CMC Packing Material & Technique Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mover is packing a box with both heavy books at the bottom and fragile ceramics on top. What is the maximum recommended total box weight?
- 25 lbs
- 35 lbs (Correct answer)
- 50 lbs
- 65 lbs
Correct answer: 35 lbs
The industry standard caps mixed-content boxes at approximately 35 lbs to protect handlers from injury and prevent structural box failure.
Question 2: Stretch wrap is most appropriately used during a move to:
- Cushion fragile items inside boxes
- Bundle and secure drawers, doors, and furniture components (Correct answer)
- Replace moving blankets on wood surfaces
- Seal cardboard boxes instead of tape
Correct answer: Bundle and secure drawers, doors, and furniture components
Stretch wrap excels at bundling loose parts and keeping furniture doors/drawers closed without leaving adhesive residue.
Question 3: When packing a grandfather clock for moving, which component requires special attention FIRST?
- The clock hands must be removed or secured
- The pendulum must be removed and wrapped separately (Correct answer)
- The weights must be polished before packing
- The glass door should be taped shut only
Correct answer: The pendulum must be removed and wrapped separately
The pendulum must always be removed first to prevent it from swinging and damaging the movement or case during transit.
Question 4: Which box type is specifically designed for packing lamps with shades intact?
- Dish barrel
- Lamp box (telescoping box) (Correct answer)
- Wardrobe box
- Book box
Correct answer: Lamp box (telescoping box)
Telescoping lamp boxes adjust in height to accommodate various lamp sizes while keeping the shade protected without compression.
Question 5: A consultant recommends 'cell boxes' (divider boxes) to a customer. These are best suited for packing:
- Heavy books
- Bottles of wine or liquor (Correct answer)
- Folded clothing
- Power tools
Correct answer: Bottles of wine or liquor
Cell boxes contain cardboard dividers that isolate each bottle, preventing contact and breakage during transport.
Question 6: What is the primary reason moving blankets (furniture pads) should NOT be used as the sole layer of protection for antique wood furniture?
- They are too heavy for delicate pieces
- They can trap moisture against the wood surface causing warping or mildew (Correct answer)
- They are not thick enough for any furniture
- They leave fiber residue permanently on wood
Correct answer: They can trap moisture against the wood surface causing warping or mildew
Moving blankets can hold moisture against wood surfaces during long-distance hauls, potentially causing warping, staining, or mildew growth.
Question 7: When labeling packed boxes, which information is MOST critical to include for efficient unloading at the destination?
- The packer's name and packing date only
- Destination room, contents category, and fragile notation if applicable (Correct answer)
- Box number and total box count only
- Customer account number and move date
Correct answer: Destination room, contents category, and fragile notation if applicable
Destination room, contents category, and fragile markings allow crew members to place and handle boxes correctly without opening them.
CMC Packing Material & Technique Standards 3
A mover is packing a box with both heavy books at the bottom and fragile ceramics on top.
What is the maximum recommended total box weight?