The Problem: Many companies begin operating in a

favorable location, only to find that their original facility

becomes too small to accommodate continuing growth. Or,

to cut operating costs, multiple locations may need to be

consolidated into one larger facility. But creating additional

space, or relocating to larger facilities, can be prohibitively

expensive and subject to many complications.

The Solution: Building owners are now discovering the

simplest and least expensive solution to that problem. It is

now practical to double or triple interior space by lifting the

existing roof. Yet this growth is accomplished at a small

fraction of the cost, time, and trouble involved with other

methods of expansion.

An approach developed in the early 1970's is now being

utilized in many cases where more space is needed quickly,

inexpensively, and conveniently. The key to the innovative

method is the patented "E-Z Riser" process, provided

nationwide by Space Technology Inc. (“STI”). The steps

involve wrapping the support columns of the existing

structure with steel “sleeves;” disconnecting the original roof

at its perimeter, then hydraulically lifting the "telescopic"

columns to double or triple the original height. The newly

created space is then enclosed, with a variety of choices

available for insulated siding, matching masonry, etc. Even

more amazing, the entire process is routinely performed in

occupied warehouses, without disrupting ongoing

operations.

For example, a gift-merchandising company needed more

storage space to accommodate additional items in their

warehouse “picking” section, as well as increased back-up

stock. They found that the cost of building or buying

additional space was excessive. Instead, they called STI to

lift their existing roof intact, to almost double its original

height. As a result, without interruption of normal activities,

they now enjoy twice the storage capacity in their same

55,000 square foot warehouse footprint. This process is

becoming increasingly popular as an economical method for

adding space.

In another case, one of the nation’s most active Allied

Van Lines locations had outgrown its 60,000 square foot

storage facility. Rather than build more square footage, or

relocate to a larger warehouse, STI lifted their roof from 22’

up to 37’ clear. The entire project was completed while daily

operations continued undisturbed. To solve the problem of

protecting inventory from outside elements, the new upper

wall for the newly created height was actually installed

AROUND the building BEFORE its roof was lifted, and

rose into place as the roof was raised. As a result,

merchandise remained protected from winter weather, the

site remained secure, and active warehouse traffic continued

uninterrupted.

Other business owners, like a garment distributor who

needed to expand even more dramatically, called STI to lift

their roof from 14 feet, all the way up to 35 feet clear, to

multiply the pallet capacity in two of their warehouses. Once

again, the process was completed without work interruption,

and with the unique “Pre-Lift”

installation of the new upper wall.

The added height allowed the

owner to benefit from modern

high-rack pallet storage and

retrieval systems. Other similar

projects include a producer of

work uniforms that needed more

room for stock shelving, whose

roof height expansion provided

headroom for an upper mezzanine

level which was used to double its

primary picking area. Another typical situation was at a

170,000 square foot lift from 14’ up to 25’ clear, which was

accomplished for an international manufacturer and

distributor of paper products. Despite mid-winter storms, the

project allowed complete occupancy and warehousing

operations to continue, secured and weather-protected.

Installation of pallet rack, mezzanines, flow rack, and

conveyor systems made productive use of the new space.

Space Technology, Inc. www.ROOFLIFT.com

Roof-lifting

is performed in

occupied

warehouses

withOUT

disrupting

operations

WAREHOUSES ADD SPACE BY RAISING THE ROOF

Companies are Expanding their Outgrown

Buildings with Inexpensive Method for

Increasing Height of their Original Roof

Original Clear Height 14 Feet

Roof Raised To New Clear Height of 37 Feet

Old Choices: Traditional expansion options are common,

but quite costly:

• Build additional adjoining floor space

• Relocate to larger quarters

• Construct a new building

• Stifle growth to cut back space requirements

Each of these choices has its drawbacks and limitations:

• Local regulations often prevent additional construction on the

original site due to zoning, parking, or space restrictions.

• Where allowed, building additions usually lead to disruption;

loss of parking; messy conditions in the work area; high

excavation and construction costs; and increased taxes due to

increased square footage.

• Relocation involves finding and purchasing appropriate real

estate; making alterations to an existing building; establishing

a new local labor force; the expenses of moving inventory,

equipment, offices and personnel; then the task of selling off

the previous property.

• New construction involves a new foundation and structure;

various permits; lengthy and expensive planning and

construction phases; and environmental concerns.

While these alternatives have long been in use, prices of

land, buildings, and construction have rendered some of

them unaffordable. Yet the prospect of surrendering growth

due to space restrictions is equally unacceptable.

The Process: Advance preparation for the day of roof-

raising (the roof is lifted one foot per hour) is relatively

straightforward. It involves disconnecting vertical utility

lines, piping, or obstructions that connect the walls to the

roof. In many cases, such as electrical wiring, extension

lengths are spliced into the original line during the initial

disconnection, so that power is maintained continuously. It

can then be left intact during the lift, with the "slack" wire

absorbed as the lift progresses. In this way, overhead lighting

fixtures and electric heating can function even while the lift

is taking place. The newly added wiring is then fastened

permanently after the lift is completed. The original roof,

lighting, heating, plumbing, drainage, sprinkler, and roof-

mounted equipment, are all maintained intact.

Safe and Secure: Dramatically,

this procedure is routinely

prepared and performed without

interrupting a company's busy

storage, picking, packing, and

shipping operations. Other

examples in manufacturing

settings, are even more

impressive: STI completed the

task of lifting a 115,000 square

foot roof section, part of a 3

million square foot production

plant in Detroit. The task was

performed for Daimler Chrysler’s

Diesel division, while full production line operations

continued all around the lift area. The alternative to the roof-

lifting solution would have been to demolish the roof deck,

structure, lighting, heating, and sprinkler systems, and

rebuild them at a higher elevation. The cost would have

been extraordinarily high and much more time consuming,

aside from the disastrous interruption of operations.

Reasons for increasing building height are numerous:

• Allow high-bay storage of inventory

• Add a mezzanine or second floor, for offices, storage, or

production

• Create clearance for cranes, tanks, or sophisticated

equipment

• Convert an available building, with inadequate storage

capacity, into an opportunity for buying or leasing

Benefits According to the

informative website,

www.ROOFLIFT.com, roof-

raising projects have been

provided nationwide by STI at

sites ranging in size from as small

as 6,000 square feet to those with

many hundreds of thousands of

square feet. The economies

achieved on larger structures are

astonishing, and Space Technology provides initial cost

estimates at no charge. After viewing the website’s eye-

opening video, and impressive press coverage, it is

apparent that this revolutionary technology has had a major

impact on re-thinking expansion options.

Incentives and Advantages By expanding upward,

instead of outward:

• The existing structure, framework and roof are utilized,

reducing new material costs; a truly “Green” alternative.

• No new land is needed; costs of real estate, and problems of

moving are avoided.

• No ground is broken, eliminating excavation and foundation

expenses, time, and inconvenience.

• Lighting, Air Conditioning, Heating, Sprinkler, and other

systems rise with the roof eliminating costly retro-fitting.

• Modern high-lift and stacking equipment makes low-

clearance facilities obsolete, while raising the roof height

adds value and marketability to the structure.

• Roof raising is generally considered an alteration; zoning,

taxes, parking, and other regulations and costs are often

avoided.

• The process is quick; the lifting rate averages one foot per

hour, and project completion is fast.

• Assistance and coordination is provided, allowing building

occupants to continue to concentrate on their normal daily

business.

So it seems that the old saw about real estate may need to

be re-evaluated: While “They're not making it any more”

there may be more of it under an old roof.

Space Technology, Inc.

www.ROOFLIFT.com

INNOVATIVE ROOF LIFTING

PROCESS CREATES SPACE, WHILE SAVING

MONEY

To assure safety, the unique method

never separates the building from its

structural support, so it avoids any

requirement for temporary shoring

and its resulting floor-anchor damage, and

never subjects the building to instability.