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Henry Clark
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#1 Commercial Real Estate Investing Contributor
  • Developer
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Self-Storage - Climate or Humidity Controlled, plus some Remote Management items.

Henry Clark
Pro Member
#1 Commercial Real Estate Investing Contributor
  • Developer
Posted Feb 1 2023, 15:20

Was responding to a question elsewhere, decided to float it here.  Person was asking on a new Enclosed Self Storage location they are about to open whether it should be listed as Climate or Temperature controlled.  They were also located in Ohio with colder temperatures.   I decided to add a few more items to check on.

Climate controlled- humidity controlled.

Temperature controlled- heating and air.

Prior to building check on floor insulation, Ceiling metal to metal insulations contact points- to reduce heat transfer from the roof to the building frame inside, and also try to do Spray foam insulation to get a great seal.

If your building is up already. Have your HVAC person do an efficiency test on the building looking for air leaks and Temperature hot/cold spots.

Does your entrance have a Foyer area and second doorway. Same for Drive in doors. If possible, use the clear plastic flaps to curtail air flow.  Plus get a speed door.

If A/C check for Condensation at key areas.

Would still recommend you add a Dehumidifier system to work with both your Heating and Cooling systems, Winter and Summer. Talk with a commercial HVAC company, not your local person for houses. By reducing the humidity both your heat and cold don't have to go so far to fill comfortable.  Also, an Air conditioner will work more efficiently if there is less moisture in the air (Houston, Florida, Alabama, etc).  Go Solar, on the grid.


Other Items:

What type of fire suppression system do you have if any? If "wet", recommend you put in a radiant heat propane heater as a backup for when electric is out, so your pipes don't burst. Just in the bottom floor and more towards the middle or stairwell if available. With a closed building, this will keep your building above freezing forever. If "dry", no worries except in your control room. Just have a kerosene heater on hand for that room, so intake valves don't freeze.

If you're putting in a Security system, might as well have the Security company throw in a temperature alarm. Should be cheap since you already have the security system. Tell them you want both a Text message and also a Call Center phone call if temperatures go outside of 50 degrees up to 85 degrees. Especially since this is remote and you're in Ohio. Can also have this occur for Electric outages.

Ask them to put an alarm on your NVR, if it gets disconnected. Also, a motion sensor in the office for after hours. Put a bullhorn in the office to go off. Again, Text or Call Center message.

While they are at it. If you have automated gates. Have them cycle test the gates each morning. Send you a text message and/or Call Center message gates did not cycle. Fog and Condensation catches us every year in Iowa in the winter. Since our reflectors get fogged or iced over and the gates won't open in the morning. Then just apply rain X and that will work for about 3 to 4 months. This will also let you know if the electric is out. Especially since you are remote.

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Carolyn Yates
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Sarasota, FL
75
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140
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Carolyn Yates
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Sarasota, FL
Replied Feb 2 2023, 20:22

All great info!  Thank you for sharing!