Warehouse Design - Dock High or Grade Level? Why not both?

No matter what your intended use, warehouses can be designed to accommodate multiple uses or changes in the operations of the intended user.

A warehousing facility that features both grade level (street level) and truck dock height loading offers many advantages:

- Flexible functionality for any future occupant, owner, or tenant.

- Walk in entry level to offices for employees and visitors.

- Street level entry into an office space provides a easier access to customers.

- Enhanced flood protection over grade level alone warehouses for inventory and office equipment.

- Savings in the cost of construction over full dock height construction.

- More efficient operations where receiving requires truck or rail car unloading and shipping must be at street level.

- Higher real estate resale values and marketability to a much wider range of users for sale, lease, or sublease.

Designers of a freestanding warehouse/office building and industrial park structures can specify a floor level about 2 inches to 2 feet above grade.  If truck loading is a requirement, a shallow truck well can be incorporated into the design.  For street level access, a sloped ramp can be constructed. Both ramps and wells should be long enough for level and safe use. Sump pumps are an excellent feature for truck wells.

Street level access can be incorporated into the design of building fronts with dock high loading capabilities in the rear.  Future tenants can be accommodated by simply filling in truck wells and installing gradual ramps or digging shallow truck wells.

Warehouse/office buildings with multiple access heights can be used by a much wider range of businesses resulting in better flexibility, efficiency, and market value.