Standards and recommendations for floors in narrow

aisle warehouses
There are a number of different standards and recommendations for floors in narrow
aisle warehouses:
• DIN 15 185 is the best known and most widespread in Europe
• TR 34 (Concrete Society’s Technical Report 34) is a floor recommendation that is
used mostly in the United Kingdom.

We have chosen to follow DIN 15 185 for the following reasons:

DIN 15 185 is a complement to DIN 18 202 /05 86 that is a standard for dimensional
tolerances in building construction; buildings. DIN 15 185 is a standard and not a
recommendation. It is easy to follow, to understand and to control, and it provides
acceptable quality for a narrow aisle floor. It is a well-designed norm which, in addition
to narrow aisle floors, affects the installation of racking and personal protection for
workers in a narrow aisle.

• The DIN 15 185 standard is quite adequate for safe, efficient materials handling.
• Tolerances in DIN 15 185 are simpler to check than others.
• Since Din 15 185 is a well-accepted standard in most European countries, it will
probably form the basis of a future joint European norm.
• DIN 15 185 fulfil TR 34 category ”1” but not category ”superflat”.
• DIN 15 185 fulfil the requirements for safe handling
• DIN 15 185 fulfil the requirements for use of the VNA-trucks intended handling
performance.

Floor specifications according to DIN 15 185

The floor in narrow aisle racking where narrow aisle trucks are used, and in areas
where trucks are moving loads in a raised position, shall meet the following
requirements for evenness:
The specifications for the evenness of the floor in a narrow aisle warehouse are
strict and tolerances are very limited. For that reason it is important that all
parties involved are familiar with, and agreed upon, which demands must be met
to obtain safe, efficient materials handling. The demands must be clearly
specified and shall be included as a natural part of a business contract between
truck supplier, truck user and building contractor.
The figures given in this BT document agree with DIN 15 185.
In case of doubt, BT should be contacted for a clarification or for additional information.

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Dimensions and tolerances across the truck aisle:

The table below shows the max. permissible

difference across the truck aisle in height (h) in
mm of the centre line (S) between the wheel
tracks. Permissible height difference (h)
depends on the distance between the wheel
tracks’ centre line (S). Sp means numbers of
wheel tracks

Track width (S) = distance between the wheel

tracks’ centre line.

(S) (S) (S) (S)

} 1,0 m. ! 1,0 m. ! 1,5 m. ! 2,0 m.
} 1,5 m. } 2,0 m. } 2,5 m.

Permissible height difference (h) in mm at 2,0 mm 2,5 mm 3,0 mm 3,5 mm

a lifting height < 6000 mm.

Permissible height difference (h) in mm at 1,5 mm 2,0 mm 2,5 mm 3,0 mm

a lifting height > 6000 mm, and when the
truck is a man-up type, wire guided or
equipped with some type of positioning
system.

3-wheel truck 4-wheel truck

h h
S S

S S
3 * Sp 4 * Sp

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Dimensions and tolerances along the truck aisle:

3-wheel trucks
CT, VR, TRT, OP
The table below shows the max. permissible tolerances for evenness along the aisle.
Maximum permissible depth/rise (h) in the wheel track (Sp) for the following measuring
distance (L) in metres.
Measuring Measuring Measuring Measuring
distance distance distance distance
(L)=1,0 m. (L)=2,0 m. (L)=3,0 m. (L)=4,0 m.
Maximum permissible depth/rise (h)
in the wheel tracks (Sp) in mm. 2,0 mm 3,0 mm 4,0 mm 5,0 mm
This applies to all types of narrow
aisle applications.

(L)

Straight edge

Floor

(h)

Measuring range

Measure distance
WF
S Measuring range 3 * Sp
WF Meas
uring
WR range
Measuring range

It is important to check the level differences between the wheel tracks for support
arm wheels and the drive wheel. This difference can cause the truck to lean, as
well as dynamic movements in the truck’s direction of travel.

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Additional requirements to avoid the washboard effect
Even if the floor fulfils the requirements of DIN 15 185 the evenness must be checked
also on short distances ( 100 mm ) in order to avoid the washboard effect which can
cause disagreeable vibrations in the truck. The difference in level must not vary more
than 1 mm between the measuring points along the truck aisle.
max. 1 mm 100 mm

Straight edge

Floor

Different methods to measure floor evenness

It is impossible to determine if a floor is sufficiently even just by looking at it. In such a
case, any impression or evaluation of the floor will come from the floor’s surface finish
and general appearance.
For that reason the evenness of the floor must be carefully measured to provide a basis
for deciding if any steps need to be taken. The following are the primary factors that
determine if a narrow aisle floor meets the requirements for evenness:

• Height difference of surface irregularities (amplitude)

• Distance between surface irregularities (wave length)

Measuring methods
Straight edge
From the ergonomical point of view,
using a straight edge to check the
floor of an entire narrow aisle
warehouse is very laborious. The
method is labour-intensive and
requires a major follow-up analysis
of the data obtained. Experience
shows that the final result is not
satisfactory. The straight-edge
method is primarily a complement to
optical inspection or is used to
measure a limited area.

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Optical inspection with PPM ( Plan Plain Micrometer )

The difference in level between different

control points can be checked using an optical
instrument with PPM and a measuring stick.
This is normally done by two persons, one of
whom reads the instrument and fills in a data
sheet (see fig.below). The other person holds
and moves the measuring stick to the
previously determined control points. There
may be communication problems in the case of
long distances. This method is costly and cost
is relative to the number of points to be
measured. The distance between points may
vary from 300-3000 mm. If you choose a long
distance between points, reliability suffers.
There is a greater risk of irregularities between
the measuring points. The method is used
mainly to check inclines, but is also a good
complement to optical inspection.

+1 +1 +5 +5
0 4 0
Centre of 1 2 5 2 Measuring points
the wheel +2 +3 0 +3 due to the number
1 3 3
tracks 0 of wheel tracks
1 2 3
0
4 2
+2 +2 -2 0

The illustration shows how a data sheet for optical inspection with PPM can be
designed. The black figures give the recorded levels (height) at the control points. The
red figures give the difference in level between control points.

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DFP ( Digital Floor Profiler )
Measuring the evenness of a floor with the help
of a DFP is by far the best method. The
measuring instrument and printer for the DFP
are placed on a specially designed carriage
which is pulled along the truck aisle. Sensors in
the middle of the carriage´s tracks measure the
differences in level, both crossways and
lengthwise. This method is highly reliable since
the distance between the control points is only 4
mm. The data can then be analysed by printing
the floor profile between each wheel track as a
diagram. It is easy to read off the deviations in
size and position. This method is intended
mainly for checking newly laid floors, where the
methods described above are not adequate. The
method can also be used to obtain a good basis
for selecting the means of finishing the floor.
Some types of DFP can also measure the
friction coefficient of the floor.

The practical method

Static lean
Drive a truck along the floor surface that is
Dynamic movement
designated to become a narrow aisle in the
Static lean
future. Begin by driving the truck with the
Dynamic movement
load lowered. Raise the load by increments
and observe how the truck leans and what
its dynamic movement is. Adapt your speed
to an acceptable degree of safety and
ensure that other workers are at a safe
distance from the test area. Determine if the
floor is suitable for narrow aisle operation,
based on the movement of the load and the
mast.

Floor lean Floor lean

To avoid higher installation costs than estimated, and to reduce the risk of
delaying completion of the warehouse, inspect the floor before beginning to
install racking, aisle guidance, etc.