title = "Raw Material Storage: Conditions, Segregation, and Labeling"

content = """
Proper raw material storage at Ridgecrest Metalworks preserves material properties, maintains traceability, and prevents costly mix-ups between grades. The requirements apply from the moment material is accepted at receiving until it is issued to a work order.

**Environmental conditions.** Steel sheet, plate, and bar stock are stored in covered areas protected from rain and standing water. The main warehouse maintains ambient temperature above 50°F (10°C) to limit condensation-related corrosion. Stainless steel must be stored separately from carbon steel in a dedicated zone to prevent iron contamination from carbon steel dust and particles, which causes surface corrosion on stainless. Aluminum must be stored away from acids, caustics, and chlorine-bearing environments.

**Dunnage and off-floor storage.** No material rests directly on a bare concrete floor. Wooden dunnage boards, rubber matting, or steel support cradles elevate material at least 4 inches off the floor. This prevents moisture wicking and allows forklift entry. Coils stored eye-to-the-sky sit in rubber-lined saddle cradles properly sized to the coil weight and OD.

**Segregation requirements.**
- Carbon steel and stainless steel must have a minimum one-rack-section gap or a physical barrier between them.
- Different alloy grades (e.g., 1018 vs. 4140 bar) must be stored in separate cantilever arms or rack sections with individual grade labels.
- Non-conforming, quarantine, and production-ready materials are never stored in the same physical location.

**Labeling.** Every material lot must carry a durable label showing: material type and grade, heat/lot number, quantity and unit of measure, mill certification reference, receipt date, and storage location code. Labels must remain legible throughout storage. Replace any damaged or missing label immediately—unlabeled material is treated as non-conforming until identity is re-established by QA.

**Shelf-life tracking.** While most structural metals have no formal shelf life, certain specialty materials (pre-treated alloys, coated stock, and elastomer-coated surfaces) may have customer-specified storage limits. Check the PO and material specification for maximum storage time before issuing these materials.

Violations of segregation or labeling requirements must be reported to the quality department, which will assess whether traceability has been compromised.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
