Overview
The Pantos Logistics Warehouse project is an interior alteration of an existing ±4,800 m² (51,763 sq ft) single-storey warehouse at the corner of 110 Avenue and 74 Street SE within Calgary's East Shepard Industrial District. The project reclassified the facility from its original F3 (Medium Hazard) occupancy to F1 (High Hazard) to support Pantos' logistics and storage operations — a significant regulatory undertaking requiring a full building code analysis and targeted architectural upgrades.
Design Challenge
Reclassifying a large warehouse from F3 to F1 High Hazard occupancy under the 2023 Alberta Building Code required a comprehensive code analysis followed by targeted construction to satisfy the more stringent life-safety requirements — including fire-rated partition assemblies, 90-minute fire-protection openings, fire-stopping at all penetrations, rated structural column enclosures, and verified egress travel distances — all within an operational building with minimal disruption to the tenant.
Design Response
PiXEL Architecture carried out the full building code analysis and developed the architectural changes required to satisfy F1 High Hazard requirements. New fire-rated partition assemblies using multi-layer Type X construction to ULC standards were carefully integrated into the existing warehouse fabric, along with 90-minute fire-protection doors and windows, fire-stopping at all penetrations, and rated structural column enclosures. The Development Permit and Building Permit documentation included a full energy code (NECB) analysis. Construction administration was provided through to occupancy.
