DC Circulation

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

OVERVIEW

Pedestrian and vehicle paths are critical in ensuring the smooth movement of people and product within Distribution Centers, particularly during pre/post-shift periods when large groups of people are entering and exiting simultaneously.


​Refer to Building Entrance & Exit and Lobby overview, as well as the Mobility Standards page for more details on the planning strategy and design intent. 


Design Goals

  • Ensure clear, consistent, and intuitive pathways, entrances, and exits for ease of navigation
  • Establish consistent and intuitive routes for ease of understanding and navigation
  • Optimize movement for large groups during shift change (sufficient width for inbound and outbound traffic, designated lanes, directional movement, etc.)
  • Allocate additional space for areas with queuing, waiting, or spontaneous collisions
  • Accommodate accessibility requirements (tactile indicators, sufficient width for wheelchair access, signage in multiple native languages, etc.)
  • Encourage movement: make the stairs convenient and visually connected
  • Provide 'cut-through' paths to key spaces for quick access where possible
  • Clearly mark safety paths on shopfloor to separate people with logistic operations

REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

  • Clearances
    • Primary circulation: High-traffic paths 72“ (152.5 cm) min. width. Elsewhere, 48” (122 cm) min. width
    • Secondary circulation: Paths between furniture 36” (91.5 cm) min. width
    • Thresholds: Max. height 0.5” (1.2 cm)
    • Dead ends: Min. 60” (170 cm) turning circle 
    • Ensure accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities, by incorporating wide doorways

    Shopfloor

    • Create segregated pathways for pedestrians on the Shopfloor

    Stairs and ramps

    • Where possible, provide a ramp instead of stairs
    • Ramps: slope 1:12 (8.3%) max., rise 30” (76cm) max. between flat landings
    • Stairs: Equal riser heights between 4"-7" (10cm-18cm), equal tread depths 11" (28cm) min.
    • Stair tread: Slip-resistant finish and tonal contrast at each nosing is minimum; in addition, tactile surface at each stair nose is preferred
    • Handrails: Required for ramps and stairs. Height (measured at top) 34"-38" (86cm-96.5cm), extending 12” (31cm) past the top and bottom stair

    Elevators and elevator lobbies

    • A passenger elevator is required for buildings with multiple floors 
    • Elevator controls: 48" (122cm) max., includes card reader, call button, cab controls
    • Elevator door: opening 36” (92cm) min. width, 0.5" (1.3cm) max. height threshold 
    • Elevator cab size: 80” x 51” (203cm x 129.5cm) min. or 67” x 67” (170cm x 170cm) min.
    • Elevator lobby: 60” (152cm) min. diameter turning circle 

  • Finishes

    Walls

    • Use cleanable, durable materials
    • Backing in walls for brand installations as needed
    • Corner guards: Use in traffic areas with frequent deliveries
  • Doors
    • Provide adequate space at entry, exit points, and security turnstiles to accommodate anticipated traffic volumes, avoiding congestion, and bottlenecks​

    Entry vestibule

    • Allow for influxes at peak periods (shift change) when designing the size of the entry vestibule​
    • Allocate ample space for approach to avoid congestion, focus on providing generous openings into the Distribution Center
  • Acoustics
    • Avoid reverberation and noise disrupting adjacent workspaces. Impact sound (footsteps, doors closing, etc.) shouldn’t be a distraction to adjacent spaces. Supports transition from a quiet, focused area to more energetic spaces.
    • Noise criteria (NC): 40-45 dBA
  • Electrical

    Outlets

    • Space at max. 50’ (15m) for cleaning equipment

    Lighting

    • Range: 10-20 FC (107-215 LUX) at floor
    • Fixtures at stairs: Avoid locations above stair treads where a ladder is required for maintenance
  • Wayfinding
    • See Wayfinding section
    • Install clear signage to guide employees safely through entry and exit points, promoting continuous movement without interruption
    • Design: Differentiate primary routes with variations in width, flooring, lighting, contrast, color, ceiling height, etc. This provides visual cues to users and discourages moving furniture or items into the circulation path
    • Offer views to the outside to assist in orientation and navigation
    • Doors: Do not conceal doors intended for general use (e.g. conference rooms). Service doors do not apply
    • Directional signs and/or maps: At decision-making points (e.g., building entrance, primary access for each floor, main corridor intersections)
    • Floor directory sign: At elevators and primary stairs, in large or complex buildings 
    • Icon signs: Install perpendicular to the path of travel for visibility at a distance, to indicate key amenities
    • Level number sign in elevator lobbies and stairs 
    • Change ‘Icon signs’ to ‘Amenity Icon Tab’
    • Stairs and elevators are often a good opportunity for placemaking
  • Branding
    • Brand on areas of the shopfloor should be big and bold to complement the scale of the facility and combat visual clutter
    • Wall graphics are typically paint applications, which are easier and more affordable to maintain than wallcoverings
    • Consideration should be made if Freeplay area is on the open Shopfloor, regarding the ongoing rearrangement of DC racking. If space is moved, the graphic should still function if partially covered.
    • Brand: Install memorable art in locations with highly visible sightlines as a landmark 
  • Technology
    • OPTIONAL: Consider implementing digital scoring management if budget allows
    • OPTIONAL: Consider implementing speakers within Freeplay area for employees to play music during freeplay sessions and heighten energy/buzz

  • Safety and Security
    • Glass walls/doors: Provide visual warnings (like a tonally contrasting strip or window film) to avoid accidental collisions; ensure that this is high contrast so that it’s obvious and doesn’t disappear into the surroundings
    • Protrusions: Items should not protrude into the circulation path between height 27”-80” (69cm-203cm) that could be a hazard (e.g. items mounted on the wall, tables with sharp edges, etc.). 
    • Top of open stairs: Tactile warnings, indicating the level change, preferred
    • For Workplace Security standards, contact your local Design or PM team. EHS standards can be found in Resources

    Logistics

    • Coordinate operational workflows with the building design, ensuring that delivery, order processing, and material handling utilize secondary entry points to minimize disruption at the primary entrance

    Emergency egress

    • Ensure compliance with building codes and safety regulations to establish clear emergency evacuation routes


Relevant Links

Distribution Center Mobility Standards for approach to circulation and movement

View Standards

Nike Accessibility and Inclusion Checklist for accessible requirements

View Checklist