7R Glossary
Pole Modulation
What should you know?
In the design of warehouse buildings, the optimal column spacing is a compromise between the cost of the steel roof structure and the operational usability of the interior. The greater the distance between columns, the fewer obstacles there are inside the building, which allows for maximum utilization of the net leasable area (NLA) and easier planning of the production layout.
Traditional warehouses used dense grid layouts (e.g., 12 × 12 m), which drastically limited the possibilities for installing modern racking systems. The contemporary standard for Class A warehouses is based on modular spacing that is a multiple of the width of a standard racking aisle and a Euro pallet, which eliminates so-called dead zones behind the columns.
Pole Modulation in Practice 7R
The warehouses designed by 7R are built using an optimized 12 × 24 m column grid (and, in selected loading zones, a 12 × 22.5 m grid). This layout provides logistics operators with maximum flexibility in arranging aisles and row racks, allowing for the inclusion of both wide aisles (for standard front-loading forklifts) and narrow aisles (for VNA high-lift forklifts) without sacrificing pallet spaces.
the effect of the column grid on the layout of the shelving units
| Criterion | Level of flexibility | Market Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × 12 m | Low (the posts interfere with the aisles between the shelves) | Older Class B warehouses, craft workshops |
| 12 × 22.5 m | Optimal (a multiple of the standard sockets) | Modern distribution centers |
| 12 × 24 m | High (the most popular Class A standard) | Logistics centers, large-scale "Big Box" warehouses |
| Over 24 m | Very tall (requires truss girders) | Dedicated BTS FacilitiesBuilt-to-Suit (BTS)Built-to-Suit (BTS) is a model for developing commercial real estate—most commonly warehouse or industrial properties—that are designed and built from the ground up to meet the specific, individual requirements of a particular tenant. Unlike off-the-shelf speculative space, a BTS facility is custom-built to account for the client’s unique technological processes, warehouse layouts, and technical specifications.Read the full definition →, KEP sorting facilities |
Frequently Asked Questions
The 12 × 24 m layout is perfectly suited to the dimensions of a standard Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm), taking into account handling clearances and the width of working aisles for forklifts. This allows for a specific number of pallet bays to be placed between the rows of columns without wasting space.
In the transshipment area (also known as the dock area), developers often remove the first row of columns, creating an open space up to 24–36 meters wide. This allows for easy maneuvering of goods after unloading, sorting of packages, and the creation of staging areas without the risk of a forklift colliding with a column.