March 17, 1987
VA HANDBOOK 7610 (408)
h. Clean Linen Processing Area - Clean linen is removed from the washing equipment and moved via an overhead
storage rail system or manually in carts to the dryers (tumblers), ironers, finishers or folders. After the linen is dried or ironed,
it is folded, placed on a conveyor and moved to the flow rack. Post sorting of washed contaminated linen is accomplished in
this area.
This area is occupied by many large pieces of laundry equipment. Circulation space for personal and laundry cart traffic is
included. The space provided is based on mathematical analysis using two -variable statistical calculations generated from the
four prototypical laundry designs. It is assumed that approximately 45-50 percent of the linen will be processed through
tumblers, 50 percent goes directly to the ironers and 5 percent goes to the finisher.
i. Clean Holding (Flow Rack) and Assembly Area - All finished and folded goods, with the exception of garments, are
transported by conveyor to the flow rack. The linen accumulation system, or flow rack, is normally composed of a series of
roller conveyor four tiers high.
Sanitized carts coming from the cart washer are placed at the discharge end of the flow rack for make -up. Across the discharge
end of the flow rack, all classifications of linen are exposed for cart make -up. When one tray is removed from the flow rack,
another tray rolls into place. The empty tray is placed on the return lane. Clean linen taken from the trays is loaded into clean
carts according to prescribed loads.
Each tray is approximately 610 mm (2') square and will hold an average of 18.2 kg (40 lbs) of linen. The flow rack is
approximately 705 mm (22') long and the width varies depending on the number of la nes necessary. Circulation space is
provided on the sides of the flow rack and work space is provided at each end. The flow rack is to be capable of holding 1
day's production of clean linen. The formula is based on the above considerations.
j. Distribution Area - The loaded carts are moved from the assembly area to the distribution area which consists of cart
storage space (usually two deep), a cart queuing area and a dispatch area. Storage space is capable of holding 1 day's
production in carts.
Space for docks is provided based on the same formula as utilized for the receiving docks (par. 6c). Dock space is considered
as 3660 mm wide by 4775 mm deep (12' x 15') or 16.7 NSM (180 NSF) and includes a dock leveler and circulation.
The Space requirements were developed by estimating the daily production of clean linen carts and calculating the space
required for cart storage, queuing, and circulation. To this figure the space for dispatch and docks are added.
k. Linen Collection Room - Bagged linen is removed through a chute system and deposited in the collection room. The
bags can be stacked to a 1220 mm (4') height. The bagged linen is loaded into carts and removed twice a day.
l. Soiled Linen Cart Storage Room - Carts, full of soiled linen, are held in this room if the truck is not available for loading.
Space is provided based on the capability of holding 1 day's worth of carts. Space in this room plus space on the laundry
truck and in the laundry will provide sufficient storage for weekends and holidays.
Annual poundage X 1 day X
1 cart
x 1.4 SM (15 SF) = NSM (NSF)
260 days/year
110 kg (243 lbs)
cart
m. Clean Linen Cart Stooge Room - Storage space is provided for enough carts to hold 2 days of clean linen.
1. Cart Space: 1.45 SM (15 SF) X 1.25 circulation = 1.75 SM (18.75 SF)
2. Annual poundage X 2 days X
1 cart
X 1.75 SM (18.75 SF) = NSM (NSF)
260 days/year.
154 kg (338 lbs)
cart
3. Annual poundage x 0.00043 = NSM (NSF) or 4.3 X PP = NSM (NSF)
408-7
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