Chapter 13

1. Chapter 13 Area Allocation

2. Objectives • After reading the chapter and reviewing the materials presented the students will be able to: • Understand the concept of building cube. • Determine the total space requirement and building size. • Allocate appropriate space and location for each function within the enterprise.

3. Space Requirements Planning • Area allocation is the process of allocating space among the departments. • A total plant size and shape is needed very early in the project in order to design the building. • Each department’s space needs are analyzed and listed on a total space requirements worksheet. • The manufacturing space, production services space, employee services space, office space, and outside area space are all determined separately and then listed on the worksheet (fig 13-1, page 401).

4. Space Requirements Planning • Under the Floor: Utilities (electrical, compressed air, and water) can be placed under the floor in small trenches. Walkways between buildings can also be placed underground. • Overhead or Clear Space Areas: A mezzanine can double space utilization. Overhead conveyor movement of material is also a good use of the building in manufacturing. • Truss Level: Walkways are built into trusses of steel mills. Many plants run utilities in the trusses. • Roof: Can be used for recreational purposes, for material storage, or for water towers.

5. Building Size Determination • Standard buildings come in many increments such as 100 x 100 feet, 50 x 50 feet, and 25 x 50 feet. • A 25 x 50 foot building would come in multiples of 25 feet in width and 50 foot increments in length. • A 2:1 length to width ratio is very desirable because of material flow and convenient accessibility.

6. Area Allocation Procedure • The first step in area allocation is to establish a grid using something like an ½ inch graph paper. • A scale of ½ inch = 20 feet will make each ½ x ½ inch square equal to 400 square feet. (fig 13-3a, page 406). • The second step of area allocation is to calculate the number of squares (400 square feet) needed by each department. • The third step is to place these blocks into the area allocation layout using the dimensionless block diagram as a guide (fig 13-3b, page 406). • The fourth step of the area allocation procedure is a layout with the internal walls (fig 13-3c, page 406). • Once the area allocation procedure produces a final plan, the architect can start on the building design and construction.

7. Office Area Allocation • The office area allocation procedure is the same as the plant area allocation procedure. • The organizational chart and the dimensionless block diagram will be the basic sources of information. • A preliminary estimate of 200 square feet per person will give you a rough idea of space needed. The level of the organization technique will give you a better idea of needed space. These two figures should be close to each other. • The closeness relationship should be retained in the dimensionless block diagram. • A scale of ½ inch equal to 10 feet will make each ½ x ½ inch square equal to 100 square feet. • Calculate the number of squares needed for each office or function. • Aisles should be straight and run the full length and width of an office. • The best arrangement will satisfy the most relationships in the dimensionless block diagram (fig 13-4c, page 409).

8. Summary • Area allocation is the process of allocating space among the departments. • Each department’s space needs are analyzed and listed on a total space requirements worksheet. • The manufacturing space, production services space, employee services space, office space, and outside area space are all determined separately and then listed on the worksheet . • Under the Floor: Utilities (electrical, compressed air, and water) can be placed under the floor in small trenches. Walkways between buildings can also be placed underground. • Overhead or Clear Space Areas: A mezzanine can double space utilization. Overhead conveyor movement of material is also a good use of the building in manufacturing. • Roof: Can be used for recreational purposes, for material storage, or for water towers. • Standard buildings come in many increments such as 100 x 100 feet, 50 x 50 feet, and 25 x 50 feet. • A 2:1 length to width ratio is very desirable because of material flow and convenient accessibility. • The first step in area allocation is to establish a grid using something like an ½ inch graph paper. • A scale of ½ inch = 20 feet will make each ½ x ½ inch square equal to 400 square feet. • Once the area allocation procedure produces a final plan, the architect can start on the building design and construction. • The office area allocation procedure is the same as the plant area allocation procedure. • The organizational chart and the dimensionless block diagram will be the basic sources of information. • Aisles should be straight and run the full length and width of an office.

9. Home Work • What is area allocation? 2. What is a desirable length to width ratio and why? 3. What are the basic sources of information for office area allocation procedure?