Ammunition Lot Number

An ammunition lot is a quantity of ammunition assembled from uniform components under similar conditions. A lot is expected to function in a uniform manner. Each ammunition lot (table 12-3) is assigned a code number (ammunition lot number) that identifies all ammunition items assembled as part of that lot. For specific ammunition lot numbers, you should refer to Identification of Ammunition, NAVSEA OP 2238/ NAVAIR 11-1-117.

Table 12-3.-Derivation of Lot Number MAGAZINES

Explosives and ammunition are stowed in magazines or areas designated for the specific materials. NAVSEASYSCOM designs and designates all magazines or storage areas. The type and amount of material that may be stowed in any magazine depends on the type of magazine in relation to the quantitydistance requirements.

Types of Magazines

Magazines located at naval air stations and other naval installations are of various sizes, types of construction, and classes, depending upon the nature of the material to be stowed. Magazines are designated as high-explosive magazines, smokeless-powder magazines, and ready-service magazines according to their intended use. Magazines are further classified by type of design-surface, subsurface, arch-type, earth-covered, or barricaded.

Recently designed magazines used to store smokeless powder, pyrotechnics, loaded projectiles, fixed ammunition, small-arms ammunition, and other fire or missile hazard materials are of two general types-the rectangular, earth-covered magazine and the concrete, triple-arch, earth-covered magazine.

1. The rectangular, earth-covered magazine (50 feet by 100 feet) is constructed of reinforced concrete throughout.

2. The concrete, triple-arch, earth-covered magazine has three arches. The combined arches make up a single magazine; however, each arch is separated by a minimum of 10 feet at the door, and the space is filled with dirt. The standard floor size of each arch in the triple-arch construction is 25 feet by 80 feet. Each of the three arches maybe used for a different type of compatible material.

Magazines constructed since 1928 that are used for storing high-explosive, bomb-type ammunition, and other explosive hazard materials are made of reinforced concrete, single-arch, earth-covered type construction, and they are barricaded at the entrance end. These magazines have been constructed in three sizes:

1. The 25 feet by 50 feet and the 25 feet by 40 feet sizes are suitable for the stowage of 250,000 pounds net weight of explosives.

2. The 25 feet by 80 feet size is suitable for the stowage of 500,000 pounds net weight of explosives.

Additionally, the following miscellaneous types of magazines may be found at certain establishments.

KEYPORT. The keyport magazine is earthcovered and arch-shaped with a prefabricated concrete construction. It has interior floor dimensions of 6 feet _{by 8 feet 8 inches.} The height of the arch is approximately 6 feet.

BOX. A box magazine is of concrete construction, rectangular shape, and normally measures 12 feet by 17 feet.

CORBETTA. A corbetta magazine is of concrete construction and is shaped like a beehive or dome.

GALLERY. A gallery magazine is a tunnel or cave, and the dimensions will vary.

MISCELLANEOUS OR NONSTANDARD.

The physical dimensions of the miscellaneous or nonstandard magazine depend on the type of stowed material and the location of the magazine.

OPEN STORAGE (REVETTED). The type and amount of explosives stowed in open stowage (revetted) depend on the size and location of the storage area.

Quantity-Distance (Q-D) Requirements

Quantity-distance (Q-D) requirements apply to the concentration of ammunition, explosives, and other hazardous materials at Naval Shore Establishments for development; manufacturing; test and maintenance; storage, loading and off-loading of vehicles, railcars and aircraft; disposal; and all related handling incidents.

Quantity-distance (Q-D) requirements are based on records of actual fires and explosions involving ammunition and explosives. Q-D requirements safeguard personnel against possible serious injury or equipment destruction from possible fires or explosions. These requirements also protect the inhabitants of nearby communities, private and public property, and the Naval Shore Establishment personnel. These requirements keep the loss of valuable ammunition stores (including inert ordnance items) to a minimum if there were a fire or explosion.

The Department of Defense (DOD) Q-D hazard classification system is based on a system recommended for international use by the United Nations Organization (UNO). The UNO system has nine classes of hazardous material; but, DOD only uses three of the nine classes-Class 1, explosives; Class 2, Division 3, poison A, and Class 6, poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances. Table 12-4 identifies each of the nine classes.

Table 12-4.-United Nations Organization Hazard Classes

In reviewing table 12-4, you can see that some items are placed in classes other than Class 1. Since DOD uses only Class 1 items for explosives, Class 1 assignments have been made. For example, fuel-air-explosive (FAE) weapons without properly installed explosive componments belong in UNO Class 3, while WP M23 igniters belong in UNO Class 4. However, to maintain identity, DOD places these items in Class 1 for storage only until DOD implements other classes. As an AO, you are involved with the storage of Class 1 material; therefore, the information contained in this section only deals with Class 1 classifications.

DOD Hazard Class 1 is subdivided into divisions 1 through 5, based on the character and predominance of the associated hazards and the potential for causing personnel casualties or property damage. These subdivision are not based upon compatibility groups or

Table 12-5.-Hazard Class 1 Division Designators and Types of Hazards

intended use. The divisions within Class 1 and the expected hazard for each division is listed in table 12-5.

MASS-DETONATING HAZARD MATE-RIALS (CLASS 1, DIVISION 1).- Damage from mass-detonating hazard materials is caused by concussion or blast or by sympathetic detonation. Prescribed distances between piles of these materials and between magazines containing these materials must be maintained to minimize the possibility of sympathetic detonation or propagation. Ammunition and explosives that are considered mass-detonating hazards are Hazard Class 1, Division 1.

NON-MASS-DETONATING HAZARD, FRAGMENT-PRODUCING MATERIALS (CLASS 1, DIVISION 2).- The principal hazards for items within this division are fragment and blast, either individually or in combination, depending on such factors as storage configuration, type of packing, and quantity. The designated minimum distances are based upon the limited range of fragments. These are the distances that must be used for protection of inhabited buildings and public traffic routes. Since fragmentproducing materials can be grouped according to the range of the fragments produced, four fragment distance categories have been established. This permits flexibility of storage. Most fragments produced by incidents in this division will fall within one of four specified minimum distances-400, 800, 1,200, and 1,800 feet.