Most clients think of a warehouse as just a "box" — and forget that inside there must be proper working conditions: an office for managers, changing rooms and showers for workers, toilets, and a canteen. In Almaty this is not just a comfort issue — it is a requirement of Kazakhstan's labour legislation and sanitary standards for facilities with permanent staff. Let's look at what the interior rooms of a warehouse are built and equipped with.
SN RK 3.02-29-2023
standards for administrative and welfare facilities
mandatory requirements for areas, ventilation, and restrooms for industrial facilities
1–1.5 m²
cloakroom area standard per 1 worker
minimum per SanPiN RK for industrial and warehousing facilities
8–12%
share of interior finishing in the warehouse budget
with a full administrative and welfare block (AWB)
GKL + PIR
optimal solution for partitions in Almaty
drywall on seismic-resistant frame + PIR insulation between warehouse and office
Regulatory Requirements for Warehouse Welfare Facilities
What Is Mandatory Under Kazakhstan Law
Per SN RK 3.02-29-2023 ("Public Buildings and Structures"), Kazakhstan's Labour Code, and sanitary standards, with the following number of workers:
Up to 10 people (small warehouse):
- Toilet: minimum 1 stall separately (M/F)
- Washbasin: 1 per 15 workers
- Eating area: not required to be a separate room, but one must exist
10–25 people:
- Separate M/F toilets
- Washbasins: 1 per 7–10 people
- Cloakroom: lockers with locks
- Eating area (canteen / rest room)
25–100 people:
- Full AWB (administrative and welfare block): cloakrooms, showers, toilets, rest room, first aid room (for 50+)
When working with chemical/hazardous substances:
- Showers with hot water mandatory
- Separate lockers for work and home clothes
- Decontamination stations
Additional Requirements for Almaty: Seismics
In buildings with load-bearing steel frame structures in the 9-point seismic zone (Almaty), internal partitions must be seismic-resistant. This means:
- Rigid brick partitions without anchorage to the frame — not permitted
- Drywall (GKL) partitions on a steel frame with anchorage to load-bearing structures — preferred
- Fully assembled partition systems (Knauf, Gyproc) — certified for seismic-resistant use
Planning Solutions: Where to Place the AWB
Built-in AWB (mezzanine type)
The most common solution for Almaty warehouses:
- AWB occupies part of the warehouse volume at a mezzanine level (+4–5 m from the floor)
- Below the mezzanine — warehouse zone or picking zone
- Access — directly from the warehouse or from the end of the building
Pros: does not take additional plot area, saves on perimeter walls.
Cons: in case of fire — difficult evacuation; fire calculation required.
Attached AWB (separate block)
- AWB is a separate building adjoining the end of the warehouse
- Connected via an airlock vestibule
- Separate heating and ventilation
Pros: independence from warehouse operations, easier to maintain the temperature regime.
Cons: more expensive (separate foundation and roof), takes up area.
Mobile Modules (container blocks)
- Ready-made office blocks made of sandwich panels or metal containers
- Installed inside the warehouse or adjacent to it
- No project required (up to certain dimensions)
For Almaty: mobile modules are a quick solution, but over the long term they lose out to a capital AWB in thermal performance and seismic resistance.
Partition Materials
Drywall (GKL) on Metal Frame — Optimal for Almaty
For office partitions in a steel-frame warehouse in Almaty$2, the best choice is gypsum board partitions per the Knauf system or equivalents.
| System type | Application | Thickness | Installation cost (₸/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knauf W111 (single frame) | Office partitions | 125 mm | 8,000–12,000 |
| Knauf W112 (double frame) | Sound insulation, inter-zone | 150 mm | 10,000–15,000 |
| Knauf W115 (double sheet) | Enhanced strength | 125 mm | 9,000–14,000 |
| Moisture-resistant GKL (GKLV) | Restrooms, showers | 125 mm | 9,000–13,000 |
Seismic resistance: Knauf systems have passed testing per SN RK 2.03-30-2017; use per instructions ensures seismic resistance up to 9 points with correct anchorage to the building structure.
Brick Partitions
In steel-frame warehouses, brick partitions are not recommended because:
- Heavy weight → load on the warehouse floor
- During seismic action — risk of cracks and collapse without special reinforcement
- Require a separate foundation or a reinforced floor slab
If brick is still used (e.g. for load-bearing purposes) — reinforcement is mandatory every 4 courses and reliable anchorage to the frame.
Sandwich Partitions
- Steel sandwich partitions (panels with PIR or MW core)
- Fast installation without wet works
- Good thermal insulation (between the warm AWB and cold warehouse)
| Thickness | λ, W/(m·K) | Application | Price (₸/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80 mm MW | 0.037 | Warehouse-to-office partitions | 3,200–4,200 |
| 100 mm PIR | 0.025 | Warm office with cold warehouse | 4,000–5,200 |
| 120 mm MW (non-combustible) | 0.037 | Fire-resistance partitions | 3,800–5,000 |
Floor Materials for Office Spaces
Self-levelling Polymer Floors (loft, office)
| Type | Thickness | Characteristics | Price (₸/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy (self-levelling) | 2–5 mm | Gloss finish, easy to clean, chemical-resistant | 3,500–5,000 |
| Polyurethane | 2–4 mm | Resilient, warm, sound-absorbing | 4,500–6,500 |
| Quartz vinyl (LVT) | 4–6 mm | Wood/stone imitation, warm | 4,000–7,000 |
Ceramic Tiles (restrooms, showers)
The only normatively recommended material for restrooms and showers.
| Type | Format | Price (₸/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Wall tiles (office) | 30×60 | 2,500–5,000 |
| Floor tiles (R9–R11, anti-slip) | 30×30 | 2,800–5,500 |
| Large-format tiles | 60×120 | 5,000–12,000 |
| Mosaic for showers | 2×2 | 4,500–9,000 |
Anti-slip coating is mandatory
Laminate and Engineered Wood (office areas)
| Class | AC rating | Suitable for | Price (₸/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 (AC3) | Residential / light commercial | Small offices | 2,800–4,500 |
| 32 (AC4) | Commercial | Offices, meeting rooms | 3,500–6,000 |
| 33 (AC5) | Heavy commercial | Corridors, reception areas | 4,500–8,500 |
| 34 (AC6) | Industrial | Not needed in offices — overkill | 7,000–12,000 |
For a warehouse in Almaty$2: indoor humidity in the shoulder seasons reaches 60–75%. Class 32+ laminate (with moisture-resistant HDF board treatment) or quartz vinyl flooring is more stable under such conditions than standard laminate.
Ceiling Solutions
Suspended Ceilings (Armstrong type)
Standard solution for office spaces in a warehouse block:
| Type | Tile | Application | Price (₸/m², turnkey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong (metal frame) | 600×600 mm, MW | Offices, meeting rooms | 4,500–7,000 |
| Armstrong moisture-resistant | 600×600 mm | Restrooms, kitchens | 5,000–8,000 |
| Metal strip ceiling | 84 mm strip | Corridors, reception | 6,000–10,000 |
Room height: when designing an AWB in a warehouse, the recommended office height is 2.8–3.2 m from the finished floor to the suspended ceiling. Below 2.8 m — uncomfortable for work, above 3.2 m — irrational heating expenditure.
Drywall Ceilings
- Seamless appearance, curved forms possible
- Seismic resistance: with correct suspension — up to 9 points (hangers in two directions + rigid elements)
- Installation cost: 5,000–8,000 ₸/m² (including trimming)
Heating the Office Block: Almaty Specifics
Separation from the Warehouse Zone
The AWB and production zone have different temperature regimes:
- Office: +18–22°C
- Regular warehouse: +5–10°C
- Cold warehouse: 0°C…+4°C
- Freezer: −18°C…−24°C
An airlock vestibule with double doors is mandatory between them — this retains heat in the office and prevents condensation at zone boundaries.
Heating Systems for the AWB
| System | Suitable for | Installation cost (₸/m²) | Consumption over 140-day season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water radiators | Office, cloakroom | 8,000–12,000 | Average |
| Underfloor heating (water) | Restrooms, changing rooms | 12,000–18,000 | Average |
| Underfloor heating (electric) | Small restrooms | 4,000–8,000 | High (electricity is expensive) |
| Fan coils | Office with summer cooling | 15,000–25,000 | Average |
Almaty: summer cooling is just as important as winter heating
Plumbing and Restroom Engineering
Standards for Number of Plumbing Fixtures
Per SN RK 3.02-29-2023:
| Number of workers | Toilets | Washbasins | Urinals (M) | Showers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| up to 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Not mandatory |
| 15–30 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 30–50 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2–3 |
| 50–75 | 4–5 | 4 | 3 | 3–4 |
Materials and Equipment
| Element | Minimum class | Recommended | Price (₸/unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet | Wall-hung or floor-standing | Wall-hung — easier to clean | 35,000–80,000 |
| Washbasin | Surface-mounted or wall-hung | Built-in with cabinet | 25,000–60,000 |
| Shower cabin | Tray + glass | Open shower with curtain | 40,000–120,000 |
| Mixer tap | Standard lever | Single-lever with aerator | 8,000–25,000 |
| Exhaust fan | 90–120 m³/h | 120–150 m³/h | 4,000–10,000 |
Pipework: for industrial restrooms in Almaty — plastic-coated metal or polypropylene. Copper pipes — excessive. Drainage — PVC pipe diameter 110 mm with 2% slope.
Approximate Estimate for an AWB for a 1,500–2,000 m² Warehouse
Office block area 200 m² (2 mezzanine floors, 100 m²/floor):
- Offices: 2 rooms (40 m²)
- Meeting room: 1 (20 m²)
- Reception/corridor: 20 m²
- M/F cloakrooms: 20 m² + 20 m²
- M/F toilets: 10 m² + 10 m²
- Utility/server room: 10 m²
| Item | Cost (million ₸) |
|---|---|
| Steel mezzanine frame | 2.5–4.0 |
| Floor slab (profiled sheet + concrete) | 1.2–2.0 |
| Drywall partitions (150 m²) | 1.5–2.5 |
| Office finishing (floor, ceiling, walls) | 2.0–3.5 |
| Restrooms and showers (30 m²) | 1.8–3.0 |
| Heating + air conditioning | 2.5–4.0 |
| Plumbing (pipes + fixtures) | 1.0–1.8 |
| Electrical (lighting, outlets) | 1.2–2.0 |
| Metal staircase | 0.8–1.5 |
| Total AWB 200 m² | 14.5–24.3 million ₸ |
Average turnkey cost: 70,000–120,000 ₸/m² of AWB area.
We'll include the AWB in the warehouse project — full calculation within 24 hours
StroyHub designs administrative and welfare blocks together with the warehouse — one project, one contractor. Free conceptual estimate accounting for your staffing requirements.
FAQ
Is it mandatory to build the AWB immediately, or can it be added later?
If you lay the foundation for an extension — it can be deferred. But connecting utilities (sewage, water) is significantly more expensive after the main construction is complete — you have to break up floors and run routes. Optimally: lay the utilities (pipes to "zero" without fixtures) at the start.
What is the minimum AWB for a 500–700 m² warehouse?
Minimum: 1 M/F toilet with washbasin, a changing area (2–3 lockers), an eating space (small table / kitchen corner). Area: 15–25 m². Can be implemented as a ready-made plumbing module connected to utilities — fast and inexpensive.
Is a cloakroom needed for truck drivers?
By regulation — no, if they are not regular employees. But in practice — it is desirable to provide at least a washbasin and toilet in the loading/unloading zone (separate from the main AWB) for the convenience of drivers and compliance with sanitary requirements.
