The Business Case for Flat Floors in Industrial and Commercial Properties

Supply chain disruptions, evolving tenant needs, and increased competition continue to impact the industrial and commercial real estate sector. Strategic decision-making ahead of a new facility's construction or rehabilitation of an existing building is what sets the stage for productive operations and a marketable business opportunity. One key decision centers around the type of concrete floor to install. Building owners looking to offer modernized operations  should consider super flat concrete floors as an upfront investment that will drive substantial returns. 

Super flat floors are intended to meet or exceed specific floor flatness and levelness profiles like ASTM E1155 and TR-34; these are indications that the builder made a much higher investment in quality control specific to the floor. Efficient facilities depend on these precisely built concrete floors as robotic systems require a high tolerance of floor flatness and levelness to operate. In a traditional building, processing plant, or parking garage, floor slope is an intentional design choice to accommodate the functional need, which is typically related to hygiene or drainage concerns. With an automated robotic property, however, even slight deviations in flatness and levelness can impact the entire facility’s operations. Service disruptions caused by uneven floors can sideline operations, pose safety risks, and delay orders, impacting the building owner's reputation in an increasingly hostile competitive landscape. 

Flat and level concrete floors boost operational efficiency and space optimization, which translates to higher revenue per square foot.

Long Term Benefits of Flat Floors 

• Better Performance & Reduced Maintenance. Flat and level floors allow robotic systems and autonomous vehicles to navigate correctly and optimize operations. Super flat floors also prevent equipment wear and tear, reducing the need for maintenance repairs or unexpected downtime. 
  

• Safety. All of the equipment found in a facility is in some way dependent on the floor's integrity. Besides the equipment and systems that lift and move goods, storage equipment (racks, shelving units, mezzanines, etc.), packing and shipping workstations, and building systems all rely on a well-constructed surface. Flat floors prevent racks from tipping, shifting, and wobbling, reducing the risk of accidents and inventory damage. 
   
• Efficiency of High-Rack Storage. Many high-bay storage systems require extremely level floors to allow very narrow aisle (VNA) forklifts and turret trucks to operate smoothly. Densely packed e-commerce fulfillment centers, manufacturing facilities, port and freight terminals, and laboratory supply centers rely on efficient VNA configurations to store and access products. Flat floors allow these vehicles to make precise movements and operate safely. 
  
  
• Property Value & Rental Premiums. The growing demand for automation-compatible facilities positions owners for growth. Tenants in sectors such as light manufacturing, e-commerce, and research and development value the efficiencies and safety benefits super flat floors provide and are willing to pay a premium to take advantage of these facilities.  

To get started with super flat floors, use RoboFlat, our advanced concrete floor flatness and levelness testing solution. This cloud-based computational model analyzes large point cloud files and delivers precise results in a variety of formats, allowing building owners to get a full and detailed picture of the condition of their floor. Get started today with a free trial!