Clothing and textiles.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

and must be performed in accordance with the

and plastic may result in recognizable musty or foul

referenced publications.

odors and may produce discoloration, spotting, or

b. Receipt inspection and storage surveillance.

staining which can normally be readily identified by

The following guidelines are provided as the minimum

visual examination.

requirements for clothing and textiles receipt inspection

(d) Deterioration due to chemical

and storage surveillance:

change. Finishes and particularly coatings on textiles

(1) Receipt inspection.

At least one

fabrics may become hard and stiff or soften and become

container/ package/roll per NSN, contract line item, and

sticky.

Improper storage conditions, particularly

shipment will be selected as the representative sample

exposure to extreme heat, light, moisture, etc., can

size. At least one bare item per container/package

cause chemical change. However, normal aging should

and/or at least the first 5 yards of product per

also be considered as a potential cause for chemical

package/roll selected should be inspected.

changes.

(2) Storage surveillance.

At least one

(e) Tarnishing.

A discoloration or

container/package/roll per location and NSN requiring

dulling found on highly lustrous metallic surfaces of

inspection will be selected as the representative sample

items such as buttons, insignia, or braid. Tarnishing can

size. At least one bare item per container/ package

usually be corrected by cleaning or polishing, therefore,

and/or at least the first 5 yards of product per

it is not considered as serious damage.

package/roll selected should be inspected.

(f) Corrosion. The condition of rusting,

(3) Kinds of deterioration/damage.

The

pitting, oxidation, or flaking on the surface of metal

following descriptions of typical deterioration and/or

components. It is considered serious if the conditions

damage which may be encountered during the

are severe enough to detract from the appearance and

inspection of clothing textiles and related materials are

expected function of the item.

provided as general guidance and information:

(g) Insect and rodent infestation. The

(a) Containers, packages, and/or rolls.

presence of insect infestation usually is revealed by

All shipment units shall be visually inspected for the

visual evidence of the insect, insect web, case skins,

proper markings and evidence of damage during the

and pellets of excrement. The presence of rodents may

receipt process. All shipment units should be palletized

be disclosed by evidence of gnawing at the corners and

at the time of receipt. Containers should be modular to

edges of cartons, packaging cases, and bales as well as

standard 40by 48-inch pallet without overhang and

area spoilage and pellets of excrement. Damage

should not contain mixed NSNs. The receipt process to

caused by insects or rodents is usually evidenced in

include discrepancy reporting is described in chapter III

textiles materials by the presence of holes or thin areas,

of this manual.

Sample inspection of the

as revealed by light transmission through the affected

containers/packages/rolls must be accomplished, as

places.

Common insects which contribute to the

described in the preceding paragraph (22b(2)). In

deterioration of clothing and textiles in storage are

addition to normal receipt inspections, containers,

carpet beetles, clothes moths, silverfish, crickets, and

packages, and/or rolls must be visually examined for

cockroaches.

Detailed

"pest

management

openings which may expose the contents to attack by

requirements/procedures" are contained in chapter 3,

contaminants or infestation by insects or rodents. The

section IV, of this manual.

presence of water stains or other discolored or sticky

areas caused by exposure to excessive light, heat,

(4) Shelf-life items. For all items with an

water, weather, or by contact with foreign matter

indicated shelf life, inspections should be performed at

signifies the possibility of contents' damage or

the frequency designated.

Visual examination is

deterioration. Storage surveillance procedures should

performed for the condition indicated on the specified

also include these visual examinations on a continual

sample quantity to determine that no product

basis to alert facility managers to any potential facility

deterioration developed. If testing is required, the

maintenance requirements and product damage or

proper sample should be submitted, as specified in the

deterioration.

referenced publications (see para 5-40a).

(b) Abnormal odors. Odors which are

c. Special procedures.

unrelated to the normal characteristics of the specific

(1) Life supportive items. Clothing and textile

materials should arouse suspicion that some form of

items such as parachute materials must be laboratory

deterioration is occurring (i.e., musty odors, sharp

tested to verify serviceability, as specified in the

pungent odors, and/or unusual odors).

referenced publications (see para 540a). This would

(c) Mildew

and

bacterial

attack.

include all types of materials used in the production of

Microbiological action on clothing, textiles, leather,

life supportive items.

rubber,

5-88