Honeycombing is storing or withdrawing of stores that result in a vacant space that is not usable for storing other items. This lost space can be either horizontal (floor area) or vertical above other stock. Materials in storage that are stacked too high and too deep can pose a problem for the MHE operator. A forklift operator cannot see beyond four stacks of pallets. The operator can be too closely confined when penetrating more than two vehicle lengths in single-width slot (one pallet wide.) Equipment Considerations The particular MHE to be used requires different aisle patterns and overhead clearance in building structures. In planning the storage building, the column spacing is usually coordinated with the MHE. The aisles should be wide enough to accommodate the safe operation of the MHE. It is also essential that the overhead and obstruction clearance above the maximum lifting height of the the MHE. To fully use the lifting capability of the MHE, the building must have an adequate overhead clearance above the maximum lifting height of the MHE. SHORE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STOWAGE Shore hazardous material storage areas will be designated following the base fire marshall’s recommendations, local regulations, and NAVSUP Publication 573. Chapter 4 of NAVSUP Publication 573 discusses the Department of Defense (DOD) requirements for facilities designed to store hazardous material. STORAGE LAYOUT AFLOAT The term stowage is most often used for storage afloat. Stowage of material afloat requires that you know how to determine the stowage layout best suited for the material, that you know the precautions to be taken to safeguard both the stores and the ship, and that you be familiar with the rules governing the accessibility of the stores. SPACE ALLOCATION AND LAYOUT Stowage space afloat varies from one ship to another. The physical arrangement of material is dependent upon the internal construction of the storeroom to be used. The location of doors, hatches, nonstructural stanchions, ventilation ducts, and other obstructions should be reviewed to permit the maximum use of the space available for stowage. Requirements for enclosed bins, open racks and shelving, stanchions, gratings and battens, and miscellaneous storeroom accessories must be determined to achieve efficient stowage. in planning the stowage layout and allocation of available storeroom space, you must consider the categories of stores that are to be stowed separately (for example, commissary, ship’s store, ship’s repair parts, general stores, and aviation stores) and the volume of storage space that is required for each category. SPACE LAYOUT FACTORS The detailed stowage layout should be arranged to allow for maximum stowage capacity, access to all stores, orderly arrangement, and security/safety of stores. Essential items should be dispersed in stowage among the various sections of the ship to reduce the effects of battle damage to particular parts of the ship. Material that is bulky, fragile, perishable, flammable, susceptible to damage by heat or moisture, or that possesses any other physical characteristics that affect the safety of the ship or personnel should be given primary consideration in the layout of stowage plans, Material should be stowed in spaces as near as practical to where the items are to be used. Heavy bulk items should be located so that a minimum of handling is required. Items that must be handled by personnel should be placed to minimize the risk of injury when lifting. Where MHE cannot be used, items should be broken down into units that can be safely lifted by one or two individuals. Storerooms serviced directly by ship’s hatches and cranes receive first consideration for purposes of bulk stowage. Special racks may be installed on the hangar deck for stowage of fuel drop tanks, helo blades, and so on. Hangar deck and gun sponson spaces may be allocated for the stowage of aircraft engines, catapult seals, arresting gear cables, buddy stores, and so on. Other factors to consider are as follows: 2-12