planning the storeroom layout are location of
four-way entry. The construction of a two- way entry
storeroom doors, hatches, stanchions, ventilation
pallet allows the forks of a forklift to enter either the
ducts, overhead fixtures, and other structural aspects.
front or rear of the pallet. The four-way entry pallet
allows entry of forks from any of the four sides of the
The first element of a location system is a logical
pallet. Pallets help to move a greater number of
and systematic numbering system. The storerooms are
material pieces at one time. Also, it speeds up handling
identified by number (or letter), beginning from the
and reduces higher stacking. There are several factors
forwardmost and uppermost level on the starboard
side. This numbering progresses from the starboard to
that determine the number of containers that can be
the port side and from the upper level to the lower level
stacked on a pallet. These factors include size of the
of the ship. The first two digits of the location number
pallet, size and shape of the material, and weight of the
contain the storeroom number. Other characters of the
item. Also, you must consider the material handling
location number are the row, stack level, or bin number.
equipment (MHE) used for moving the pallet. The
You should familiarize yourself with the location
factors to consider are the lifting capacity and lifting
system used in your ship.
height limit of the MHE. For example, when you use a
Under the Shipboard Uniform Automated Data
forklift truck to stack three pallets high and maintain
Processing System (SUADPS), you can query the
uniformity, the height of the lower two pallets should
location of an item from the computer. Also, you can
not exceed 102 inches. Also, you can do this by having
find the location of an item in the Master Stock Status
an average height of 51 inches for each pallet load.
and Locator Listing (MSSLL). The MSSLL is a
In forming pallet loads, you must not exceed the
printout of certain essential data elements from each
lifting capacity of forklift trucks at the specified
stock record in the basic material file (BMF).
distances from the heel or fork. Most 2,000-pound
forklift trucks will lift 2,000 pounds if the load does not
RELOCATION OF MATERIAL IN
STOWAGE
extend beyond 24 inches from the heel or fork.
However, for every inch the load protrudes beyond this
The leading storeroom Storekeeper will supervise
point, a sharp reduction in lifting capacity occurs.
transfer of material between storeroom or to different
The following paragraphs describe the types of
locations in the same storeroom, who will ensure the
stowage aids derived from pallets.
following:
The box pallet is an adaptation of the standard
Material is protected from loss or damage during
pallet. A simple superstructure built on the pallet gives
the relocation movement
it the appearance of a crate or box. Warehouses use the
Material is correctly stowed in the new location
box pallet for storing odd sized items or weak
New locations are promptly and accurately
containers that will not support the superimposed load.
If you use box pallets for stacking small lots, it permits
recorded in the material stock records
higher stacking.
STOWAGE AIDS
The pallet rack provides support for pallets that is
independent of the lower loads. Use of pallet racks are
The ship's storerooms may contain bins, racks,
common to shore activities. Warehouses use them to
shelvings, lockers, drawer cabinets, deck gratings,
store material that is not strong enough to support the
battens, and other stowage aids for storing material.
load. Other uses of pallet racks include storing material
Warehouses ashore have bigger storage spaces and can
with irregular shapes or material that is too small for
accommodate other storage aids. These aids include
bulk storage and too large for bin storage.
pallet racks, pallet support sets, dunnage, cantilever
racks, and box pallets.
The primary usage of the safety pallet is to elevate
personnel both for maintenance work and moving
Pallets
material to and from storage. Handling a safety pallet is
the same as handling an ordinary pallet except that it is
A pallet is a low portable platform constructed of
secured to the forklift truck. Safety pallets provide
wood, metal, or fiberboard. Its standard measurement
safety when lifting personnel and material to high
is 40 by 48 inches, and it is manufactured with flushed
places where forklifts cannot approach at a right angle.
or winged ends. Pallets may afford a two-way or
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