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AMMUNITION STORAGE AND HANDLING ASHORE Ammunition storage ashore applies to the storage of explosives, ammunition, and ammunition components in two different types of environments and operational conditions. When ammunition is stored at permanently established storage locations, such as naval air stations, naval stations, or other ammunition activities, extensive safety and procedural requirements exist. However, strategic operations may necessitate the establishment of ammunition storage facilities at advanced bases. Although governing regulations exist for the storage of ammunition at advanced bases, they are not as extensive as those governing permanent storage requirements and regulations. The following text covers ammunition storage ashore and ammunition storage ashore for advanced bases. AMMUNITION STORAGE ASHORE All units of the Naval Shore and Marine Corps Establishments that produce, store, ship, or otherwise handle ammunition, explosives, and other hazardous materials are under the management and control of NAVSEASYSCOM. Also, NAVSEASYSCOM manages and controls the technical aspects of assembling, maintaining, storing, issuing, shipping, and handling ammunition, explosives, or other hazardous materials. Service AmmunitionAmmunition intended for operational use is classified as service ammunition. The warhead contains explosives, pyrotechnics, or chemical agent filler. If required, the propellant is of service or reduced charge weight. Aircraft service ammunition is identified as either armament (kill stores) or ordnance (search stores). Nonservice Ammunition Ammunition used for training personnel is classified as nonservice ammunition. This ammunition may be actual service (tactical) quality or may be specially modified or loaded practice ammunition, inert training, inert dummy/drill, or exercise/recoverable ammunition. PRACTICE/TRAINING AMMUNITION .—This ammunition is designed for training, practice, or systems testing purposes. It is actually launched, fired, or dropped. It may be a modification of service ammunition designed specifically for practice. Practice ammunition may or may not contain explosive or pyrotechnic materials. Practice ammunition may be either expendable or recoverable, depending upon the device involved. DUMMY DRILL/INERT AMMUNITION .—This ammunition is completely inert ammunition. It is used to represent the service ammunition for display purposes, testing weapons, and weapons handling operations. It is also used to develop assembly, testing, and handling proficiency of personnel without actually firing or launching the ammunition. EXERCISE/RECOVERABLE AMMUNITION .— This is service ammunition that is functional in all respects except for the explosive payload. The payload furnishes operational data by the substitution of recoverable exercise components. Pyrotechnics, dye marker, or explosive fittings may be attached to or incorporated in the ammunition.AMMUNITION STORAGE ASHORE FOR ADVANCED BASES Advanced base is the general term for a temporary base that is in or near a forward area outside the zone of the interior. The primary mission of an advanced base is to support wartime operations of the armed forces. Advanced bases are established to perform one or more of the following functions: to hold threatened strategic areas; to protect, or be part of, a line of communications and supply; to serve as a base for direct offensive operations; or to serve as a base for mounting or supporting further offensives. If a valid reason for not complying with storage and handling regulations/instructions at advanced bases is not contained in NAVSEA OP 5, VOL 1, you need to refer to Ammunition Ashore, NAVSEA OP 5, VOL 3.AMMUNITION STORING AND HANDLING FACILITIES When you establish an advanced base, divide the storing and handling facilities into areas. These areas should correspond to the functions required by the mission of the base, to make ordnance-handling operations easier and smoother, and to isolate hazards. Areas at advanced bases are designated as magazine, renovation, disposal, pier, enemy ammunition, and administration and personnel areas. These areas are discussed briefly in the following paragraphs. Magazine Areas. Provide two or more magazine or storage areas for each advanced base. This allows you to disperse ammunition stows, and makes it easier to receive and issue ammunition. The primary objective in dispersing ammunition is to prevent the complete loss of a single type of ammunition because of fire, accidental explosion, or hostile action. Ample provision should be made for expansion during the initial planning of magazine areas. Renovation Areas. Some ammunition received at advanced bases would become unserviceable if it were improperly handled or exposed to the elements. This would make it require renovation. Since renovation operations may be performed at advanced bases, a suitable area must be provided for segregation, exterior maintenance, and modification operations. Disposal Areas. Normally, an area unusable for other purposes is chosen for an ammunition disposal area. The disposal site should be at least 800 yards from the nearest ammunition storage site and any inhabited area of the base. The site should be cleared of all vegetation. A powder burning area, detonation pits, and a component popping pit should be included in the site. Provide a splinter proof or other suitable shelter to protect personnel during demolition operations. Where facilities are available, ammunition may be destroyed by dumping at sea. Existing directives should be consulted for disposal procedures. Pier Areas. In the initial stages of construction of an ammunition storage area at an advanced base, an isolated and separate ammunition pier should be provided. Such a facility eliminates congestion, delay, and unnecessary hazards when loading and unloading general cargo, fuels, and ammunition. Enemy Ammunition Areas . A separate area should be provided for storing captured enemy ammunition. This area should be at least 800 yards from the other storage areas.Administration and Personnel Areas. Administration and personnel areas must be at least 800 yards from the ammunition storage and handling areas. Ammunition Storage Facilities Ammunition is stored at advanced bases in approved magazines, existing buildings, and in dry caves and tunnels. Ammunition may also be stored in the open, in quarries, pits, and similar areas. Don't put ammunition in caves, tunnels, quarries, or pits if there isn't adequate drainage. When possible, assign available magazines and buildings for storing the more fragile and perishable ammunition, such as pyrotechnics, ammunition containing smokeless powder, fuzes, and similar components. Store the more durable ammunition, such as aircraft bombs and depth charges, in the open, provided it affords maximum protection against corrosion and deterioration.DISPURSION OF AMMUNITION Ammunition disbursement is a main consideration in laying out an ammunition storage area at an advanced base. Each type of ammunition is stored in two widely separated areas. This prevents losing an entire supply of an ammunition item if there is a fire or explosion. Explosive stores are separated from other stores, as specified in the ESQD tables. Group piles of ammunition stored in the open by categories. These groups are discussed in the following paragraphs. These groupings aren't compatibility groups; they are only used to ensure safe distances are maintained between piles and stacks of ammunition. CATEGORY A. This category of material presents a fire hazard. It includes propelling charges, bag charges, rocket motors, pyrotechnics, and small arms ammunition. Category A material should be separated from materials in the other categories (B through E) by at least 350 feet. CATEGORY B. This category of material present’s fire and fragment or fragment and explosion hazards. It includes fixed ammunition, separateloading projectiles, complete rockets (assembled or unassembled), grenades, and mortars. Category B material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 300 feet. CATEGORY C. This category of material presents an explosion hazard. This category includes bombs, warheads, depth charges, mines, demolition material, and bulk explosives. Category C material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 695 feet. CATEGORY D. This category of material includes fuzes and detonators. Category D material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 200 feet. CATEGORY E. This category of material includes chemical ammunition. Category E material should be separated from materials in the other categories by at least 400 feet. |
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