An effort must be made to provide at least 72 square feet of floor
space per individual.
When this standard cannot be achieved, the minimum sleeping area
per individual should not be less than 55 square feet.
(3) Sleeping area during emergencies and temporary peak billeting periods.
During emergencies and temporary peak billeting load periods, troops (other than
trainees) may be billeted at 40 square feet per soldier. However, commanders
authorizing this reduced floor space must recognize and be prepared to accept the
increased noneffectiveness from greater incidence of respiratory disease.
c. Cubicalization
(1) The Army practice. The Army has long practiced the head-to-foot
placement of beds to maximize the distance between the heads of personnel sleeping
in barracks.
The practice of "double decking" will further increase this distance
and aid in preventing the transmission of respiratory diseases.
(2) The individual cubicle system. In cases where crowding cannot be
avoided and/or respiratory diseases are present, the individual cubicle system may be
employed to minimize the transmission of disease agents through droplets and droplet
nuclei.
Bed cubicles are made by converting each bed space into its own
compartment with the use of improvised screens.
A common method is to attach a pole to the leg at the head of each
bed, extending approximately one foot above the head.
A shelter half, blanket, or sheet is then attached to the top of the pole
and the foot of the bed, with the lower portion tucked under the mattress.
This procedure establishes a physical barrier to the direct movement
of exhaled droplets from one individual to another.
d. Miscellaneous. Overcrowding should also be avoided in classrooms, day
rooms, and so forth, especially in periods of respiratory disease epidemics.
This may best be accomplished by using alternate seating arrangements.
In addition, maximum use of the outdoors for training is encouraged
MD0152
3-18