Locate light bulky materials in storerooms withhigh overhead clearances for maximum use ofavailable space.Segregate materials that are dissimilar in type orclassification.Locate frequently requested materials as close aspossible to the point of issue.Locate shelf-life items in a readily accessiblearea to facilitate periodic screening.Install appropriate stowage aids (flashlight,paper, and pencil) in spaces where they arereadily accessible.Make aisles at least 30 inches wide, if possible.Arrange material with identification labelsfacing outward to make issue and inventoryeasy.Avoid multiple locations for the same item.If you follow the preceding criteria and guidelines,you should have no problems in maintaining yourspaces and issuing and inventorying materials.SPECIAL STOWAGE OF ITEMSAt times, you will have items that require specialstowage. The Naval Ships’ Technical Manual (NSTM)and the Hazardous Materials Information System(HMIS), DoD 6050.5, outline the requirements forshipboard stowage of dangerous materials and lists thematerials under each classification. We will now coverthe classifications of material and discuss storagerequirements for special types of material.Hazardous MaterialHazardous material includes all types ofcompressed gases and materials that present a firehazard or are otherwise dangerous. Paint and oilconstitute the bulk of material in this category. Paintand flammable liquid storerooms are normallyprovided with alarm and CO2 smothering systems thatcan be activated by automatic temperature-sensitivedevices inside storerooms and by manual controlsoutside storerooms. A flooding system operatedmanually outside storerooms is an additional safetyfactor. These storerooms are located, when practical,below the full-load water line, near either end of thevessel, but not adjacent to a magazine. They areequipped with watertight doors that must be lockedand dogged when not in use.Compressed GasesStow compressed gases on the weather deck, andsecurely fasten them in a vertical position. Protect thecylinder valves from accumulations of ice and snow,and screen the cylinders from direct rays of the sun.NAVSUP P-485 contains more specific informationconcerning handling compressed gas cylinders.AcidLiquid acid, unless classified as safe material, isstowed in an acid locker. Acid lockers are leak-proofand lead-lined boxes, chests, or lockers specificallydesigned for stowing bottles or carboys of acid.Medical acids may be stored in a medical storeroom.AlcoholAlcohol should be stowed in a locked container inthe paint and flammable liquid storeroom, to whichonly the supply officer (or other officer designated inwriting by the commanding officer) has the key orcombination.SHELF-LIFE MATERIALShelf-life material is subject to deterioration.These items are assigned a shelf-life code listed in theNMDL. The code denotes the shelf-life span ofmaterial from the date of manufacture to the date ofdisposal, or date of testing according to the inventorymanager’s instructions to extend the shelf life. Type Icodes (alpha) apply to items for which shelf life cannotbe extended. Type II codes (numeric) apply to itemsfor which shelf life may be extended.OTHER REPAIR PARTSRepair parts should be stored in their originalcontainers. With today’s improving techniques and thematerial used in packaging, repair parts may be storedfor a considerable time without damage from dust,shock, or humidity.STOREROOMSWhen you are in charge of a storeroom, you arealso responsible for maintaining cleanliness of thespace. Before you secure each night, sweep thestoreroom and remove all trash. Periodically cleanbins, shelves, ventilation ducts, and fans.13-14
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