CIM Warehouse Operations & Storage Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the key difference between a drive-in rack and a drive-through rack?
- Drive-in racks support FIFO; drive-through racks support LIFO
- Drive-in racks have one entry point; drive-through racks have entry and exit on opposite ends (Correct answer)
- Drive-in racks are used for small items; drive-through for pallets
- Drive-through racks are always automated; drive-in racks are manual
Correct answer: Drive-in racks have one entry point; drive-through racks have entry and exit on opposite ends
Drive-in racks have a single entry/exit point supporting LIFO, while drive-through racks have openings on both ends enabling FIFO rotation.
Question 2: In warehouse operations, what does 'put-away' refer to?
- Removing damaged goods from inventory
- The process of moving received goods to their storage locations (Correct answer)
- Staging outbound orders for shipping
- Auditing bin locations for accuracy
Correct answer: The process of moving received goods to their storage locations
Put-away is the process of transferring received inventory from the dock or staging area to designated storage locations in the warehouse.
Question 3: Which type of conveyor system is most commonly used to sort packages by destination in a distribution center?
- Belt conveyor
- Gravity roller conveyor
- Crossbelt sorter (Correct answer)
- Pneumatic conveyor
Correct answer: Crossbelt sorter
Crossbelt sorters use small embedded belt conveyors on each carrier to divert packages gently and accurately to destination lanes at high speeds.
Question 4: A warehouse manager wants to reduce 'honeycombing' waste. What is honeycombing?
- Overuse of pallet wrapping material
- Unusable empty space created when partial pallet positions are left vacant (Correct answer)
- The practice of mixing SKUs in a single bin
- Damage caused by forklift tine contact with racking
Correct answer: Unusable empty space created when partial pallet positions are left vacant
Honeycombing occurs when partially depleted storage lanes or positions leave unusable empty space that cannot be filled with other inventory.
Question 5: What is the primary advantage of using a warehouse management system (WMS) directed put-away over fixed-location storage?
- Eliminates the need for barcodes
- Dynamically assigns storage locations to maximize space utilization (Correct answer)
- Reduces the number of SKUs stored
- Eliminates the need for cycle counting
Correct answer: Dynamically assigns storage locations to maximize space utilization
WMS-directed put-away dynamically assigns available locations based on real-time inventory levels, product attributes, and space rules to optimize utilization.
Question 6: What hazard classification system must warehouses storing flammable liquids comply with in the US?
- OSHA 1910.110
- NFPA 30 (Correct answer)
- EPA Tier II
- DOT 49 CFR Part 172
Correct answer: NFPA 30
NFPA 30, the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, governs the storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids in warehouses.
Question 7: Which warehouse picking method has one picker complete all lines of a single order before moving to the next order?
- Batch picking
- Zone picking
- Discrete (single-order) picking (Correct answer)
- Wave picking
Correct answer: Discrete (single-order) picking
Discrete picking assigns one picker to fulfill all items of one order at a time, which is simple but can result in high travel distances.
CIM Warehouse Operations & Storage Systems 3
What is the key difference between a drive-in rack and a drive-through rack?