In Alpen aan de Rijn, Technische Unie, a wholesaler of technical solutions for installation and industry, has driven the first pile for the expansion of their DC. On the same site, additional buildings have been added over the years, but the current expansion is unique because of the 7,700 square meters! A beautiful, sustainable building with the necessary challenges in which we were able to make a big difference with our construction advice.
This manifests itself in fire safety. Because when we started the project there was a preliminary design for fire safety reasons with a hybrid construction consisting of concrete columns and steel roof trusses. After consultation with the architect and contractor, it was decided to make the hall entirely of steel. This was the better solution both in terms of execution and financially and did not compromise fire safety. Because of the first floor at 14.4 meters, Extra Secured Escape routes (EBV) are required, the two present stairwells are therefore completely separate structures with a fire separation of 60 minutes between the stairwell and the hall.
CHALLENGES ARE THERE TO BE MET
The adjacent existing hall 4 also contains an automated system with the server room on the side of the expansion hall 6. The equipment in this room is sensitive to vibration. A vibration prognosis study was conducted for this purpose. In the end, traditional prefabricated piles were chosen, with the first pile being driven on a Saturday. At the time of the piling, the servers were switched off and vibration meters were installed to closely monitor vibrations caused by the piling. In the end, the vibrations were well within acceptable limits and did not cause any obstructions. So that means a safe future for the Technische Unie and the owner of the building; parent company Sonepar Nederland Vastgoed BV.
PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE
In the hall there is a first floor with office spaces at a height of 14.4 meters. Part of the hall will be equipped with an automated storage system with three levels of built-in floors. In the remaining part of the hall, traditional racking will be installed, but expansion of the automated system should also be possible. User-friendly and expandable, but also sustainable. Because the entire roof of the distribution center is suitable for installing PV panels; the steel structure takes into account the extra weight of these panels and required ballast.
AND BY….
So the piling has started, now it’s up to the contractor. We will remain involved until delivery to monitor the construction and act as advisors when questions arise during construction. And that’s the fun part of our job: seeing our drawings become reality.