VWR West Coast Distribution Center

Sector: Industrial

VWR-West-Coast-Distribution-CenterWhen VWR International, LLC, a global solutions provider of laboratory supplies, equipment and services, decided to build a new distribution center in Visalia, California, VWR hired Fisher Engineering, Inc. (FEI) to provide third-party oversight of the project’s fire protection and life safety features.

The 500,000-square foot facility is used for storage and distribution of laboratory supplies and chemicals. It encompasses a 30,000-square foot room for flammable and combustible liquids, a 5,000-square foot room for storage of oxidizers, a 30,000-square foot room for storage of health hazards, and a two-story, 20,000-square foot office building. The remainder of the facility serves as general warehouse space. It houses more than 90 employees.

For the project, FEI developed a conceptual fire protection strategy, met with local building and fire officials to present that strategy, and reviewed the architect-engineer’s construction documents for strategy compliance. FEI reviewed submittals for the fire pump, fire sprinkler, foam-water fire sprinkler, firm alarm, and gas detection systems while also performing in-progress installation review and witnessing acceptance testing of all of these systems. FEI also provided training on the building’s design and operations to building inspectors and city fire operations personnel.

Owner

VWR International, LLC

Client

Epstein

Location

Visalia, CA

Services Provided

  • Conceptual strategy development
  • Third-party oversight
  • Construction document review for compliance
  • Submittal review
  • In-progress installation review
  • Witness acceptance testing
  • Training

Construction Cost

$40 million

Size

500,000 SF

Completion Date

2012