Most people might think that commercial and industrial construction are one and the same. An inexperienced person might only see the similarities between the two types of construction, but the fact is there are many differences. In this post we’ll go over some of the main differences between commercial and industrial construction.
Site Considerations
When strategizing the construction site, commercial and industrial sites will usually have very different needs. The location of a commercial site will rely on retail traffic and as such needs to be easily accessible by a large majority of the public. Industrial areas are typically more specialized and often set off of the main thoroughfares normally used by the average person. Industrial sites need to be situated away from residential areas to allow for noise and other types of benign pollution, whereas commercial sites are more likely to be located close to residential areas.
Infrastructure Needs
Both commercial and industrial construction projects will need access to infrastructure systems that are different than those found in residential areas. Access to adequate amounts of electricity, water and heating will be essential for both types of construction. However, industrial projects will typically require greater resources to accommodate heavy equipment and industrial sized gear. Both types of undertakings have requirements that are specific to their needs.
Permits And Legal Requirements
Although commercial projects will ultimately be used by the general public, permits and legal requirements are usually limited to local standards. Approvals will normally be regulated by local zoning rules, engineering specifications and health requirements. On the other hand, although industrial construction projects are also regulated according to local standards, state and federal conditions will also come into play.
Design Considerations
Commercial projects will ultimately cater to the general public, so a construction manager must take into consideration layouts and designs that are attractive and allow for easy access by a wide variety of people. Things like ease of movement and general aesthetics will play major roles in a commercial project. In an industrial project, aesthetics take a backseat to basic functionality. Safety considerations will also be different in each type of setting.
