Manufacturing has a huge impact on the way modern society operates. Everything falls within this sector of business, whether it be knitting textiles, steel production, or oil extraction. For these operations, you need the right factory setting. It’s easy to assume that there is only one type of factory, but that is not true. In fact, there are various types of industrial factories design-wise much like how there is an assortment of manufacturing industries. If you are thinking of starting a factory renovation project, you need to know about the different types.
Single-story building
Single-story factory buildings are common when it comes to the types of industrial factories. They usually have different roof structures, ranging from flat to bowstring, among others. These buildings are typically used where the land is relatively cheap and factory growth is expected. Additionally, where there is a requirement for heavy machinery to conduct processing.
There are many advantages to this type of building. It is easy to expand and there is better flexibility in the layout. Moreover, the roof can supply natural light and ventilation and the foundations required are quite light. Single-story buildings typically require less time to assemble and because floor-to-floor movements are not necessary, material handling costs are low. Plus, having a one-floor level makes for easier supervision. There are hardly any mechanical vibrations and the installation of heavy machinery is achievable. Isolating obnoxious and/or hazardous areas is effortless and you won’t lose any space due to elevators and stairs.
Building costs are significantly lower in comparison to multi-storey factories of the same gross area. Few columns are needed and there is less of a risk for serious fire damage. The operating costs are not as large, plus equipment and building maintenance is easy.
The disadvantages of a single-story building include the fact that they do not make the most effective use of land. That is to say, they require a lot of land and the layout is not overly compact. It is impossible to employ gravity for material handling purposes. Additionally, offices and stores take up a majority of valuable production floor space.
Multi-story building
Factory buildings with multiple stories are also prevalent among the various types of industrial factories. They are often used where the cost of land is quite high. Moreover, they are commonplace in process industries like fertilizers, chemicals, refineries, and floor mills
Advantages of a multi-story factor include providing different material handling benefits where gravity can move goods. They offer maximum operating floor space per square metre of land and involve a much lower site cost for production areas. Additionally, they require less land and they make efficient use of the amount they occupy. On top of that, they create a compact layout. Top stories can be utilized as light stores and offices, which increases the production floor’s size on the ground level. Last but not least, the heating costs are low.
As for disadvantages, handling materials can be expensive for the bulkier ones. Additionally, it takes more time for people and materials to transit from one floor to another. Stairways and elevators reduce the effective area, thus boosting the cost per square meter of usable space. For that matter, more stories mean a higher cost of foundations. Furthermore, natural illumination in a multi-story building’s center is poor. Making alterations to the upper floors’ width and length (for expansion purposes) is impossible.
High bay and monitor type building
These factories are essentially single-story buildings. They provide maximum overheard space for given floor space and operating cranes can go into this overhead space. Two notable advantages of this design are natural ventilation and illumination. Examples of this type of industrial factory are foundry and steel mill buildings.
Buildings of a special type
Special type buildings are sometimes a combination of singular-story, multi-story, and high bay or monitor type buildings. Being an amalgamation of the various types of industrial factories, the overall design of a special type building may accommodate a specific process. It is important to note that these buildings are generally inflexible, becoming obsolete as soon as the process changes.
Final thoughts on industrial factories
Building a factory is much different from building a grocery store or car dealership. The core concept of manufacturing boils down to the transformation of raw materials into products that society can use. It doesn’t matter if those materials are organic or inorganic. Because of its significance, you will need to construct the right factory to successfully produce these products. With the different types of industrial factories to choose from, developing your establishment becomes less strenuous. To learn more about industrial construction, consult with our Calgary construction services.