l l l l l such as stacking height, floor capacity, structural clearance, and other obstacles. EQUIPMENT   CAPABILITIES.   Use   of potential  warehouse  storage  height  may  be restricted  by  the  equipment’s  inability  to  reach the full vertical space. MATERIAL   CHARACTERISTICS.   The maximum  stacking  height  depends  upon  the material   or   its   packaging.   The   material characteristics could cause the stacking height to vary. TOTAL   WAREHOUSE   STORAGE   SPACE. The  gross  storage  space  within  a  warehouse includes the support spaces, aisles, structural loss, and net storage space. OCCUPANCY  OF  NET  STORAGE  SPACE. Occupying  the  maximum  net  storage  spare  can be   hindered   by   ceiling   heights,   material characteristics,  and  “elbow  room.”  Sufficient “elbow room” should be available to minimize relocation  to  make  space  for  new  receipts. Fifteen  percent  of  net  available  space  is considered an adequate allowance for “elbow room”  for  general  supplies. AISLES. The layout plan must include the aisles to prevent placement-of material in inaccessible areas and loss of space. MATERIAL FACTORS Items with similar handling requirements should be stored together when practicable. This will facilitate storing, caring, and moving of material. The fastest moving items should be stored in areas easily accessible to MHE and issue personnel. Loose and unpacked items issue  areas  should  be  adjacent  to  packing  and processing  areas.  Slow  moving  items  should  be  stored farther from active or processing areas. DIMENSIONS The critical factors in developing the layout for storage  operations  include  the  relationship  between  the equipment and warehouse dimensions. Although there are various types and styles of forklift trucks, shelvings, bins,  and  racks,  few  conform  to  predetermined standards. Different makes and styles of forklift trucks require different aisle widths and turning radii. Racks and shelves have different internal dimensions such as column and rail thickness. OPERATION Several factors should be considered in planning the  layout  to  support  efficient  operations.  These include   handling   classification,   special   handling requirements,  pallet  rack  operations,  and  small  items. Handling  Classifications There are three basic handling classes of storage in the  Navy  system.  They  include  the  following: l l l High cubes and large lots. A limited storage space is needed for bulk or high cube items or large  quantity  of  palletized  items. Palletized  packaged  material.  These  are  items  of various sires, shapes, and configurations that are stored   on   pallets. These  items  include instruments,  system  components,  parts,  power tools, and so forth. Shelf or bin material. These are small items that can be stored in bins or shelves. Separation  of  Elements Storage spaces used for stowing materials that require  special  handling  need  careful  planning  of storage  layout. These  are  materials  that  require environmental  control,  air  conditioning,  or  security  and are  stored  separately  from  general  commodities. Hazardous items should be stored or handled to prevent hazard  to  personnel  and  facility.  Strict  segregation  of incompatible  materials  is  mandatory.  Incompatible hazardous  items,  when  accidently  mixed,  could  cause fires,  explosions,  or  give  off  toxic  gases.  Sensitive items  require  a  high  degree  of  protection  and  control. Shelf-life items are handled on a first-in, first-out basis. Pallet Rack Operations This  is  the  simplest  way  of  handling  material. There  is  no  difference  in  handling  a  pallet  load  of batteries or a pallet load of electronic circuit cards. The MHE interfaces with the pallet, and the material on the pallet  does  not  influence  the  way  the  material  is handled. Small Items Small items are materials that can be stored in bins or  shelves.  In  planning  the  layout,  consideration  should be  given  to  the  shelvings,  bins,  and  MHE.  Always consider  the  number  and  height  of  the  required 2-3