Quality Surveillance.

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

sides). The drums are transported to and from shipping

5-53. Inspection.

or hauling vehicles by the forklift truck in combination

All filled drums will be carefully inspected for condition

with the attachments when the distances are

and proper marking before being put in the storage area.

approximately 400 feet, or are placed on large

After storage has been completed, periodic inspection

warehouse trailers for transporting between carriers and

should be adequate under normal conditions. If a drum

storage location when distances are greater than 400

leaks at the closure, it should be tightened and the

feet.

gasket replaced if necessary. Drums which show signs

of leakage or excessive corrosion or appear otherwise

c. Drum pallets.

Drum pallets constructed to

unfit for storage will be removed immediately from the

MILP-21875 requirements may be efficiently used for

area and the contents transferred to satisfactory

some storage applications.

containers. If the integrity of the product is suspect,

usability must be determined prior to issue.

5-52. Quality Surveillance.

a. Quality surveillance as used herein is the

5-54. Safety Measures.

aggregate of measures to be applied to maintain the

a. General. Instructions relative to safety

usability quality of petroleum products in order that

measures and fire protection are covered in chapter 6.

these products may be in a condition suitable for

immediate use. The petroleum industry and the military

b. Cause of petroleum fires. Fires in packaged

procurement activities make every effort to provide

petroleum storage areas may be caused by the

clean and on-specification products. A vigilant quality

following:

surveillance program is necessary to ensure the supply

(1) Sparks and open flames can produce

of clean and on-specification products to the using fields

explosions and subsequent fires in flammable vapors.

units. Good house-keeping practices will ensure order

(2) Static electricity can be generated by the

and cleanliness as well as promote safety.

passage of fluid through a hose, by agitation of a fluid in

b. Many things can happen to petroleum products

a container, by the movement of a truck over the

to affect their quality and performance value after

highway, and by other means. In the presence of

delivery and during their handling, storage, and

readily flammable vapors, such an electrical charge

dispensing in the depot.

For example, careless

constitutes a definite hazard.

handling, contamination, exposure to abnormal

(3) Lightning discharge can cause petroleum

temperatures, confusion of markings, or inefficient

fires.

control of stock can cause leakage and spoilage,

(4) Leaks not only waste product, but also

resulting in damage to, and excessive maintenance of

constitute fire hazards.

equipment.

(5) Smoking is a common hazard and will not

c. Water is a common source of contamination

be tolerated in petroleum storage areas.

which can render petroleum products useless for

c. Fire plan.

service. Many petroleum products contain various types

(1) Petroleum. Every petroleum storage area

of additives and the seepage of water into the

will have a definite fire plan, with regulations on fire

containers may remove these additives or cause

prevention and instructions on fire fighting.

emulsions. The use of such products may result in

damage to equipment. Water contamination may result

(2) Fire dangers.

All personnel handling

from rough handling or from improper application of

petroleum will be made conscious of the constant

plugs and gaskets, which permits breathing and

danger from fires and of the precautions required.

subsequent condensation of water vapor. Storage of

(3) Equipment. Proper equipment for fighting

drums on their sides with proper blocking and shoring

fires must be provided in accordance with section II,

will avoid the trapping of water on the heads within the

chapter 7, MIL-HDBK-201.

chimes.

(4) Clearance. The distance from filled drum

d. Opened packaged products should be sealed

storage to structures, drum filling plants, operational

and marked as having been previously opened and for

buildings, and sources of ignition must not be less than

immediate consumption.

500 feet for low-flash products and 200 feet for high-

e. Inefficient supply control of products in a depot

flash products. Storage areas for drummed petroleum

can result in spoilage and loss. The practice of "FIFO"

products must be far enough away from overhead

will reduce spoilage caused by long storage. Check

electric lines so that no part of a broken wire can fall

date of filling and store products so that the oldest is

upon the drums.

issued first.

5-95