Designing and developing industrial facilities is one of the more complicated aspects of commercial development. The right team of surveyors and civil engineers can help you achieve your vision and goals once you determine what you need. Here’s some useful background information about the essentials of industrial projects so you can get started with initial planning.

What Does the Design of Industrial Facilities Entail?

Because of their size and functional requirements, industrial facilities pose a number of site development complications. Architects and engineers must work together to accommodate heavy traffic and heavier loads, not to mention the unique demands of the facility. For example, a warehouse development must be designed to accommodate floor-to-ceiling shelving and continuous forklift traffic. A manufacturing plant may have unique specifications for ventilation. 

Regardless of the type of industrial structure, the initial planning stages will be same. After identifying a site, confirm the location is zoned for industrial development. Also, confirm there are no additional restrictions that could inhibit operations. If you’re building a plant that will produce waste, for example, how will the plant handle waste disposal? Once you’ve determined the site for your development will suffice, it's time to come up with the schematics for the building. 

What Factors Affect Construction Costs?

Cost inevitably plays a role in the design process. A full-service civil engineering firm will estimate construction costs during preliminary planning stages. If the quote is higher than anticipated, your designers will help you devise solutions for reducing costs. A firm well versed in local climate of construction can be very useful in designing to minimize costs.

Consider operating costs during the design stage, too. Installing solar panels may be a larger-than-anticipated expense upfront but could save a significant amount each year in utility bills. Some upgrades not initially allocated could end up paying for themselves. 

For help with developing and designing industrial projects, turn to Abercrombie & Associates, Inc. in Cincinnati, OH. Since 1976, their commercial development team has been helping clients across the Tri-State design functional industrial buildings. Because they utilize all the latest technology, they can take on even the most challenging projects. To learn more about their engineering and design services, visit their website. To discuss your commercial development project with a knowledgeable member of their team, call (513) 385-5757.