TM 55-607/NAVSEA OP 3221 Rev 2
Figure 7-3. Construction of 2-inch wood decking laid athwartships.
(3) Inspection covers and fill caps often protrude above the deck surface in the lower holds in which the tops
of deep tanks form the deck. Items not requiring wood flooring, such as unit loads that do not require magazine stowage
and that are palletized on wood pallets, may be loaded directly on the deck around the obstruction. A void table block of
4 by 4-inch lumber is constructed around the obstruction, and the unit load is placed directly upon the obstruction and the
void block. This unit load will exceed the height of the remaining loads stowed directly on the deck, thereby creating an
uneven surface for flooring. Hence, this method is used when compartment height or characteristics of the cargo do not
require that a floor be installed. However, if a floor is necessary above this tier or subsequent tiers, the stow should be
made as level as possible. The surrounding unit loads are stowed in block fashion around the obstruction, and a void
table is constructed to support the next tier or floor. Details of this construction are shown in figure 7-4. In some cases,
the obstructions are so numerous that working conditions around them are undesirable. In this case, flooring is
constructed of two courses of 2-inch planks laid crosswise and secured to 4 by 4-inch runners laid on the metal deck, as
shown in figure 7-5. All decking (and runners) should be laid to cover sufficiently any area where forklift truck wheels can
reach; however, the decking should not overhang the runners. Runners are not necessary where the tank top surfaces
are level, because the flooring is laid directly on the tank top, as required. When used as a stowage area for military
explosives, deep tank bottoms are floored over, as required, in the same manner prescribed for the holds.
7-4