STOREROOM SECURITY
Security of the bulk storeroom has been mentioned several times in this chapter but security cannot be overemphasized. No matter how well you fulfill other requirements for good stowage, without proper security your efforts will be useless. Security is not only important from a standpoint of preventing unauthorized use, pilferage, and theft of stock, it also prevents damage to stock and storeroom facilities and hazards to personnel and the ship due to improper stowage.

SPECIAL STOWAGE
Most items of supply are of such a nature that special stowage is not required. However, there are some items that require special considerations. For instance, some materials have characteristics that require the materials to be specially stowed or handled to prevent a hazard to personnel or facilities. Other materials require a high degree of protection because they have a limited stowage life and care must be taken to make sure the oldest stock or that which may have an earlier manu-facture date is issued first. Also many foods or confections must be stowed in areas where the temperature can be controlled to prevent deterioration. When planning the stowage of ship's store items, you must recognize these factors and take appropriate action.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Certain materials with inherent hazardous properties require special stowage facilities and handling precautions. The Naval Ships' Technical Manual, chapter 670, and the Consolidated Hazardous Item List (CHIL), NAVSUP P-4500 (now known as the Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) List, DOD 6050.5) outline the requirements for stowage of dangerous, semisafe, and safe materials and list these materials under each classification.

Dangerous Materials
Dangerous materials include all types of compressed gases and materials that present a considerable fire hazard or other dangerous characteristics. These materials must be stowed in a cage within the paint and flammable liquid storerooms with access limited to the responsible custodian. Paint and oil constitute the bulk of material in this category that is stocked. The paint and flammable liquid storerooms are normally provided with sprinklers and CO2 smothering systems that may be activated by automatic temperature sensitive devices inside the storerooms and by manual controls outside the storerooms. A flooding system operated manually outside the storerooms is an additional safety factor. When practical, these storerooms are located below the full load waterline, near either end of the vessel, and not adjacent to a magazine. They are equipped with watertight doors that must be locked and dogged when not in use.

Semisafe Materials
Semisafe materials include linseed oil, paints, and metal polish. These materials are considered safe as long as the containers have not been opened and do not leak. Any leakage must be cleaned up promptly and also the leaking or opened container issued for use or otherwise disposed of. All semisafe materials must be stowed in the paint and flammable liquids storeroom.

Safe Materials
Safe materials include deck wax, furniture polish, and laundry blue. Safe materials are not subject to spontaneous combustion and present no particular hazard due to reactions that might arise from broken containers. No special stowage, fire protection, or ventilation is needed for safe materials.