# A Guide to Fitting Out an Industrial Warehouse from Scratch
Fitting out a new warehouse is not simply buying racking and putting it in place. It is a complete engineering project that demands careful planning. This guide takes you through it step by step.
## Phase 1: Operational feasibility study
Before anything else, define precisely:
- What is the nature of the stored goods? (sizes, weights, temperature requirements)
- What is the maximum daily receiving and dispatch rate?
- Do you need FIFO or LIFO?
- What is the maximum number of SKUs to be stored?
## Phase 2: Engineering design
- Map the flow of goods from the receiving gate through to shipping
- Define receiving, sorting, storage, preparation and shipping zones
- Calculate aisle count and width against the forklift types in use
- Select the right racking system for each zone
## Phase 3: Infrastructure
- Industrial flooring: the required load rating
- Electrical: industrial LED lighting load plus forklift charging
- Lighting: lux requirements for the picking area
- Fire suppression: system type according to the goods stored
- Ventilation: critical for chemical warehouses
## Phase 4: Racking and equipment installation
- Install in a logical sequence that does not obstruct other works
- Load testing before commissioning
- Fit floor guards and safety markings
## Phase 5: Trial operation
- Train the operations team on equipment and routes
- Test full receiving and dispatch cycles
- Review bottlenecks before going live
Warehouse fit-out
A Guide to Fitting Out an Industrial Warehouse from Scratch
Detailed, practical steps for fitting out a new industrial warehouse — from study and planning through to day one of operations.