Warehouse Power, HVAC & Sprinkler Requirements You Must Verify

Rent and clear height get the attention, but building systems — power, HVAC and sprinklers — are what actually determine whether a warehouse can run your operation. Verify these before you sign.

Electrical service

Modern GTA distribution warehouses typically deliver 347/600V 3-phase service. Smaller flex units may deliver 120/208V or 120/240V. What you need depends on your equipment:

• Standard lighting and office: 120/208V or 120/240V.
• Conveyors, fork trucks chargers, small motors: 347/600V.
• Automation, robotics, large chillers, heavy machinery: 347/600V with substantial amperage.

Confirm available service size (in amps) as well as voltage. Upgrading service can take 6–12 months and cost $100k+.

Sprinklers and commodity class

Sprinkler system design must match your stored commodities. The big distinction is:

• Wet-pipe / standard: sufficient for low commodity classes (Class I–II).
• ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response): required for higher commodity classes, high-piled rack storage, plastics, aerosols.

An ESFR system typically supports storage up to 40’+ without in-rack sprinklers. If the building only has wet-pipe, your storage height and commodity class are limited regardless of clear height. An Ontario Fire Code review is non-negotiable.

HVAC and heating

Most GTA warehouses use rooftop gas-fired unit heaters for heating, with minimal cooling in the warehouse body (office areas are independently HVAC’d). Ask:

• BTU capacity and number of unit heaters.
• Age and condition.
• Whether any cooling is installed in the warehouse body.

If you need temperature-controlled or refrigerated space, expect significant additional cost — this is a specialty sub-class of industrial real estate.

Floor load capacity

Older warehouses may have 100–150 psf floor capacity. Modern distribution deliver 500+ psf superflat floors designed for VNA racking and heavy pallet loads. Under-capacity floors limit racking height and machinery placement.

Backup power

If your operation is mission-critical (cold storage, data, e-commerce fulfillment), confirm generator size, fuel capacity and automatic transfer switch coverage. Most generic warehouses do not include backup power.

Your checklist

1. Electrical service voltage and amperage (with single-line diagram).
2. Sprinkler system type (ESFR vs. wet-pipe) and commodity class rating.
3. HVAC: rooftop unit heater capacity, cooling (if any), office units.
4. Floor load capacity in psf.
5. Backup generator presence and coverage.

You can shortlist GTA warehouses by size and clear height on WarehouseIndex, then verify building systems during your LOI and due diligence.