An important aspect of ammunition handling is transporting or shipping explosive materials. We mentioned earlier in this chapter that projectiles, missiles, and some of their components are shipped in specially constructed, airtight containers. When placing weapons in these containers, you should follow the packing procedures given in the associated publications for the weapons.

General instructions for preparing and shipping naval ordnance materials are contained in NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010, Volume 1 and Volume 2, Transportation and Storage Data for Ammunition, Explosives and Related Hazardous Materials. These publications contain information that you and your supervisors need to ship explosive materials efficiently and safely. If you are stationed at a facility where normal day-to-day operations involve receiving and shipping explosive materials, you should be familiar with the contents of NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010.

EXPLOSIVES DRIVER

Sometimes Fire Controlmen are assigned the duty of driving trucks that transport explosives or of operating the forklifts and cranes that load and offload the trucks. Basically, an explosives driver is a person with an excellent safe driving record, who is fully qualified according to NAVSEA OP 2239, Motor Vehicle Driver's Handbook Ammunition, Explosives and Related Hazardous Materials. If you are assigned duties as an explosives driver take a good look at the requirements you must meet to become certified to drive motor vehicles that transport ammunition, explosives, and hazardous materials.

Let's continue now with the requirements for storing these hazardous materials safely.

Q7.     What NAUSEA OP should you use to find general instructions for preparation and shipping ordnance items?

AMMUNITION STOWAGE

As a Fire Controlman, you will be responsible for the care of projectiles, missiles, and associated components while they are in stowage. This is an important task because these weapons and components will spend about 99 percent of their existence in stowage. This care is even more important aboard surface ships and submarines. Why? Because at shore stations weapons are stored in their shipping containers inside magazines. Aboard surface ships these weapons are stowed in missile tubes or magazines and are exposed to salt water and humidity. A large part of your job will involve maintaining the environmental control and fire suppression systems in magazines.

MAGAZINES

A magazine is any compartment, space, or locker used, or intended to be used, for ammunition stowage. From the magazine, we can expand to the "magazine area." A magazine area includes all compartments, spaces, or passages next to or surrounding a magazine. These places are used, or intended to be used, as the area for handling and passing ammunition. The areas around loaded freighters, railroad cars, and trucks are treated as magazine areas, too. The safety and security measures that apply to shipboard magazines and magazine areas also apply to these "portable" units.

Each magazine is specifically designed for the ammunition it will contain. As a general rule, different types of ammunition will be stowed in separate magazines or lockers. The highest possible degree of safety is obtained by not mixing different explosives in the same magazines or lockers.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Some stowage areas can be designated single-purpose or multipurpose magazines. While single-purpose stowage is desirable, it is not always possible. Often a ship's mission requires it to carry a variety of ammunition. Mixed-stowage in multipurpose and certain single-purpose magazines is acceptable. But, there are limitations and restrictions to mixed-stowage. Current safety instructions must be followed and proper authorization must be obtained for mixed-stowage. When mixed-stowage is authorized, it must conform, as close as possible, to the permissible stowage tables listed in NAUSEA OP 4, Ammunition Afloat.

There are five major types or classes of magazines. We will discuss the four types you will most likely encounter: primary magazines, missile magazines, ready-service magazines, and lockers. The fifth type is called a chemical magazine. Only lethal and incapacitating chemical ammunitions will be stowed in these extremely special magazines. Normally, chemical ammunition is not carried aboard ship.

A ship's primary and ready-service magazines normally stow its complete wartime allowance of ammunition.

Primary Magazines

Primary magazines are usually located below the main deck, preferably below the ship's waterline. Primary magazines must be well-insulated, ventilated, and have some means of temperature control. They must also have a sprinkler system that can be activated from both remote and local stations. Primary magazines must be closed and locked when unattended.

Missile Magazines

Due to the nature of guided missiles, a fine-line distinction exists between a missile magazine and a primary magazine. Most of the differences are minor and can be related to two factors. First, missile magazines contain various electrically- and hydraulically-powered equipment. Quite often, there is little or no physical separation between this equipment and the missiles. Therefore, the potential for fire is great. Fire detection and suppression assumes greater importance in missile magazines. Second, missile magazines are located close to their launchers. This closeness is necessary to reduce loading time and to support high rates of fire. Thus, missile magazines are generally located above the ship's waterline. For this reason, missile magazines are less protected than primary magazines and are more susceptible to battle damage and fire.

Missile magazines contain special features to combat the effects of accidentally ignited rocket motors. Restraining latches (e.g., cell latches) keep each missile from moving in the magazine. Blowout hatches, relief ports, and plenum exhaust vents pass rocket motor gases to the atmosphere. This prevents internal magazine pressures from building to dangerous levels.

Missile magazines are normally equipped with special combustion detection devices and contain automatic sprinkler systems, with remote and local activation capabilities. Missile magazines also have a water injection or booster suppression system. A carbon dioxide system may be installed in some magazines, especially in unmanned spaces. Missile magazines are insulated, have temperature control systems, and must be closed and locked when unattended.

Ready-Service Magazines

Ready-service magazines are located near the missile launcher they serve. They provide permanent stowage for part of the ship's ammunition allowance, especially gun-type ammunition. Generally, ready-service magazines have many of the same characteristics as primary magazines. They are insulated, ventilated, and have manually activated sprinkler systems.

Missile magazines, although in a class by themselves, are sometimes considered as ready-service magazines. Ready-service magazines must be closed and locked when unattended.

Lockers

A locker can be a small compartment or space. More often though, a locker is a metal box-like structure. In either case, a locker provides stowage for special types of ammunition such as detonators and pyrotechnic devices.

Lockers are frequently located on a ship's weather deck. They will be close to the weapon or area they are intended to serve. A label installed on the outside of each locker clearly identifies the type of explosives contained within the locker.

The contents of a locker must be arranged in a neat and orderly manner. When the locker's lid or door is closed, it cannot contact (or jam) any part of the ammunition. Securing and safety latches, hinges, and other hardware must be well-maintained and in good working condition. Sometimes, lockers are equipped with a sprinkler or flooding system. If such a system is installed, clear and legible operating instructions must be prominently displayed. Lockers must be kept closed and locked when unattended.