Clear height

Clear height is the distance between the finished floor and the lowest structural point of an industrial building — usually the bottom of the joists, ducts or light fixtures, whichever hangs lowest.

Why it is the figure with the most economic impact

Because it determines how many rack levels fit, and with them how many pallet positions you get per square meter.

Two buildings with the same floor area can differ by a very large percentage in storage capacity on height alone. You are leasing volume, not area — even though rent is quoted per square meter.

The most common measurement error

Confusing the height to the lowest point with the height to the ridge or the eave. The first is what matters, because racking cannot pass through a duct.

And a second detail: usable height is lower than clear height, because the fire protection system requires clearance above the stored load.

How to use it when comparing options

Do not compare rent per m². Calculate the pallet positions each building allows and divide total occupancy cost by those positions. A building that is more expensive per square meter can be cheaper per position if its height allows one extra rack level.