacing of 9–12 meters to allow uninterrupted storage or assembly layouts.
    
  • Wide column grids enhance flexibility for automation and AGV movement.
    
• Building Envelope:
  
  • Pre-engineered building (PEB) systems with insulated roofing and side cladding for thermal control.
    
  • Dust- and pest-resistant finishes for sensitive manufacturing or food-grade operations.

2. Loading, Circulation, and Access

• Docking Stations:
  
  • At least 1 dock per 10,000 sq ft. of warehouse space.
    
  • Dock levelers, roll-up shutters, and canopy-covered loading areas are essential.
    
• Driveways and Turning Radius:
  
  • Minimum 12–15 meters turning radius for trailers.
    
  • Concrete-paved internal roads for heavy-duty vehicles and forklifts.
    
• Separate Entry/Exit Gates:
  
  • Dual gate system for inbound and outbound logistics to avoid operational delays.
    
  • Security cabins, boom barriers, and vehicle tracking systems enhance access control.

3. Utility and Infrastructure Provisioning

• Power Supply:
  
  • Load of 50–200 kVA and above, depending on machinery and HVAC needs.
    
  • Dual power feeds and provision for solar installations are increasingly preferred.
    
• Water and Drainage:
  
  • Continuous water supply with storage tanks (min. 20,000–50,000 liters) for domestic and process needs.
    
  • Stormwater and industrial drainage networks are segregated and mapped.
    
• Compressed Air and HVAC:
  
  • Centralized piping for compressed air in manufacturing units.
    
  • HVAC systems for temperature- or humidity-sensitive processes or storage.

4. Technology and Automation Readiness

• Floor Flatness and Leveling:
  
  • Flatness tolerance meeting FF50/FL35 or higher to support AGVs or high-speed conveyor systems.
    
• Smart Building Systems:
  
  • Provisions for IoT-based monitoring, real-time inventory tracking, and energy management.
    
  • High-capacity IT/telecom conduit lines and CCTV systems.
    
• ESG and Green Design Features:
  
  • Natural lighting through skylights, rainwater harvesting, and low-emission construction materials.
    
  • Designed for LEED, EDGE, or IGBC certification if targeting sustainable tenants.

5. Compliance, Safety, and Flexibility

• Fire and Safety Compliance:
  
  • Fire hydrants, sprinklers (as per NFPA/FM standards), smoke detectors, and emergency exits.
    
  • Fire-rated doors, walls, and fire alarm systems with zone-based control.
    
• Zoning and Regulatory Conformity:
  
  • Land and building use approvals aligned with red/orange/green industry classification.
    
  • Space for ETP/STP systems if required by regulatory agencies.
    
• Modular and Expandable Layouts:
  
  • Future scalability through phased design or expansion-ready side bays.
    
  • Demarcated utilities and service corridors for easy upgrades and retrofitting.