CODE NAME: Project Nori | Walmart | Confidential Big Box Retailer Automated Fulfillment Center
Project Name
Automated Fulfillment Center
Size (sq ft)
800,000
HEI Project Profile - Long
General Profile At Henderson Engineers, we continue to help our clients push the limits of logistics design. This new, fully automated fulfillment center represents the next generation of smart distribution. Designed to meet the demands of modern e-commerce, the facility integrates advanced automation, sustainable infrastructure, and future-ready vehicle charging systems. Our scope included electrical and building systems design for a complex site that supports both heavy-duty and employee vehicle charging needs. The project features three large yard truck chargers, provisions for 1,000 kVA of Over-the-Road (OTR) truck charging, and 176 electric vehicle chargers for employees – blending operational efficiency with California’s forward-thinking sustainability goals. In alignment with the state’s clean energy vision, the facility was also designed as solar ready, with all infrastructure in place to support 17 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar power across an 11-acre PV field. This forward-looking design allows the owner to seamlessly integrate renewable energy generation in the future, significantly reducing operational carbon impact and long-term utility costs. These charging and energy systems were developed to meet both CalGreen requirements and the owner’s long-term electrification strategy, creating a model for environmentally responsible fulfillment design. As this innovative facility nears completion, it stands as a testament to how Henderson combines technical expertise, regulatory insight, and client collaboration to deliver smart, sustainable, and scalable solutions for the nation’s most advanced distribution networks. Fire Protection Focused (2025 0911 - provided by Cheryl Green) The new distribution center in the Sacramento area is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility that blends automation, sustainability, and safety into a single, integrated design. At its core, the project will feature advanced material handling equipment (MHE) and automated racking systems, creating a highly efficient fulfillment hub capable of serving the region’s growing logistics needs. Because the project is located in California, sustainability is a foundational driver of the design. The facility must comply with both the California State Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) and the California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11). These codes require the project to reduce environmental impact, increase building energy efficiency, and incorporate sustainable construction practices that protect occupant health and safety while supporting the state’s broader energy goals. Equally important are the seismic considerations unique to the Sacramento region. The structural design will account for stringent seismic criteria, including large expansion joints and specialized detailing that may influence architectural finishes, equipment layout, and circulation pathways. Life safety and exit route requirements will also shape the building design. Occupant loads will be carefully calculated to determine egress capacity and plumbing fixture counts, and strategies will be developed to address long travel distances typical of high-bay automated warehouses. Where variances cannot be obtained, alternative egress solutions—such as tunnels—may be required, carrying significant cost implications but ensuring compliance and safety. Fire protection is a central focus of the project. The facility will be fully sprinklered, with redundant water supplies, dual fire pumps, and a looped private fire service main feeding risers and hydrants across the site. ESFR sprinklers will provide primary protection for the warehouse, supplemented by in-rack sprinklers, quick-response sprinklers in office and ancillary spaces, and dry systems for exterior canopies. Fire suppression design will be guided by both NFPA 13 and FM Global standards, with seismic bracing and system zoning tailored to high-piled storage and automation challenges. Additional protections, such as fire suppression under conveyors and interlocked HVLS fans, will further enhance system reliability. UL burn test was conducted to determine a performance-based design to use in the new ASRS racking. Altogether, the project represents a balance between innovation and responsibility—leveraging automation for operational efficiency, designing sustainably in alignment with California codes, and integrating robust life safety and fire protection systems to safeguard people, property, and operations.
Keywords