Gunnery Officer

INFORMATION SHEET

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Information Sheet Number: 1.22

INTRODUCTION

It is a division officer's responsibility to recognize safety violations. In order to become proficient as a Gunnery Officer, an understanding of ordnance safety precautions and the installed systems is paramount. The Gunnery Officer should respond to safety precaution infractions, not research them.

REFERENCES

(a) NAVSEA OP 4 Ordnance Afloat

(b) NAVSEA OP 3347 Ordnance Safety Precautions

INFORMATION

A. STANDARD SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. MAGAZINE REQUIREMENTS

a. There are five major magazine types.

(1) Primary

(2) Missile

(3) Ready-service

(4) Lockers

(5) Chemical

b. NAVSEA OP 4 lists ammunition type and magazine type compatibility. Use tables 3.1 - 3.3 as a guide for any type of storage.

(1) Magazine type is listed across the top of the table, and ammunition type is listed along the side. A shaded box at the intersection of the two indicates compatibility within magazines.

NOTE: Must be compatible in all columns to be stored together (ex. missiles and missile fuzes).

(a) Compatibility is important for firefighting, sprinkler system type, explosive quantity, type of packing and rate of deterioration.

2. SAFETY AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MAGAZINE SPACES

a. Lights, spark and flame-producing devices

(1) Are not allowed in magazines.

(2) Only approved lights shall be used.

(3) Only special non-sparking tools are allowed to be used in magazines.

(4) Flammable liquids are not allowed in magazines. (i.e. paints, solvents)

b. High load heating work (i.e. welding)

(1) Remove all explosives.

c. Only authorized personnel in magazines

(1) Personnel should remain in the magazine only long enough to perform their duties.

(2) A current list of all personnel authorized to enter the magazine should be

conspicuously posted outside the magazine entrance and signed by the

Commanding Officer.

d. Magazine cleaning

(1) Keep magazines clean and dry at all times.

(2) Nothing shall be stored in magazines except explosives, containers, and authorized magazine equipment.

e. Piping

(1) Piping shall not run through a magazine.

f. Storage temperature

(1) The maximum safe storage temperature shall not be exceeded.

B. GUN MOUNT SAFETY

1. Mount Movement

a. With the exception of General Quarters, a safety watch should be posted outside the mount at all times during mount movement.

b. Never operate any equipment without first verifying that all personnel and/or foreign matter has been removed from the gunhouse.

2. Safety Devices

a. These devices should always be in good working order and should be inspected frequently to ensure they are so.

b. Safety equipment should never be altered. If rendered temporarily inoperative (by permission of Commanding Officer) place warning signs advising personnel.

c. Ensure that they are in place and used correctly by all personnel (i.e. switch covers, circuit breakers and other electrical equipment).

d. Ensure all personnel are trained in safety and understand how all the safety devices work.

3. Ammunition Handling

a. Except in cases of emergency, ammunition should not be transferred during fueling operations.

b. To minimize risk, ammunition should be handled as little as possible. Avoid dropping, bumping or denting any ammunition.

c. More specific information regarding ammunition handling is provided in lesson 1.16.

C. DAILY MAGAZINE INSPECTIONS

1. Gunner's Mates must perform a daily magazine inspection. Typically, this is done by the Duty Gunner's Mate. The guidance for conducting this inspection and other magazine related inspections is outlined in MIP 7000, Explosive Ordnance Safety Inspection, Ammunition Magazines. The following are some of the items from MRC 7000, D-1:

a. Inspect Containerized Ammunition Stowage

(1) Verify that containers are properly secured to prevent vertical or horizontal movement.

(2) Verify that stanchions are being used and holddown pins are in place.

(3) Verify that battens are in use and in good condition.

b. Inspect Ammunition Stowage Racks.

(1) Verify that stowage racks are firmly secured and in good condition.

(2) Verify that ammunition and equipment are secured for sea.

c. Inspect Magazine for Abnormal Alcohol/Ether, Nitrous Oxide, or Nitroglycerin Odor.

(1) Verify that no abnormal odors or fuel leakage exists.

d. Inspect Magazine for Thermometer and Magazine Temperature Record Card.

(1) Verify that a thermometer is mounted on the bulkhead.

(2) Verify that temperature record card shows magazine temperatures taken and recorded daily.

e. Inspect Magazine for Cleanliness and Security of Equipment.

(1) Verify that magazine is clean and securing devices not in use are secured

for sea.

(2) Verify that magazine does not contain unauthorized material such as:

(a) Paint cans and brushes

(b) Oily waste rags

(d) Solvents and volatile liquids

(e) Sand and gravel

(f) Abrasive substances of any kind

(g) Oil/fuel on deck

(h) Incompatible or unauthorized ammunition or explosives

f. Inspect Magazine Sprinkling System.

(1) If system has a single sprinkler board which services multiple

magazines, ensure downstream isolation valves, if installed, are locked in the

open position.

(2) Verify that:

(a) Sprinkling head valve assemblies are free of leaks.

(b) Sprinkler valves are not leaking oil or water.

(d) Sprinkler system stop-lift check valves are stowed in proper

position (normally check) by toggle pins and lead wire seal or plastic seal or are padlocked.

(e) Root valve is sealed in open position

(f) Handle of manual operating sprinkling control valve is protected and enclosed by sprinkler control boxes in open areas where

personnel may congregate and secured by a single strand of wire and lead seal, or plastic seal.

(g) End of drain line from control valves is open, permitting free flow of drain water.

(h) End of drain lines are free of leaks.

g. Inspect Noncontainerized Ammunition Stowage and Securing Devices.

(1) Verify that tiedowns are in use and in good condition.

(2) Verify that ammunition is secured for sea.

(3) Verify that stanchions and battens are in use and in good condition.

h. Physical Security Inspection.

(1) Verify that all accesses to magazine are secured.

(2) Verify that securing devices, bars and watertight dogs operate properly and are properly secured.

2. Gunnery Officers should familiarize themselves with this MRC and should use it during their personal magazine inspections.