Special Considerations in Care of Stored Material

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

(For detailed information on lumber storage, see chap 5,

and 1225 are used for an inspection lot, a copy of DD

sec I.)

Form 1222 will be attached to each copy of DD Form

1225.

(a) It is impossible to specify the

dunnage bearing surface required for all storage

3-44. Special Considerations in Care of Stored

conditions. On good concrete surfaces, 4by 4-inch

Material.

dunnage spaced on 2-foot centers would be sufficient to

support a stack of comparatively heavy equipment.

a. Material in open storage. Ideally, all material

However, if this same stack of equipment were to be

should be stored in covered storage space. However,

stored on an ungraded or comparatively soft storage

since covered space is usually at a premium, there are

area, the bearing surface of the dunnage on the ground

occasions when material must be placed in open

would have to be increased in proportion to the

storage areas. These items must be preserved properly

decrease in the supporting quality of the storage area.

to withstand the exposure to elements. Additional

Therefore, the storekeeper must consider both the

protection can be gained by use of plastics, tarpaulins,

weight of the proposed stack and the supporting quality

or portable shelters over material.

of the surface of the storage area in determining the

(1) Care must be exercised in the covering of

type and quantity of dunnage required for each stack.

materials placed in open storage. The relatively quick

(b) Under

certain

conditions,

temperature changes, to which such materials are

concrete blocks may be substituted for, or used in

subjected, cause moisture to condense on the material,

conjunction with, wood dunnage.

Warranting

and, unless this moisture is evaporated and carried

circumstances could include-moist or humid areas

away by adequate ventilation, it will cause the stores to

where damp rot or termite infestation may occur; dry or

mold or decay. In the case of most metal products,

torrid areas where dry rot or wood beetle infestation may

moisture condensation will cause excessive rust,

occur; planned long-term storage programs; or the lack

resulting in a high rate of deterioration for the stored

of salvage dunnage, necessitating the use of new

item.

materials, in which case the cost factor would be

(2) When covering materials with tarpaulins

considered.

or other such materials, a clearance of 12 to 18 inches

(4) Materials stored in the open require closer

should be maintained between the bottom of the

attention than those stored in warehouses or sheds.

covering and the ground, where possible.

In the

Such material must be inspected for indications of

covering of machinery or other materials which are not

preservation failure such as paint blisters due to rust

boxed, the tarpaulin should extend to, but never below,

beneath the paint, flaking or peeling of paint, or

the top of the dunnage on which the material is being

deterioration of other applied preservative. Usually, this

stored. To further induce air circulation in and around

is indicated by small areas of rush or corrosion on the

the stored material, an opening should be provided in

preserved item. Additionally, after hard rains, heavy

the upper area of the stack covering; however, it should

snows, windstorms, and abrupt changes in the weather,

be arranged so that rain or snow cannot enter the stack.

stocks must be inspected for torn or displaced

(3) All material stored outdoors should be

coverings, accumulations of water or snow, or other

elevated above the ground by use of dunnage or

conditions that may adversely affect the material, and

specially built platforms or foundations (see chap 5, sec

for damage to corrosion preventives which have been

III, para 5-16b(6) for wheeled and tracked vehicles

applied. More frequent inspection is required when the

exception). The type of storage area will determine to a

atmosphere contains industrial waste, dust, salt, or

great extent the type of dunnage required to provide

acids; when the relative humidity (RH) is high; or when

adequate ventilation beneath the stack. On well-drained

the material is subjected to wide variance in

paved or blacktop areas, the dunnage used should

temperature.

provide a minimum clearance of 3 1/2 inches between

b. Shelf-life items.

Items which possess

the stores and the ground. On well-drained gravel or

deteriorative or unstable characteristics to the degree

similarly surfaced areas, the dunnage should be

that a storage time period must be assigned to assure

increased to provide a minimum clearance of 8 inches.

that they will perform satisfactorily when issued. There

Where it is necessary to utilize ungraded or poorly

are two types of these shelf-life items. Type I shelf-life

drained areas for storage, the dunnage used should

items have a definite (non-extendible) storage time

provide a minimum clearance of 10 inches above the

period terminated by an expiration date which was

highest possible water level. Such clearances do not

established by empirical and technical test data. Type II

pertain to the storage of lumber in open areas.

shelf-life items have an

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