The supply petty officer is responsible for stowing materials properly and for protecting them from damage and deterioration while in stowage.

Photographic materials in both shipboard and shore storerooms should be arranged to do the following:

1. Ensure maximum use of available space.

2. Provide orderly stowage and ready accessibility.

3. Prevent damage to the ship, facility, or injury to personnel.

4. Reduce the possibility of material loss or damage.

5. Facilitate issues and inventories.

STOREROOM LAYOUT

Space permitting, you should adhere to the following guidelines when stowing supplies and equipment:

1. Locate heavy bulk materials in areas most convenient to hatches, doors, and material-handling equipment. This minimizes the physical effort required for loading, stowage, and breakouts.

2. Locate light bulky material in storerooms with high overhead clearances for maximum use of available space.

3. Segregate materials that are dissimilar in type or classification, such as hazardous and nonhazardous, classified and unclassified, and large and small materials.

4. Locate materials that are issued frequently as close as possible to the point of issue.

5. Locate shelf-life items (film, paper, and so on) in a readily accessible area to facilitate periodic screening.

6. Provide for aisles at least 30 inches wide between bins, racks, or cabinets.

7. Arrange materials so identification labels are facing outward to facilitate issues and inventory.

8. Avoid multiple locations for the same item.

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

Hazardous material includes all types of compressed gases, acids, paints, and materials that present a considerable fire hazard or are otherwise dangerous. Except as indicated below, these materials must be stowed in paint and flammable liquid storerooms.

Compressed Gases

Compressed gases must be stowed on the weather deck or outdoors and fastened securely in a vertical position. Cylinder valves should be protected from accumulations of ice and snow, and the cylinders should be screened from direct rays of the sun.

Acid

Liquid acid, unless classified as a safe material, should be stowed in lead-lined boxes.

SECURITY

Storerooms should be locked when not in use. Ordinarily, only the supply petty officers in charge of a storeroom and authorized assistants have access to the storeroom, and one of them must be present when the storeroom is open. Other persons may be admitted when necessary during receipt or issue of stores.

Access must be given to damage control and fire department personnel in the performance of their duties. Storerooms must be secured so ordinary damage control and emergency equipment can clear the entranceway.

STOCK CONTROL

The primary function of stock control is to ensure that materials are available in the proper amount, at the proper place, and at the proper time. To accomplish this, you must exercise continuous and cautious management of materials.

Stock records must be maintained properly to ensure material accountability, location of stock, and other vital information for reports to Navy inventory managers.

Knowing which catalog and requisition form to use is important. But just as important, you must know when to order supplies. You can accomplish this by using a definite system or procedure that includes stock record cards, logbooks, and inventories.