Case Study: How We Navigated Evolving Code Requirements for Animal Health’s Specialized Industrial Storage Facility

The Project

When Animal Health International needed to expand its Liberty, MO, distribution operations, the path forward wasn’t straightforward. After exploring an expansion of its existing facility, the company ultimately relocated to our Liberty Heartland Logistics Center development, leasing 255,000 square feet to support continued growth and partnering with us to deliver a highly specialized build out.

The facility needed to safely accommodate a wide range of products – from vaccines and pharmaceuticals to combustible and toxic materials – each with distinct storage, ventilation and life safety requirements. Delivering a compliant, efficient and scalable solution required deep technical coordination and a clear, informed decision-making process at every step.

The Challenge

The primary challenge centered on meeting stringent hazardous material storage requirements within a new facility. Unlike their previous space, which was designed under earlier standards, this building was required to comply fully with current codes – introducing more rigorous requirements for ventilation, fire protection and containment.

Animal Health came to the project with preliminary design work already underway. Their architect, Davidson Architecture & Engineering, and code consultant, FP&C Consultants, had begun mapping storage needs based on a detailed inventory of materials. Each classification – flammable, corrosive, aerosolized and toxic – carried its own set of design implications.

Translating that technical analysis into clear, buildable solutions proved complex. The sheer volume of code-driven criteria made it difficult to evaluate options and understand downstream impacts, especially as every decision influenced both operational performance and project cost. The team needed clarity to move forward efficiently and confidently.

The Solution

Our first course of action was to break down complex code requirements into clear, actionable direction that informed design decisions and kept construction moving forward. This included investing time in developing a working fluency in the applicable code requirements tied to the facility’s storage classifications and translating those requirements into practical building criteria the client could evaluate in real time, helping them understand tradeoffs and move forward with confidence.

From there, we delivered three purpose-built storage environments tailored to Animal Health’s product mix. A 13,475-square-foot H-3 space was designed for combustible materials and incorporated enhanced fire protection strategies, including in-rack sprinklers and a lower ceiling elevation to support system performance. A 10,333-square-foot H-4 area accommodated corrosive and highly toxic substances with its own dedicated safeguards. A more cost-effective containment approach was used for a 6,025-square-foot aerosol storage zone with chain-link fencing installed to the roof deck.

Each environment required a distinct mechanical strategy. Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) were installed in the H-3 and H-4 rooms to achieve significantly higher air exchange rates than a typical warehouse while maintaining complete separation from the building’s standard HVAC systems. The aerosol area and remainder of the warehouse were served by conventional rooftop units.

We also implemented spill containment solutions designed to protect adjacent areas without cutting into the slab, using engineered barrier systems at all H-3 and H-4 room access points.

Beyond the hazardous storage areas, the project included an 11,615-square-foot temperature-controlled cooler for sensitive products and fully built-out office and support spaces. Close coordination across mechanical, structural, fire protection and architectural partners ensured all systems worked together as a single, fully integrated facility.

The Result

Animal Health now operates in a facility custom designed and built to support its full range of products – meeting rigorous safety standards while maintaining operational efficiency and flexibility for future growth.

By translating complex regulatory requirements into a clear path forward, we enabled Animal Health to make informed decisions about space allocation, system design and cost management. The result is a highly functional environment that balances compliance with practicality, ensuring both safety and usability.

Equally important, the project was delivered on schedule and within budget, demonstrating the value of early alignment, strong collaboration and disciplined execution. The completed facility stands as a model for how specialized industrial requirements can be successfully integrated into a modern logistics environment without compromising performance or safety.

• More about Liberty Heartland Logistics Center
• More about Animal Health International at Liberty Heartland Logistics Center