Section VI. Packaged Petroleum Products

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

Section VI. Packaged Petroleum Products

5-44.

General.

presently accommodated in standard flammable storage

(a) The storage of packaged petroleum

warehouses with the proper installed fire protection

fuels and lubricants (not including special fuel

equipment.

combinations of guided missile propellants unless

specifically classified in this category) in standard

5-46. Location.

containers involves nearly all the fire hazards

A level site should be selected that is not in or adjacent

encountered in the final use. In recognition of these

to a congested area, with the contour of terrain being

inherent hazards, minimum safeguards must be

such that an immediate runoff of surface water is

established to avoid serious fires.

possible through a system of open ditches. Drainage

(b) The procedures and instructions for

into any sewer system is prohibited. An area with a

the storage of packaged petroleum products are

cinder base, marsh, or wasteland overlaid with peat and

contained in MILHDBK-201, Petroleum Operations.

usually more or less wet will not be used when other

terrain is available. Consideration will also be given to

(c) Special markings of packaged

direction of flow with the main outlets so located that

petroleum products are contained in MILSTD-290,

flow is away from a congested area and toward a

Packaging, Packing, and Marking of Petroleum and

harmless area where fire extinguishing agents can be

Related Products.

applied en route or at destination. An adequate supply

(d) Application of the appropriate

of water for fire fighting purposes should be taken into

storage principles set forth herein is a responsibility of

consideration in the selection of this site. The drum

the installation commander. It is recognized that under

storage area should be located or arranged so that

certain local conditions, strict adherence to the

escaping flammable vapors normally flow away from

prescribed storage practices will not be practicable. The

operational areas and sources of ignition. Depressed

following factors will be evaluated by the installation

areas should be avoided because hazardous vapors

commander in consultation with petroleum, safety, and

tend to remain in them. Gasoline vapors are heavier-

fire prevention specialists before deviation from the

than air and tend to lie in a stratum less than 4 feet

prescribed practices is authorized:

above grade and flow toward lower ground much as

(1) Type of product stored.

liquid flows to a lower level.

(2) Cost.

(3) Type and condition of drums.

5-47. Standards for Storage of 55-Gallon

(4) Availability of storage space and handling

Drummed Petroleum Products.

equipment.

(a) General. The fire hazard involved

(5) Terrain features.

in the storage of petroleum products is dependent, to a

great degree, upon the flashpoint (see para 5-49, and

(6) Climate.

chap 2 of MILMHBK-201) of the product and to the

(7) Proximity and type of structures, source of

gross amount stored.

ignition.

(b) Covered Storage. Covered storage

(8) Other pertinent information.

is the preferred type of permanent storage.

(c) Outdoor Storage. Filled and empty

5-45.

Use of Drums.

55-gallon drums may be stored outside. Drums may be

(a) As a general policy, storage of filled

stacked vertically (on pallets) or horizontally (on sides).

drums should be held to the absolute minimum needed

(1) Stacking.

to meet ordinary requirements. When bulk facilities are

available, it is safer and more economical to store

(a) When stored in the vertical position,

empty drums (see para 5-50), provide adequate drum-

service-or agency-approved drum top covers must be

filling equipment, and store only enough filled drums to

used to prevent the collection of water on drum tops and

meet immediate requirements while the filling plant is in

subsequent corrosion/contamination and oxidation.

process of reaching full capacity, than to store large

Tops of the drums must be dry before applying

quantities of filled drums.

Quality surveillance of

protective cover. For multiple tiers of drums stored in

product is more easily maintained in bulk quantities.

the vertical position on pallets, a single strap or band will

be placed around the drums on each pallet to ensure

(b) The practices covered below apply

stability.

A sampling inspection will be made

to large amounts of drummed products stored outside

periodically to ensure

buildings, not to the storage of station supplies

5-91