Warehouse Building
Types, design, and cost for warehouses and hangars. El-Eman Office provides surveying and construction services.
Choosing the hangar system by use
The cost of building a warehouse is affected more by its use than by its size. A warehouse for timber or heavy tools differs from a food warehouse, which needs thermal insulation and higher cleanliness, and from a cold store, which needs insulated walls and special doors. The storage height and the type of racking set the internal height and column spacing, and the way forklifts load determines aisle width and floor strength. These requirements should be settled before the structure is designed, so the owner does not face costly changes after operation begins.
What raises or lowers the cost of a hangar
- Clear span between columns: the wider the span, the more steel is needed, but the fewer columns obstruct movement.
- Height: more height increases the amount of steel and cladding.
- Type of cladding and insulation: single-skin sheet is cheaper than sandwich panel but gives no thermal insulation.
- Concrete floor: its thickness and reinforcement depend on loads and equipment traffic.
- Soil and foundations: weak soil requires larger foundations or improvement.
- Fittings: large doors, loading docks, lighting, firefighting and ventilation.
Why levels and axes matter in steel buildings
A prefabricated steel building demands high precision in the position of every base and anchor bolt, because the columns are made in the factory to fixed dimensions. Any error in setting out the axes or in foundation levels means difficult erection or adjustments on site. Floor levelness affects forklift movement and the placing of racking, and the calculated slopes affect the drainage of wash water and rain. The axes and levels are therefore checked before casting and again after the floor is cast.
- Define the type of goods, the handling method and the height required.
- Carry out the land survey and soil investigation.
- Compare offers by steel specification, cladding and delivery time.
- Review the offer's extras: doors, ventilation, lighting and floor works.
Planning movement inside the warehouse
A warehouse's efficiency is measured by how quickly and easily goods move. The size of doors, the number of loading docks and the manoeuvring yard are set by the dimensions of the trucks that will enter. Aisle widths affect which forklifts suit. Separate zones are needed for receiving, storage, sorting and dispatch so movements do not cross. The floor design must also carry the concentrated loads under rack legs. All of this is studied before fixing the building dimensions, not after, because changing columns or floors after operation is costly and disruptive.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a hangar?
Usually yes. Industrial and storage buildings have requirements relating to the activity, the zone and civil defence, so enquire before starting.
Which is better, a steel or a concrete hangar?
Steel is faster and better for large spans; concrete suits cases needing special durability, insulation or heavy loading. The decision depends on the use.
How do I avoid cost surprises?
With a written agreement on the scope of work and specifications, and by not leaving the floor, foundations and electrical work out of the offer without clarification.
