Layout.

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

This leaves approximately 35 percent of the gross space

-- "AISLES should be kept to a minimum in number and

(inside measurement) that can be used for offices,

size because they WASTE STORAGE SPACE."

restrooms, posts, aisles, and other necessary space. To

NOTE

make the group think about the problem of aisle layout

Illustrate the above point by an

from a practical "know-- the reasons" viewpoint rather

example and than ask members of

than from a "how-we-do-it-here" viewpoint, a chart or

the group if they know exactly what

plan of a different type of building should be used in the

percentage of their available storage

discussion. For example: Use a physical floor plan

space is used for aisles. If they do

which is different from the one used to your installation.

not know, work out one problem with

As each type of aisle is discussed, it should be on a

the group.

chart as suggested by the group. A blackboard, about 3

by 4 feet, can be used with sample ware house plans

(1) The number, type, size, and location of

painted on the board. Aisles and commodity locations

aisles are directly dependent upon the CAPACITY

can then be chalked on it as suggested by the group.

FACTOR and the COMMODITY FACTOR.

warehouseman should not be content to lay out aisles

(4) Before laying out aisles, the storage

according to a pattern determined either by "someone

person must ask:

else" or by precedent. They should know WHY the aisle

(a) Where and how far away are

plan is used and BE SURE THAT IT FITS INTO THE

platforms and door openings?

PARTICULAR OPERATION after studying the question

from all angles. They should constantly TRY TO

(b) Approximately how much space will

REDUCE the amount of space used by aisles

be needed for each item and the sizes of the lots the

WITHOUT HAMPERING THE OPERATION.

warehouse is at present expected to store?

(2) To illustrate the percentage of storage

(c) It likely that there will be changes in

space that can be used by aisles, the following

the quantities and types of material in the near future

examples can be used: Consider a warehouse section

and can such changes be anticipated, so as to avoid

120 by 180 feet or a total of 21,600 square feet. Two

extensive rearrangement of aisles?

10-foot main aisles, the length of section, equal 2,400

(d) Where are firewalls and fire line

square feet which uses about 11 per cent of gross

valves?

storage space and leaves 89 percent for storage. This

(e) How many posts or columns support

PLUS two 10-foot cross aisles running the width of

the roof and floors? Where are they, how big are they,

section equals 3,600 square feet. TOTAL aisle space

and how far apart?

equals 6,000 square feet which uses about 27 percent of

(f) Will materials be block-- stocked or

gross storage space and leaves about 73 percent for

binned? Where binned, aisle space must be re served in

storage (actually, 100 sq ft should be subtracted for

front of each bin.

each point of crossing of aisles; however, for ease of

(g) Which supplies will be stored

illustration, this has not been considered). If we reduce

mechanically and which by hand? Forklift trucks cannot

the width of each of the four aisles ONE FOOT and

work in tight spots behind columns, nor pass pack ages

make them 9 feet instead of 10 feet, we will have 600

around a corner.

square feet. This saving would make space for about

(h) What is the size of the forklift trucks

200 additional pallet loads where pallets are stacked

three high. This reduction of ONE FOOT would raise

to be used? If 6,000 pounds, a larger aisle should be

the available storage space to 76 per cent.

provided; if 2,000 pounds, smaller aisles naturally result.

b. Types of aisles.

-- "There are three TYPES of AISLES COMMONLY

(3) How much area should be used for

used in our warehouses: MAIN AISLES, CROSS

storage? Naturally, the thought in relation to this

TRAFFIC AISLES, AND FIRE AISLES."

question is "every available square foot." That is

-- "DISCUSS in DETAIL each of these types, as to

certainly very true, but just how much should be the

number, size, location, and direction.

minimum available area for storage? This will certainly

vary from installation to installation de pending upon

c. Main or transportation aisles.

many factors such as building characteristics and type

-- "MAIN AISLES are sometimes referred to as

of commodity to be stored or mission. As a good rule of

TRAFFIC or TRANSPORTATION AISLES."

thumb, we may say that a minimum of 65 percent of the

-- "As in the case of elevators in multistory buildings,

available gross space should be available for storage of

MAIN AISLES are the LIFELINES or ARTERIES of a

supplies.

warehouse."

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