Are eaves and guttering free of birds’ nesting materials? Are service duct entries (water, electricity) screened against birds and rodents? Warehouse internal Are walls structurally sound, clean and as smooth as possible? Is the roof inside in good repair? Are windows and ventilators in good condition and screened to prevent access by birds and rodents? Are doors sound, well-fitting and secure? Are rodent barriers in good condition and in place? Are internal drainage pipes functional and in good condition? Are concrete floors smooth and crack-free? Is there any evidence of insect infestation? Is the lighting adequate and functioning? Is the equipment in working order? Have the scale and (if available) weighbridge been recently calibrated? Have spare parts (eg batteries for moisture meters) been replenished? General information Are licenses current and will they cover the storage period? Are the insurances current and will they cover the storage period? Does the warehouse have suitable staff? Is there any need of additional staff training?
INSPECTION OF COMMODITIES IN STORE This involves taking an in depth look at the commodities, the packaging and the stacking arrangements in storage. The basic tools required for inspection comprises a notebook, flashlight, knife, sampling spear, sample bags, labels, sieves and a hand lens. Effective inspection depends upon access to all parts of the store. For stacked commodities there is need for sufficient space around the stack to examine the sides and the top surface. The best time to inspect commodities is when it is being moved into or out of the warehouse because all parts of each lot can be examined. However, routine inspections of commodities in store are needed to detect any early signs of deterioration. In the tropics, one of the major causes of loss is insect infestation. The description of methods of inspection that follows concentrates upon the 51 | Staple Crops Storage Manual