Placement.

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

are each fitted with a special rubber tip that seats into

when dunnage is securing fragile or critical items), an

the valve. On occasions where inflation pressures must

inflation gauge with 1/4-pound graduations should be

be more finely controlled (such as use in truck trailers or

used.

Figure 3-44. Pneumatic dunnage inflation kit.

units on top of a load is not necessary since the weight

f. Placement.

of cargo and lateral pressure of dunnage units will

(1) Consideration of the characteristics of

restrict vertical movement. Pressure exerted by the

pneumatic dunnage is required prior to use. Pneumatic

dunnage units will also generally restrain lateral

dunnage units secure load contents by exerting pressure

movement of cargo. Additional units may be used for

against the cargo surfaces facing the void; therefore, it

positive insurance against any excessive lateral

is necessary that the profile and physical makeup of the

movement of fragile or critical material.

surfaces be capable of accepting the pressures

(2) Pneumatic units are designed to fill a

involved. Packaged or unpackaged items of a very

12inch void when inflated to 2 to 5 PSI air pressure.

irregular contour or with sharp or pointed edges may

(Pneumatic dunnage used in truck trailers/containers

pose a problem in use or may cause damage to the

should not exceed three-quarters PSI as sides or ends

pneumatic units.

Rough surfaces can also cause

of trailer may be deformed by greater pressures.) Where

abrasion and wear. Cargo must afford a rather solid,

cargo loading would result in a void significantly larger

even surface for pneumatic dunnage contact. The use

than 12 inches, the load should be planned, if

of buffer boards (plywood, fiberboard, or lumber) to

practicable, to provide separate smaller voids. In the

spread pressures over a greater area may be desirable

interest of load security (maximum cushioning) and

in some cases to ensure optimum results in use of

wear upon the units, the dispersion of dunnage units to

pneumatic dunnage. Since cargo is loaded from the

several points in the load is usually more desirable than

ends of a railcar to the center, void space results at the

placing two or more bags directly against each other to

door area in the center of the car. Unless an extremely

fill a large void. A point to emphasize is that the initial

fragile load is involved, there is no need to shore cargo

inflation of pneumatic dunnage within a void normally

with dunnage units at ends of a car as adequate

results in a 2- to 6-inch expansion of the void

dunnage units in the center of the load will compress

cargo against the ends of the car. Use of dunnage

3-78