Industrial Manufacturing Facility Buildings And Construction

Industrial facilities are an integral part of any manufacturing company. It provides a specialized building for manufacturing, packaging, and storing goods.

The construction company plays a crucial part in industrial construction projects- whether a current facility or a new one. Due to their unique specification, industrial building construction requires a skilled and certified general contractor to perfectly execute the design. Luckily, TR Industrial isn’t new to designing and providing high-quality for industrial applications, regardless of the project’s complexity.

Read on as we explore the world of industrial building construction, its processes, and how it compares to commercial construction.

What Is Industrial Construction?

Industrial construction refers to building specialized facilities, such as a warehouse space, power plant, or factory.

It is a complex form of construction because its projects are important infrastructure for manufacturing facilities.

What Is Industrial Construction Used For?

There are three main industrial construction applications:

Residential

Residential properties use industrial construction to lay pipelines, troubleshoot structural issues, and deliver steel building projects.

Commercial

Commercial facilities rely on industrial construction for ventilation systems, drainage pipes, and management of other long term operational costs.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure employs industrial construction to provide essential facilities like street lights, pipelines, and roads.

How Are Industrial Building Construction and Commercial Construction Different?

Industrial and commercial building construction mainly differ by intent but also vary by lot size, traffic patterns, and location.

For instance, location is a defining factor for commercial and industrial facility construction because it directly influences accessibility.

However, the commercial sector places more emphasis on accessibility because customers need easy access to the business.

A retail space or office space will need well-positioned parking lots to maximize visitors. In contrast, many manufacturers focus more on warehouse accessibility than visitor traffic.

Industrial facilities also need easy access, but mostly to get goods and projects from the building to a distribution center.

The design of a building can greatly affect how people interpret its intent. For example, industrial buildings prioritize planning needs by centering designs for semi trailers and not necessarily visitors.

Commercial buildings are often easy to spot. Complete with sectioned offices and easily accessible lots, a commercial building facilitates movement in and out of the complex.

So, the construction company designs the project to attract potential customers and simplify their movement.

One key difference between industrial and commercial facilities is their process design. Commercial projects like retail spaces and offices increase efficiency by making straightforward designs.

For instance, many construction companies use a specific framework for several commercial projects.

In contrast, industrial projects require more technical expertise to function optimally. Construction companies apply different rules, use rarer raw materials, and employ complex designs for industrial structures.

So, it is no surprise that manufacturing and industrial facilities seek out extremely skilled labor.

All heavy industrial buildings need professional plumbing and high-capacity ventilation to deal with the fumes inside the facility. However, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) for manufacturing plants is more complex because it involves heavy ductwork, water lines, and large equipment.

Hence, industrial projects must use professional construction services, as they can better handle heavy machinery and capital intensive equipment.

Though different from industrial MEP, the commercial building construction industry also employs special MEP practices, especially because it receives high foot traffic.

Floor drains and water lines are characteristic of industrial construction, but commercial projects will still need clean air and enough voltage to power the facility.

What is an Industrial Building?

An industrial building is a large facility that stores and manufactures goods and services for economic purposes. They date back to 1790 when English-American Samuel Slater opened the first American textile mill.

History remembers Slater as the “Father of the American industrial revolution” because he introduced British textile technology to the United States and modified it for American use.

Slater’s contribution revolutionized American textile technology and, with help from industrial construction, completely transformed the industry.

What are Industrial Buildings Used For?

Industrial buildings are primarily used as warehouses and storage facilities for manufacturing and industrial companies.

Samuel Slater displayed the economic and financial benefits of industrial building construction and how an industrial building’s warehouse can dramatically scale production.

What are the Different Types of Industrial Buildings?

Industrial buildings are diverse, and they vary depending on their intent and market size. Here are the different types of industrial buildings:

Cold Storage and Refrigeration

A cold storage and refrigeration facility exists to store perishable products like dairy, meat, and produce. Cooling and freezing chambers keep the goods in specific temperatures as they await distribution centers.

Light Manufacturing

Light industries are a type of industrial facility that is less capital intensive. Its industries range from textile, household electronic appliances, and furniture, and the facility usually needs less space and power and few materials to operate.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing plants are built to accommodate the capital intensive equipment required to produce goods and services.

For instance, shipbuilding businesses require a specialized building to store their heavy equipment and machinery.

Such buildings often have a three-phase power supply providing enough voltage for the extensive machinery in the facility.

Manufacturing facilities require heavy ductwork and heavy capacity ventilation to remove harmful chemicals and ensure the free flow of air.

They also feature practical aspects such as pressurized air, storage tanks, and floor drains.

Distribution or Warehouse

Characterized by single-story buildings, distribution, and industrial buildings warehouse facilities are at least 60 feet high and 5000 feet wide. Their defining features are large truck doors, loading docks, and parking lots to facilitate the easy distribution of goods.

What are the Benefits of Industrial Facilities?

Here are some advantages of an industrial facility:

Cost Effective

Industrial building construction can greatly reduce labor costs, especially when the facility utilizes steel structures. Since the steel parts are pre-fabricated, a certified general contractor can slash construction time and cut labor costs of thousands of dollars.

Durability

Using steel in an industrial construction project adds necessary reinforcement to help ward off unforeseen damage. For instance, wood is susceptible to mold, pests, and decay, making the facility a sitting duck for disaster.

Customizable

Using steel in an industrial facility allows the company to adapt the facility to unique design choices. It also supports flexibility, allowing contractors to merge large warehouses into living and office spaces.

Environmentally Friendly

Environmental consciousness isn’t just a construction project trend. It is an essential responsibility for companies looking to construct any building type. Thankfully, steel is a sustainable material that is durable and recyclable.

Planning For Your Industrial Construction Project

Planning for your new facility can be challenging, especially when you don’t have the right industrial contractor.

Process Overview for Industrial Projects

Here is a breakdown of the typical process of an industrial construction project:

Planning

You can never go wrong by planning for future expansions or renovations. Your current facility’s design should enable you to expand later without disruption.

Design

The design of your facility is a preconstruction decision you should make with your contractor. Remember, however, to plan for essential spaces like common areas and storage rooms before focusing on the building’s aesthetics.

Permits 

After choosing the site location, the next step is to acquire the necessary permits and approvals for construction. The process can be tedious and time-consuming, so this is the best time to involve your contractor.

Location

If you’re building a new facility, you must settle on a location first. Industrial plants need plenty of space to allow trailers to easily collect and deliver materials to the site.

Why Should You Choose TR Industrial for the Job?

TR Industrial is a field leader in the commercial and industrial construction industry. Here are a few reasons you should choose TR Industrial for your next industrial construction project:

Increased Efficiency

TR Industrial dramatically increases the efficiency of new facility construction by performing promptly and independently, mapping out a project schedule, and executing the project excellently.

Experts on the Job

Industrial construction applications require MEP to eliminate waste, produce clean air, and ensure smooth processes. Luckily, TR Industrial understands the practical aspects of MEP and how to use exhaust systems to eliminate harmful chemicals.

Flexibility

Sooty industrial buildings are a thing of the past. Instead, modern industrial facilities employ a green building design that uses eco-friendly filtration and electrical systems.

With the expert team on board, your new facility will be equipped to safely deliver fumes out, seamlessly exchanging them for fresh air.

Get Your Free Quote Today!

Your next industrial construction project doesn’t have to be a hassle. Let the specialist team at TR Industrial create and design your new facility while you rest assured of stellar execution. There’s a free quote at the bottom of every page!