MANUFACTURING BUILDING ATTRIBUTES

Manufacturing facilities (also called heavy industrial buildings) are designed to house specialized equipment and machinery used to produce goods or materials. In addition to providing three-phase high capacity, electric power, these industrial properties may include reinforced foundations and slabs, heavy ductwork, pressurized air or water lines, buss ducts, high capacity ventilation and exhaust systems, floor drains, storage tanks for chemicals, gases, hoists, conveyor belts,  and cranes.  Additionally, office space will be incorporated into the structure, and warehousing space dependent upon type of products manufactured together with shipping and dock facilities.

Typically, manufacturing buildings are optimized for the physical layout and configuration for the manufacturing process.  The maximization for utilization of  the space to provide adequate circulation paths for personnel, material handling equipment such as forklifts and hoists.  Wide aisles, lighting design, fire protection, need for mezzanine space, and egress design, daylighting, and security are important design factors.  The design shall also incorporate the dead and live load requirements, including snow, wind, and seismic loads dependent upon the geographic area.  Other important design factors include the appropriate spacing of columns for roof and wall supports, in order to eliminate interference with manufacturing processes, warehousing operations.  Door opening sizes are also important considerations for entry and exit of raw materials and finished products, as well as bay height and clear spans.

Life-safety and health concerns are always important factors.  Necessary measures must be incorporated to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses, trips, falls, electrical safety, fires, as well as exposure to hazardous materials.  Manufacturing facilities have historically contributed to significant numbers of injuries and deaths due to the nature of processes and equipment used.