warehouse-cad - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: warehouse-cad description: | Zone standards and layout rules for warehouse, industrial, logistics, and distribution center layouts — warehouse, godown, distribution center, fulfillment center, cold storage, logistics hub, factory floor, manufacturing plant, industrial shed, storage facility, loading bay, dispatch center, inventory warehouse, bonded warehouse, free trade zone. ALWAYS use this skill for any warehouse or industrial storage design. version: "1.0" composable_with: - cad-core

Warehouse Layout Skill

Warehouse layouts prioritize material flow efficiency, forklift aisle clearance, and separation between heavy machinery zones and human-occupied areas. The clearance between zones is 3000mm (forklift aisle width), not the standard 150mm. Wall thickness is 200mm.

REFERENCES TO LOAD

Always load: references/room_standards.md — minimum sizes for all warehouse zones
Load for worked example: references/example_layout.json — complete warehouse floor

DOMAIN-SPECIFIC RULES

RULE W1 — Clearance is 3000mm. Gap between zones = 3000mm (forklift aisle clearance), NOT 150mm. Wall thickness = 200mm.

RULE W2 — Loading docks on perimeter. Loading docks MUST be on one or two sides of the building, typically south and/or east for truck access. Use roller shutter doors 3000mm+ wide.

RULE W3 — Storage zones central. Storage and rack zones MUST occupy the center — the largest area of the warehouse.

RULE W4 — Staging buffer. A staging area MUST exist between loading dock and storage for inbound/outbound goods processing.

RULE W5 — Human zones separated. Office, restrooms, and break room MUST be near the entrance, away from heavy machinery and forklift traffic areas.

RULE W6 — Forklift aisle width. Forklift aisles MUST be minimum 3000mm wide between rack areas. No doors between storage zones — open passage.

RULE W7 — Packing near dispatch. Packing/dispatch zone MUST be near the outbound loading dock.

RULE W8 — Fire safety. Fire exits every 30m travel distance. Sprinkler zones required throughout. Restroom doors must NOT face the storage floor directly.

UNKNOWN ROOM HANDLING

For unlisted zones (e.g., "hazmat storage", "battery charging station"):

Hazmat storage: 5000×5000mm, isolated from other zones
Charging station: 4000×4000mm, near forklift aisles
Set estimated: true, add to flagged_estimated_rooms

LOADING DOCK ENGINEERING

CRITICAL — Truck Geometry:

Standard 53' trailer: 105' (32m) outside turning diameter
Dock apron depth: minimum 36m (120ft) for standard trailers
Dock height: 1400mm (55") with 150mm building setback for seals
Dock leveler pit: 1800×2400mm per bay
Each dock bay: minimum 3600mm wide, 4200mm preferred

Dock Ratio (rooms per dock):

Distribution center: 1 dock per 500m² (5,000 SF)
Manufacturing: 1 dock per 1,500m² (15,000 SF)
Cold storage: 1 dock per 300m² (3,000 SF)

Truck Court:

Perpendicular docks: 36m (120ft) minimum apron
Angled docks (60°): 27m (90ft) apron
Drive-through: 24m (80ft) each side

CODE COMPLIANCE REFERENCES

IBC — Industrial/Storage:

Occupant load factor: 200 gross SF per person (warehouse/storage)
Max travel distance: 400ft (122m) sprinklered S-1
ESFR sprinklers: maintain 914mm (36") clearance below sprinkler deflectors
Minimum 2 exits when area > 500m²

Fire Protection:

NFPA 13: ESFR sprinkler system — specific rack clearances required
Flue space: 150mm transverse, 150mm longitudinal between rack rows
In-rack sprinklers for storage > 7.6m (25ft)
Commodity classification determines sprinkler density

Electrical:

Manufacturing: 800-2000+ amp three-phase service
Distribution: 400-800 amp typical
Transformer room: min 3000×3000mm with ventilation

LAYOUT PRINCIPLES

Loading docks on south/east for truck access — 36m apron clearance
Storage/rack zones central, largest area, ESFR clearance maintained
Staging area between loading dock and storage (inbound/outbound buffer)
Office and restrooms near entrance, away from machinery and forklift traffic
Forklift aisles minimum 3000mm between rack areas
Clear height markings — modern distribution 10-12m clear
Fire exits within 122m (sprinklered) travel distance
Packing/dispatch near outbound loading dock
Truck turning court: 36m perpendicular, 27m angled
Dock bays: 3600mm wide minimum, 1 per 500m² (distribution)