Policy.

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

should be contained within such a storage aid. The

(b) Repair of reusable pneumatic

units, with male valves securely fixed in closed position,

dunnage units can be accomplished as follows:

are to be laid flat. Folding of the units for storage will

1 Install new valve parts if

tend to cause deterioration of the unit at the fold area

inspection indicates a leaking valve.

should they remain in such position for extended

2 Patch punctures or tears. The

periods, especially with weight imposed on them.

damage area must not exceed 6 inches in length nor be

Disposal pneumatic dunnage units do not require any

within 3 inches of valve or bag seam. Repairs will be

more protection in storage than given to other paper

accomplished with repair kit (available from dunnage

products. They can be stored in the receiving container.

unit manufacturers). The instructions included with the

Disposal units have a recommended shelflife of 12

kits should be carefully followed. Reusable dunnage

months.

units with major damage such as valve deformation,

(2) A reusable pneumatic dunnage unit must

seam damage, or any damage within 3 inches of the

be inspected and repaired, as necessary, when

seam or valve should be returned to the manufacturer

puncture, abrasion, valve failure, or other defects are

for repair if the projected remaining life of the unit

evident.

justifies such action.

(a) Inspectors should consider valve

components and surface of casing; mark areas requiring

NOTE

patching. If punctures cannot be detected by visual

For bladder-type units remaining in

inspection, inflate unit to 6 pounds pressure, and brush

system, the repair considerations

soap suds over the valve area and other areas of the

above will also apply to the bladder.

bag to test for suspected leaks. Bubbles indicate leaks

and these leaks should be clearly marked for repair. A

3 Since disposable pneumatic

sure way to determine the pressure retention capabilities

dunnage is for one-time use, there is no inspection for

of the units is to inflate them to 4 to 6 pounds PSI, then

repair nor any processing for return to shipper.

set aside for 24 to 48 hours. A final check would then

be made before use to assure that they are holding

adequate pressure.

Section X. Unit Loads

3-86. Principles of Unit Loads.

3-85. Policy.

a. The combining of numerous items into a unit

Maximum use will be made of unitized loads where such

load of appropriate size which can be handled with

use will result in an overall economy to DOD. To

available equipment and within existing facilities is most

conserve time, manpower, equipment, and reduce the

economical. The larger the number of items handled as

possibility of pilferage, unit loads will be used in

a unit, the smaller the handling cost per item. The

receiving, storage, and shipping operations wherever

savings by this method can offset the initial cost,

practicable. Items which can be palletized will be

operation, and maintenance of the mechanical

formed into unit loads as soon as received and handled

equipment required to lift and transport the heavier

as units throughout the entire storage and materials

loads.

handling

operation.

Individual

procedure

publications/drawings will be issued by the military

b. To minimize double handling of material,

services to cover palletization of explosives and

nonpalletized items which are received in quantities

ammunition commodities. It is mandatory that these

suited to palletization will be palletized at the earliest

publications/ drawings be used when palletizing

practicable point during the receipt process (fig 3-54).

explosives and ammunition.

3-85