DISPERSION OF AMMUNITION

Ammunition dispersement is a main consideration inlaying out an ammunition storage area at an advanced base. Each type of ammunition is stored in two widely separated areas. This prevents losing an entire supply of an ammunition item if there is a fire or explosion. Explosive stores are separated from other stores, as specified in the Q-D tables.

Group piles of ammunition stored in the open by categories. These groups are discussed in the following paragraphs. These groupings aren't compatibility

groups; they are only used to ensure safe distances are maintained between piles and stacks of ammunition.

CATEGORY A. This category of material presents a fire hazard. It includes propelling charges, bag charges, rocket motors, pyrotechnics, and small arms ammunition. Category A material should be separated from materials in the other categories (B through E) by at least 350 feet.

CATEGORY B. This category of material presents fire and fragment or fragment and explosion hazards. It includes fixed ammunition, separate loading projectiles, complete rockets (assembled or unassembled), grenades, and mortars. Category B material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 300 feet.

CATEGORY C. This category of material presents an explosion hazard This category includes bombs, warheads, depth charges, mines, demolition material, and bulk explosives. Category C material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 695 feet.

CATEGORY D. This category of material includes fuzes and detonators. Category D material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 200 feet.

CATEGORY E. This category of material includes chemical ammunition. Category E material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 400 feet.

Figure 12-8.-Ammunition site sign and card holder. 12-18

MAGAZINE MAINTENANCE, STORAGE, AND HANDLING REQUIREMENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the types of procedures used for magazine maintenance, storage, and handling to include personnel requirements, lightning protection systems, magazine security, and ammunition handling and shipping.

Proper explosives and ammunition storage facilities are only apart of the overall storage system. Among the most important aspects of the storage of ammunition is the proper maintenance of magazines and magazine areas.

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Normally, all personnel engaged in operations that involve ammunition, explosives, and other hazardous materials are trained and qualified to perform their ^{assigned duties.} In addition to being qualified and certified, personnel involved with hazardous explosive operations are certified by a physician as physically qualified. Personnel aren't knowingly permitted or required to work when their ability or alertness is impaired because of fatigue, illness, or other reasons. This would expose them and other personnel to injury.

Occasionally, manpower shortages cause a need for assistance by personnel from other Navy ratings to join working parties to handle or transport ammunition and explosives. These working parties are referred to as augmentation crews. Before using augmentation crews, try to make sure that personnel in the working party are

trained so mistakes aren't made or safety factors violated Furthermore, make sure enough qualified representatives, preferably officers or petty officers that are senior in rank to any member of the working party, are present to detect or prevent violations of safety orders and other unsafe practices. They should take whatever action is required to correct the situation.

LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Lightning protection is required for all ordnance handling buildings, storage facilities, and handling areas that have more than 5 days per year when thunderstorms occur.

There are two types of lightning protection systems-primary and secondary. The primary system prevents damage from direct lightning strikes by diverting the strike and providing a low-impedance path to ground. The secondary system maintains all metal objects within its system at the same electrical potential. This prevents the possibility of sparking between the objects.

Primary Systems

There are two types of primary lightning protection systems acceptable to NAVSEASYSCOM-the separately mounted lightning mast system and the separately mounted overhead ground (aerial shield) wire system.

LIGHTNING MAST SYSTEM.- This type of primary system consists of lightning masts (freestanding air terminals) placed around a facility and

connected to a buried primary girdle. A sufficient number of masts are used to protect the entire structure within the combined cones of the masts. The number and height of masts required to adequately protect a structure is determined by the dimensions of the structure.

OVERHEAD GROUND (AERIAL SHIELD) WIRE SYSTEM.- This system consists of overhead lightning protection conductors spanned between lightning masts above a facility. The conductors are connected to a buried ground girdle or to ground rods only, depending upon the type of installation.

Secondary System

The secondary lightning protection system consists of a buried girdle to which all metal parts are connected at the lowest point. This implies that electrical access to all reinforced steel must be provided during

construction. The normal wire ties are considered sufficient to provide electrical connection between the sections of reinforced steel that are in contact with each other.