8 MISC. PUBLICATION 540 ; TJ. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



APPROXIMATELY 75' 



only opproximot* 



Figure 5. — Lay-out of 5-ton, counterflow, tunnel-type dehydration plant. Floor 

 spaces (square feet) are as follows: Raw-material storage, 500; finished-prod- 

 uct and packaging-supplies storage, 500 ; preparation, 450 ; drying, 1,400 ; pack- 

 aging, 150 ; boiler room, 100 ; locker and wash rooms, 250. 



Buildings and Lay-out 



The building need not be expensive, but certain features are essen- 

 tial. It must have good concrete floors throughout and proper drain- 

 age, so that walls and floors can be washed down and kept clean. 

 Built-in waste flumes in the floor of the preparation room are an aid 

 in this respect. All outside openings should be screened so that flies 

 and other insects cannot enter, and outside screen doors should have 

 automatic closing devices. Rodentproof construction is highly 

 desirable. 



The plant lay-outs presented here show practical floor plans and will 

 serve as guides to floor-space requirements and arrangements for the 

 different operations. Buildings of rectangular shape are discussed 

 because they are commonly used. If the plant is to be located in 

 existing buildings, the lay-out must be modified to take advantage of 

 the available space in the best manner. 



In some cases it may not be feasible to locate all parts of the plant 

 within the limits of a rectangular building. Boiler and sewage-sep- 

 aration rooms can be conveniently located in small adjoining buildings, 

 or in an extension of the main building. As a safety and fire-preven- 

 tion measure and to eliminate excessive temperatures within the 

 plant, it is better to locate the boiler in a separate building. Boilers 

 should be designed and installed in accordance with the code of the 

 American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It may be advisable to 

 place the office in a position overlooking the receiving and shipping 



P if 



