Glossary
The key terms on logistics buildings, specifications, permits and transactions. Each with a practical note.
0–9
A
B
- Battery storageStorage for lithium-ion batteries and battery-containing products.
- Battery storageA stationary storage system that buffers solar power and smooths peak loads.
- Big boxA large logistics building, usually from around 20,000 m², often for a single occupier.
- BrownfieldA previously used, often industrial site that is redeveloped.
- Build-to-suitNew construction to the requirements of a specific occupier.
- Building depthThe dimension of a hall from the dock side to the rear wall.
- Building Energy Act (GEG)German federal law setting energy efficiency and heating requirements for buildings.
- Building permitOfficial permission to construct, alter or change the use of a building.
C
- Central warehouseA company's main warehouse serving a large area, often all of Germany or Europe.
- Clear height (UKB)The usable height of a warehouse up to the underside of the roof girders.
- Clear internal heightThe free space between the floor and the lowest installation.
- Cold storeTemperature-controlled storage for food, pharma or chemicals.
- Column gridThe spacing of the columns along and across the hall.
- Contract logisticsLong-term outsourcing of logistics services to a provider on behalf of a client.
- Corporate real estateMixed-use commercial property with hall, production and offices, often owner-occupied.
- Cross-dockingTranshipment without storage: goods arrive, are sorted and loaded out immediately.
- CRREM and stranded assetsDecarbonisation pathways investors use to assess when a building misses climate targets.
D
- Daylight and rooflightsOpenings in roof and facade for natural light.
- DGNB, BREEAM and LEEDSystems for certifying sustainable buildings.
- Distribution centreA warehouse from which goods are distributed to stores, retailers or consumers.
- Dock levellerThe movable platform bridging the gap between dock and vehicle.
- Dock ratioThe ratio of doors to warehouse area.
- Dock shelterA curtain or cushion system closing the gap between vehicle and wall.
- Due diligenceThe structured review of a property before purchase, financing or letting.
E
- Emission control permit (BImSchG)A permit under the Federal Immission Control Act for facilities with significant environmental impact.
- Energy performance certificateEvidence of a building's energy performance under the German Buildings Energy Act.
- Escape routeA route by which people can safely leave a building in an emergency.
- ESFR sprinklersEarly Suppression Fast Response: ceiling sprinklers with high water volume and fast activation.
- ESGEnvironmental, Social, Governance: criteria for sustainable business and investment.
- EU TaxonomyThe EU classification of which economic activities count as environmentally sustainable.
- EV charging for trucks and fleetsCharging points for electric trucks, vans and cars.
- Exclusive search mandateAn instruction to an adviser to search the entire market for space.
F
- Fire access roadThe drivable area around the building for emergency vehicles.
- Fire alarm systemA system that detects fires automatically and alerts the fire brigade.
- Fire compartmentA section of a building separated by fire walls to contain a fire.
- Fire loadThe energy of all combustible materials in an area, relative to floor area.
- Fire wallA wall that permanently separates fire compartments and withstands a fire.
- Fire water retentionStructural measures that contain contaminated firefighting water.
- Floor flatnessThe permitted deviation of the floor surface from a flat plane.
- Floor loadingThe load the floor slab can carry per square metre and per rack foot.
- Freight village (GVZ)A business area bringing logistics companies and transport modes together at one site.
- Fulfilment centreAn e-commerce warehouse handling storage, picking, packing and dispatch to consumers.
G
- GDP and pharmaceutical logisticsRequirements for storing and transporting medicines under the EU Good Distribution Practice guidelines.
- German Anti-Money Laundering Act (GwG)Legislation requiring real estate agents to identify contracting parties and assess risks.
- Green leaseA lease with provisions on sustainable use and management.
- GreenfieldA previously undeveloped site that is developed for the first time.
- Grid connectionThe electrical capacity a site can draw from the grid.
H
- Hazardous goods storageStorage for substances posing particular risks to people, environment or fire safety.
- Heating and heat pumpsConditioning warehouse and offices without fossil fuels.
- Heritable building rightThe right to own a building on someone else's land in return for ground rent.
- High-bay warehouseA warehouse with very tall racking, usually automated.
I
- Incentives and effective rentLandlord concessions such as rent-free periods or fit-out contributions that reduce the actual rent.
- Indexed rentRent linked to a price index, usually the consumer price index.
- Industrial Building Directive (MIndBauRL)German building regulation guideline for fire protection in industrial buildings.
- Industrial floorThe load-bearing, trafficable floor slab of a warehouse, usually reinforced or steel-fibre concrete.
L
- Land use planThe preparatory land-use plan showing the basic pattern of land use for the whole municipality.
- Last-mile logisticsThe final leg of the supply chain to the consumer.
- LED lightingEnergy-efficient warehouse lighting, usually with presence and daylight control.
- Lettable areaThe area on which rent is paid, measured according to an agreed standard.
- Letter of intent (LOI)A declaration of intent recording the key terms of a planned deal.
- Level access doorA door at yard level through which vehicles can drive into the hall.
- Light industrial and business parksSmaller units with offices for trades, services and light production.
- Loading dockA loading point at truck bed height where vehicles dock directly.
M
N
O
P
- Parcel and express logistics (CEP)Courier, express and parcel services with sorting and transhipment hubs.
- Precast concrete constructionA structure of factory-made reinforced concrete columns, girders and wall elements.
- Preliminary building enquiryBinding clarification of individual permit questions before the full application.
- Prime rentThe rent achieved in the top quality segment of a market.
- Production buildingA hall for manufacturing, assembly or processing.
- Purchase price multiplePurchase price divided by annual net rent.
Q
R
- RackingThe storage equipment, usually pallet racking, in the hall.
- Re-lettabilityHow easily a property can be let or sold to others after the occupier leaves.
- Regional warehouseA warehouse serving a defined delivery area.
- Reinstatement obligationThe tenant's duty to remove fit-out at lease end and restore the original condition.
- Returns logisticsReceiving, inspecting and refurbishing returned goods.
- Roof load capacityThe roof's structural reserve for additional loads.
- Rooftop solarSolar installations on a warehouse's large roof area.
S
- Sale and leasebackA company sells its property and immediately leases it back.
- Sandwich panelA facade or roof element of two metal skins with an insulating core.
- Service chargesOngoing building costs passed on to the tenant in addition to the net rent.
- Share dealPurchase of the company that owns the property instead of the property itself.
- Site coverage and building volume ratios (GRZ, BMZ)Figures setting how much of a site may be built on and how much volume may be erected.
- Site security and access controlStructural and technical protection of site and building.
- Slot bookingAssigning fixed delivery times to carriers.
- Smoke and heat exhaust (SHEVS)Openings and devices that release smoke and heat in a fire.
- Soil contaminationPollutants in soil or groundwater from previous use.
- Space for defence and public authoritiesLogistics and production space with elevated security requirements.
- Sprinkler systemAn automatic extinguishing system that fights a fire where it starts.
- Swap bodyA load carrier set down by the truck that stands on its own legs.
T
- Trimodal and rail sidingA site connected to road, rail and inland waterway.
- Triple net leaseA lease in which the tenant pays operating costs, maintenance and insurance in addition to rent.
- Truck and trailer parkingParking areas for waiting trucks and trailers on site.
- Truck courtThe yard in front of the doors where trucks turn and dock.
U
- Unplanned inner area (Section 34)Built-up areas without a development plan where a project must fit into its surroundings.
- Urban development contractAn agreement between municipality and investor on planning, infrastructure and follow-on costs.
- Urban logisticsLogistics space in urban locations supplying conurbations.
V
W
Y
Z
No term found.
Logistics property: what matters
Specifications in context, with a 3D model and a checklist for viewings.