TITLE: AMMUNITION STOWAGE, MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT, AND MAGAZINE OPERATIONS

(d) NAVSEA SG420-AP-MMA-010 PERIODIC TESTING FOR ORDNANCE HANDLING EQUIPMENT

(e) TOPIC 73.10 EXPLOSIVE HANDLING PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (EHPQCP)

1. All personnel whose duties require that they inspect, prepare, adjust, handle, or arm explosive devices.

2. Operators of handling equipment and gun/magazine crews.

3. Ammunition handlers for onload/offload working parties DO NOT have to be certified under this program, however they must be briefed before each evolution with respect to the safety precautions associated with handling weapons.

1. A board shall be appointed by the Commanding Officer and shall include, as a minimum the cognizant department head and not less than one individual of the rate of E-6 or above who is himself, certified to perform the functions being certified.

2. The board chairman will be assigned by the Commanding Officer, he may designate a cognizant department head to fulfill the duty. All appointments to the board will be made in writing and by name.

6. Specific safety precautions. (i.e., removal of rings, watches)

Since it is not always possible to ascertain readily whether assembled ammunition components have been inadvertently armed during stowage or handling, assemblies with firing mechanisms shall always be handled and treated as if armed.

a. Provide a qualifed safety observer (EHPQCP) to supervise ammunition handling onboard the ship and assist the OIC of the evolution (CSO) as required. He will be GMC (SW) YYY during this evolution.

b. Providing personnel to can ammunition on the pier under the direction of the waterfront foreman.

e. Monitoring all shipboard magazine sprinkler systems.

a. The exercise of the utmost care and prudence in the handling of ammunition is mandatory. No relaxation of vigilance will be permitted.

b. Each loading or offloading operation will have assigned a qualified safety supervisor in accordance with references (a), (b), and (c). This person shall ensure that safe handling procedures and fire prevention measures are taken and shall have the authority to stop any unsafe handling operation.

c. There will be no smoking, hot work, electrical repairs or transferring of fuel while ammunition is being handled. Smoking will be permitted only in the area designated by the Ammunition Handling Officer and the Navy Explosive Safety Supervisor.

d. No spark producing devices, excluding motor vehicles required in the handling evolution, shall be permitted or used in the work area. Motor vehicles for ammunition handling shall meet the requirements of references (d) and (f).

e. Fire hoses shall be laid out and charged for quick use during the entire operation. Hoses shall be of sufficient length so that all ammunition on the pier and on the ship's weather decks can be reached immediately by two streams. Water supply will be from the ship's firemain with a minimum of ___psi continuous supply pressure. Fire hose source valves shall be cracked open so casual observation of the hoses can be made to verify operation. The DCA will brief the repair parties on ordnance fire fighting, OTTO II fuel hazards, and will ensure the fire hoses are laid out and charged.

f. Each loading area shall have safety signs to indicate no smoking and no hot work within 100 feet. An audible announcement over the 1MC shall be made every 15 minutes.

g. NWS Fire Department will be on standby while handling ammunition.

h. Ammunition shall be kept under positive control at all times during the handling evolution. At no time will ammunition be thrown, tossed or freely slid. Rough handling of ammunition shall not be permitted.

i. All personnel involved with ammunition handling shall be thoroughly indoctrinated with the safety precautions of this instruction. Only qualified and certified personnel will be utilized in supervising ammunition handling evolutions.

j. If at any time during the operation it becomes apparent that personnel are not sufficiently indoctrinated consistent with proper ammunition safety practices, operation shall be terminated and shall not be resumed until personnel are full indoctrinated.

k. No equipment will be involved with ammunition handling operations unless certified specifically for ammunition handling and PMS requirements have been completed.

l. Ammunition taken onboard ship will be struck below immediately and stored in the designated magazine.

m. Unauthorized personnel will not be allowed within the safety barrier, and authorized personnel will be kept to a minimum.

n. Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) restrictions for all radar, radio, and other electronic equipment shall be in effect while located at NWS. Walkie Talkies may/may not be utilized on low power. (Check with NWS on actual restrictions on VHF usage)

o. Ammunition handling evolutions will not be undertaken unless environmental conditions are suitable.

p. Handlers shall remove all watches, rings, keys, and cigarette lighters from their person. Belt buckles will be reversed. Steel toed safety shoes and the setting of battle dress is required for all personnel involved. Hard hats are required for all topside personnel.

q. Two lines, capable of being used to move the ship, will be dipped to the outboard side. Fire axes will be placed by each mooring line ready for use if required.

_______ On station safety brief conducted by safety observers, and proper dress for all

_______ VLS handling equipment inventoried and on station.

1. While fair weather is never a sure thing, use sound judgement and never load in an electrical storm. (5 MILES RADIUS)

2. The Commanding Officer of the weapons station is charged with making decisions concerning the environment.

3. Ammunition handling is not permitted at night while inport without a waiver.

E. HERO restrictions, as they apply to ordnance, may be found in OP-3565.

F. Concurrent operations, such as refueling, hot work and rearming at the same time is strictly prohibited.

A. How do I know if my magazine is ready for ammunition stowage?

B. Ammunition spaces shall be kept neat, clean and ready for sea at all times.

2. Magazines will be inspected daily using the appropriate MRC cards.

4. "AMMUNITION FARSIDE, NO SMOKING" signs must be posted on all bulkheads, decks, and overheads in all spaces adjacent to magazines.

5. Sprinkler systems must be in good working order. (Should be tested at least one week prior to onload.)

4. Do not stow drill ammunition in the magazine if possible. At the very least put it in a separate bin.

5. Ensure munitions are stowed in accordance with the compatability charts in OP-4.

1. These Mishap reports are used to generate Notice of Ammunition Reclassification (NAR's) normally received via message.

2. Two copies of NAR's shall be kept, one by NALC and one by LOT number. These files shall be maintained until the annual incorporation into NAVSEA TWO24-AA-ORD-010 "Ammunition Unserviceable, Suspended and Limited Use." An incoming log of all NAR serial numbers and message DTG's should be maintained to help ensure continuity.

1. Temperatures must be taken and logged hourly in red and actions taken to reduce temperatures will also be logged.

2. Artificially cool as practical. Actions could include, but are not limited to:

3. If ammunition is exposed to high temperatures (110-119^oF for 500 hours it must be expended or turned into the weapons station.

4. If temperatures reach 120-130^oF for 100 hours it shall be expended having the highest priority, or turned into a weapons station.

5. If temperatures exceed 130^oF the ammunition should be turned into the weapons station.

I. Magazine alarms consist of three separate alarm systems that are normally monitored at the DC console, and may have remote indicators on the Bridge and all Quarterdeck locations. They are:

1. "F" alarm: High temperature alarm located throughout all magazines. The number of the sensors is determined by the size of the magazine, but are never less than two. They are set to alarm at 105^oF.

2. "FH" alarm: This alarm activates when the CLAVALVE in the magazine sprinkler system lifts and allows water into the magazine. It is located downstream of the CLA VALVE and could also be activated by a seal leaking by. Normal automatic activation occurs at approximately 160^oF in the magazine.

3. "FD" alarm: This alarm is located at the lowest point in the magazine, approximately 1/2" above the deck. It has a float in it that raises as the magazine floods and activates a flooding alarm.

1. Gun magazines are covered by Dry Sprinkler systems.

2. Missile magazines are covered by a combination of sprinkler and injection system.

3. CO-2 Systems can be found in the GMLS MK 13.

1. General Fleet Findings:

1. Where installed, humidistats should be placed in operation. However, no additional humidistats should be installed. Their contribution to control of relative humidity is low.

2. GMTR and T-SAMs should be brought up to the rail for PMS only, and only under benign conditions.

3. Repair ventilation systems and place in automatic operation. All repair requirements noted in the assist team visits are considered to be within shipforce capability.

4. Add missile magazine environmental control and maintenance training to GMM rate.

5. PCO, PXO, Weapons Department Head and Division Officer, Missile Division Officer should receive a missile corrosion briefing in pipeline training.

6. All remaining STANDARD missile capable ships should receive an assist visit.

7. Standardize all missile magazine thermostatic control systems, replace existing Detroit 222-10N control devices with 2PD control devices. The 2PD control is cheaper than the Detroit 222-10N ($74.00 vice $110.00). The 2PD controls two solenoid valves, Detroit 222-10N controls one. Thus fewer 2PD's are required.

8. MRC'S S-1 for SM-1 MR should be changed to recommend the PMS be done inport in order to reduce risk of corrosion.

9. Develop ILS for thermostatic control system devices and associated solenoid valves including PMS, training, technical manuals.

10. Develop and publish a clear description and operating guideline for the Winter Disconnect Switch.

11. Publish clear guidance on the proper choice of magazine thermometer to obtain proper high/low readings and how to mount it to read air temperature and not bulkhead temperature.

12. Develop updates for OP-4 and the STANDARD Missile OP's which clarify the various guidelines for temperature limits and relative humidity to help the ships understand the requirements and eliminate the current ambiguities.

13. Develop and install a FFG 7 Class SHIPALT, increasing the heating capacity of the missiles magazine heater.

1. Two-Position-Dual (2PD) thermostat are generally used for controlling solenoid valves on cooling and heating coils and also for controlling electric reheaters. Designed so the cooler and heater cannot be operated together.

2. Type 222-10N thermostats are used when a remote bulb is required due to explosion-proof requirements in the space to be controlled.

3. Type "R" thermostats and temperature regulator valves are sometimes used for reheater control. The temperature regulator valve is a simple packless valve actuated by a self-contained fluid thermostatic control (Type "R" thermostat).

Replenishment air from the weather is provided in air conditioning systems for odor removal, oxygen replenishment and carbon dioxide dilution. The required amount of replenishment air (or rate of change) is given in ship design drawings and/or specifications.

The Navy standard fans provide the forced air circulation through the system. The two common types of fans are the centrifugal and the vaneaxial; their descriptions are as follows:

1. Centrifugal Fans- Centrifugal units are usually selected for use in systems which exhaust an explosive or flammable gas because their motors are located outside the airstream. Therefore, centrifugal fans having been isolated from the airstream by virtue of location, are preferred for these applications except where compactness is a prime consideration. See Figure 3.

2. Vaneaxial Fans- Vaneaxial fans are installed in the ductwork with the air passing through the impeller and then over the motor. Fans are attached to the motor casing to straighten out the spiralling flow of air from the impeller. Axial fans are ideal for use in all applications where there are both inlet and outlet ducts where there is no change in direction of air flow. See Figure 4.

Navy standard air filters are the cleanable, viscous, high-velocity impingement type where dirt particles and fine lint in the air stream are collected on the filtering media by the application of a thin film of oil (filter adhesive). These filters are provided in front of cooling coils in air conditioning systems to prevent rapid fouling of the cooling coil. After cleaning (washing, thorough rinsing and drying) the filters shall be re-oiled. If a thin coat of air filter adhesive is not applied to the filtering media, dirt particles and fine lint will not adhere to the filtering media, but will pass through the filter and collect on the cooling coil. For detailed maintenance of air filters see Maintenance Requirement Cards.

Some filters are equipped with automatic filter load gages or vanes. Gages and vanes should be marked or set to indicate when pressure drop across the filter has increased to three times the pressure drop of a clean filter, at which time filters require cleaning.

Navy standard duct cooling coils are utilized for cooling the air in the missile magazine. The tube and fin type coil utilize the ships chilled water (45⁰F) passing through the tubes to cool the air. As the air passes over the coils, the air temperature drops and moisture condenses on the tubes, if the temperature drops below the dew point. The moisture drains into the coil drain pan and into the ship's drain system.

The amount of chilled water flow through the coil is controlled by a constant flow regulator which provides a constant flow through the coil independent of chilled water system pressure. Older systems may utilize Venturi flow meters and lock shield valves. Increasing the coil flow beyond the design flow will generally make only a slight increase in performance.

The space temperature is controlled by a thermostat type 222-10N or 2PD. The thermostats control the solenoid valve on the chilled water line to the coil.

Heating coils are always installed downstream of the cooling coil and utilize steam or electricity for heat. Steam heaters are controlled by a thermostat, type 222-10N 2PD or Type "R". Type 222-10N and 2PD send an electrical signal to the steam line solenoid valve. The Model "R" thermostat is connected to a temperature regulator in the steam line. Electric heaters are controlled by a thyristor power controller and type "J" thermocouple or by a 2PD thermostat. The heater may be additionally controlled by a humidistat.

Air conditioning systems incapable of inherently meeting the 55% maximum relative humidity limitations shall have humidistats connected to control the reheater. As humidity increases beyond the humidistat set point, the reheater is energized, increasing the space temperature. As the temperature increases beyond cooling thermostat set point, the cooling coil is energized, thus condensing moisture from the air and lowering the humidity.

The design conditions of Gun Ammunition and Missile magazines, per the Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Heating Design Criteria manual, NAVSEA 0938-018-0010, is 75^oF/55% relative humidity for the cooling season and 65^oF for the heating season. Individual ship design specifications may deviate slightly from these requirements. When magazine temperatures are kept to these limits, the amount of condensation in the magazine is reduced to a minimum. COLDER IS NOT BETTER!

1. Humidity - dampness in air

2. Relative Humidity - expressed as percentage ratio of partial pressure of water vapor of air-vapor mixture to the pressure of saturated water vapor at the dry bulb temperature. NOTE: This can be used to approximate percentage of maximum amount of water air can hold.

3. Condensation - physical process by which a liquid is removed from a vapor or vapor mixture.

d. Dry Bulb Temperature - the temperature indicated by a thermometer with a clean, dry sensing element that is shielded from radiation.

e. Wet Bulb Temperature - lowest temperature indicated by a moistened thermometer bulb when evaporation of the moisture takes place in a current air-vapor mixture as it moves over the instrument; and indication of moisture in the air.

The amount of water or dampness the air can hold at standard pressure is dependent upon temperature. The amount of water air can hold increases quickly with temperature. As warm, moist air is lowered in temperature, and the air can no longer retain all the moisture, the excess moisture will condense out of the air on any cooler surface.

Since no personnel are stationed in the magazine, the only source of moisture is from the weather, replenishment air, air leakage, and/or open hatch. Replenishment air passes over the cooling coil prior to entering the space, therefore, all excess moisture condenses on the coil. Air leaving the coil is generally at a high relative humidity (due to its low temperature) but a low moisture content. As the air heats to space temperature, the relative humidity will decrease to below 50%.

During the heating season when the cold weather air can hold little moisture, condensation should not be present.Only during the cooling season is condensation a possible problem. To minimize condensation it is of paramount importance that the magazine be maintained at 80^oF and no colder. Air at 80 degrees can hold twice as much moisture as 60^oF air. Since the only source of condensation will be weather leakage, the warmer the compartment, the less chance of condensation.

The manual operating stem on the solenoid valves must be in the fully clockwise position for automatic operation by the thermostat. The manual operating valve opens the valve when in counter-clockwise position.