SHEIN’s Indiana B10 warehouse project involved the installation of a Hai Robotics automated storage and retrieval system within a major distribution facility in Lebanon, Indiana. The warehouse includes approximately 737,000 square feet of total floor area. The ASRS racking installation was planned in two phases within the same building, with Phase 1 covering approximately 291,000 square feet and Phase 2 covering approximately 183,000 square feet of automated high-piled storage area.

Engineering Fire Protection, LLC provided fire code consulting, racking permit support, and AHJ coordination services for this complex warehouse automation project. EFP prepared high-piled storage / life safety drawings, fire sprinkler and commodity analysis documentation, rack structural engineering and seismic calculation documentation, emergency lighting and exit signage plans, and permit support materials for the ASRS installation.

A major challenge was that the proposed double-deep ASRS system involved dense automated storage of apparel in polypropylene open-top totes, a configuration that does not fit neatly into a simple prescriptive sprinkler design path. EFP helped the project team present and explain the fire protection approach to the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and local city fire officials, including the use of full-scale fire test information, FM-based design criteria, and project-specific fire protection strategies.

Beyond the initial permit package, EFP helped the business, racking manufacturer, and tenant navigate building code and fire code requirements throughout the approval process. EFP actively addressed AHJ comments related to life safety feature, egress capacity, emergency lighting, temporary construction barriers, phased occupancy, and inspection coordination, helping the team pursue temporary and final certificate of occupancy approvals while minimizing construction and operational delays.