Working Aisles.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

inspection, or for protective processing.

The

(a) Working Aisles. Working aisles are

requirements for service aisles are very limited.

passageways used to access storage locations during

Efficient warehousing operations require that each

the receipt, inspection, and issue processes. Working

storage row contain only one item with the same number

aisles are of two types, transportation aisles which run

of containers per pallet. This facilitates inventory as

the length of the building and cross aisles which run

well as issue and normally makes special aisles

across the width of the building.

unnecessary. However, such aisles may be necessary

1 The working aisle widths

for special commodities (e.g., subsistence, etc.) which

specified herein are not to be construed as the absolute

require frequent inspections.

limitation for all operations.

They represent the

(6) Every block of material should be

dimensions under which most operations may be

adjacent to a working aisle and stored so that stock can

conducted. Aisle widths must be established to ensure

be removed without the necessity of moving another

complete consonance between operational efficiency

item. The simplest means of providing accessibility is to

and space economy. The aisle widths specified below

create a large number of aisles and short rows, but this

are based upon a load of 40 inches on electric vehicles.

practice is inconsistent with the principle of minimizing

Sit-down counterbalanced rider ....

12 feet 0 inches

the number of aisles. The best rule to follow is to be

(4 wheel) truck.

certain that materials are stored on both sides of and

Stand up counterbalanced ............

(3 10 feet 0 inches

facing the working aisles. Pallet racks, placed parallel

wheel) truck.

to the long dimension of the building, in side-to-back

Reach truck...................................

8 feet 0 inches

storage with a bulk stock, permit the use of

Deep reach truck ...........................

8 feet 6 inches

transportation aisles to provide accessibility to small lot

Swing reach truck..........................

5 feet 6 inches to

material.

6 feet 0 inches

(7) Since a mix of material may contain a

Turret truck ...................................

5 feet 6 inches to

wide variety of lot sizes, various bay depths must be

6 feet 0 inches

provided. For example, if a single column of pallet

Aisles widths for different load lengths will be

loads is placed in a bay which has a capacity of five

determined on the basis that a variation of 8 inches in

such columns, space for four columns is lost. The

the load length will have a corresponding variation of 6

availability of a variety of bay sizes is affected by aisle

inches in the aisle width. For example, a 48-inch load

layout and the direction of storage. When the best

length will increase the aisle widths indicated above by 6

conceived plan for direction of storage fails to produce a

inches. Determination of aisle width is affected by

sufficient number of small bays for the class of material

turning radius of MHE to be used.

handled, the number of working aisles must be

increased.

2 In most storage layouts, the

volume of activity requires two transportation aisles of

g. Working areas. Working areas are nonstorage

efficient layout. Such aisles run the length of the

space (other than aisles) in which operations incident to

building and should be wide enough to permit two-way

storage or materials handling are performed. Working

traffic of MHE being utilized in that particular area.

areas include receiving and shipping bays, packing floor

space, strapping lines, battery charging stations, offices,

3 At least two cross aisles are

and locker rooms. Such spaces reduce storage areas

needed in the standard warehouse section. Such cross

and, therefore, should be held to the minimum.

aisles should be in accordance with the aisle

(1) Working areas are normally located in

requirements outlined in paragraph 1 above. The bulk

those portions of a warehouse which have the lowest

of storage operations will be carried on in cross aisles.

ceilings. Usually, areas which serve all personnel in a

(b) Personnel aisles. Personnel aisles

building (e.g., offices, locker rooms, etc.) are located in

are those used as pedestrian routes only and may be

the center section of the building against a side wall.

required for access to door or to special interior areas.

This precludes entering personnel from walking through

Such aisles should be held to a minimum. If traffic

the storage areas and interrupting work. Working areas

volume does not create a safety hazard to personnel,

are located so as to minimize to total time required for

working aisles can/should double as personnel aisles.

travel of personnel and equipment between storage

locations and working areas.

(c) Service aisles. Service aisles are

those which provide access to stacks for inventory,

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