PROPERTY
20.75
Revised 10-09
Facilities Operations
335-8619
Surplus Stores and Central Stores maintain limited supervised space which is available for WSU Pullman departmental storage needs. Central Stores provides space on an overflow basis when Surplus Stores is full.
Objectives
This program maximizes the utility of the more expensive and centrally located classroom, laboratory, or administrative space. The objectives of the program are:
- To store those properties and/or materials which are temporary, seasonal, or not of current need in an academic, research, or support program but which will be required in the future, usually within less than one year.
- To store those properties and/or materials of value or specialized nature and of possible future use to the department, usually within three years.
- To warehouse quantity, discounted purchases of materials and supplies, usually truck or carload lots, thereby saving University funds.
- To provide a secure facility for storage.
STORAGE FACILITIES
Description
The General Storage Building and storage area, managed by Surplus Stores, is located behind McCluskey Service Building on Dairy Road. The Central Stores warehouse is located at 1945 Quad Services Road.
Storage Only
The General Storage Building and Central Stores warehouses are intended for storage only. No workshop or laboratory facilities, e.g., special wiring or plumbing, are included in the storage modules.
Temperature
A minimum temperature of 50 degrees and a maximum temperature of 85 degrees are maintained throughout the year.
Assigned Space
Surplus Stores and Central Stores assign storage space by module. There are four sizes of modules available:
- Pallet size (4 feet x 4 feet, 16 sq. ft.). Only items that are easily placed and fit on a pallet go into these spaces, e.g., boxes, file cabinets, desks.
- 10 feet x 10 feet, 100 sq. ft. Items that do not fit on a pallet, e.g., office dividers, chairs, large amounts of furniture.
- 10 feet x 20 feet, 200 sq. ft.
- 20 feet x 20 feet, 400 sq. ft.
The mezzanine floor at Surplus Stores is designed to carry 125 pounds per square foot. The mezzanine floor at Central Stores varies in weight capacity. Mezzanine spaces at either location are not equipped with lockable storage modules.
Uncovered outdoor storage may be available at the sole discretion of Surplus Stores. Surplus Stores stores items outdoors only if the items do not negatively impact the overall appearance of the Waste Management lot and storage yard. Contact Surplus Stores for storage space fee information; telephone 335-4530. Monthly billing for storage is effective January 1, 2010.
Central Stores does not provide outdoor storage space.
Shelving
Surplus Stores and Central Stores do not provide shelving, cabinets, containers, or tables in the modules. The assigned department must provide any additional storage equipment needed to efficiently utilize the storage space.
Security and Access
Surplus Stores and Central Stores maintain the security of the buildings and storage yard and restrict access to assigned and designated areas. However, the assigned department is reponsible for storage properties and materials.
The buildings have daytime supervision. Departments are not given individual keys to outside doors. To move items in or out of storage, departments must make appointments with Surplus Stores staff; telephone 335-4530; or Central Stores staff; telephone 335-3782; at least 24 hours in advance.
Access to a department's assigned module is restricted to employees designated by the department.
A duplicate key to General Storage locked modules is retained in the warehouse office. Only storage spaces on the ground floor of the warehouse have lockable modules. Warehouse employees do not enter locked modules unless unusual circumstances warrant entry. Central Stores does not provide any locked modules.
Vehicle access to the fenced storage yard at Surplus Stores is restricted to University vehicles and other vehicles on official business and is accessible during business hours only. Contact Surplus Stores for hours of operation, 335-4530.
STORAGE PROCEDURES
Allotment
All departments are eligible to request storage space in the General Storage Building and the Central Stores warehouse. Module allotments are made on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. All storage is offered first at Surplus Stores and then at Central Stores on an overflow basis. For storage space fees, contact Surplus Stores; telephone 335-4530; or Central Stores; telephone 335-3782. Monthly billing for storage is effective January 1, 2010.
Surplus Stores and Central Stores provide storage only for those items having a definite need and purpose. Departments should carefully evaluate the need for retaining materials scheduled for storage. Normally, departments should consider items that are not intended for use within a year as excess and transfer the items to Surplus Stores for disposition. See 20.76.
Responsibility
Departments are responsible for their property and materials and are advised to inventory items placed in storage and record the removal of stored items.
Departments are required to affix identification labels to items placed in storage. Storage Identification Tags are available from the Facilities Operations General Storage website at:
Requesting Storage
To request storage, the department chair or designee submits an email request to the supervisor of Surplus Stores. To submit an e-mail request for storage, access the following website:
The request memorandum includes:
- Approximate space needs;
- Type of material to be stored;
- Period of anticipated storage;
- Type of storage required, i.e., indoor or outdoor uncovered; and
- Any circumstances which makes immediate storage essential.
If locked storage is required, the department chair or designee includes this information in the request memorandum.
Surplus Stores notifies the department when a module or portion of a module is assigned and the provides the storage location.
Surplus Stores forwards a copy of the space allotment to Capital Planning and Development--Space Management. The assigned space is included in the department's total space allotment.
Transport of Property
Departments are responsible for transporting or arranging transport of their property to and from the General Storage Building and Central Stores warehouse.
To move items in or out of storage, the department must make an appointment with Surplus Stores staff; telephone 335-4530; or Central Stores staff; telephone 335-3782; at least 24 hours in advance.
If the department is unable to transport items to or from storage, the department may contact Surplus Stores; telephone 335-4530; or Central Stores; telephone 335-3782; to arrange transport. Applicable rates apply to transport services.
If items are too large, Surplus Stores or Central Stores may recommend that the department contact Heavy Equipment for transport; telephone 335-9088. Applicable rates apply.
Identification Tags
Prior to transporting property to the General Storage building or Central Stores warehouse, the department securely attaches a Storage Identification Tag to each item. The tag assists storage personnel with identifying departmental storage items.
Storage Identification Tags are available from the Facilities Operations General Storage website at:
Space Review
Surplus Stores and Central Stores periodically review storage space allotments to ensure that space is being utilized as intended under University policy and to make space available to those departments with legitimate and current needs.
When a department removes items from an assigned storage space, the department is responsible for reviewing the space module size.
As departments add items to their assigned space, Surplus Stores and Central Stores adjust the space allotment after consulting with the department. Surplus Stores sends out an e-mail message once a year to remind departments to review items in storage.
Billing Cycle
Surplus Stores bills departments on a monthly basis for storage spaces located in the General Storage Building and the Central Stores warehouse. Contact Surplus Stores for details; telephone 335-4530. Monthly billing for storage is effective January 1, 2010.
A department retains and pays for the assigned space, even when empty, until the department notifies Surplus Stores or Central Stores that the department no longer needs the assigned space. Once the department cancels the assigned space, Surplus Stores prorates the final monthly charges.
Restrictions
The following are examples of materials which departments are not allowed to store in the General Storage Building or the Central Stores warehouse:
- Records;
- Hazardous and toxic materials;
- Chemicals, controlled substances, or prescription drugs;
- Highly inflammable materials;
- Malodorous or noxious materials;
- Perishable items.