Section VII. Metal Products

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

(5) Arrestors. Flame and spark arrestors

(8) Drainage.

The drainage system for

removing surface water from the storage area must be

must be provided for all equipment within and adjacent

provided with a means of retaining and removing any

to drum storage areas containing filled drums.

petroleum product that may leak into the area.

(6) Electrical equipment.

All electrical

(9) Access roads. All-weather access roads

equipment and installations in drum storage areas

should be provided either outside or on the dike, to

containing petroleum products and within 10 feet of

include the drummed storage groups. Access roads will

grade must be in accordance with requirements outlined

be provided with ramps and graded to allow entrance of

in the current edition of the National Fire Protection

MHE into the diked areas.

Association Codes, volume 5, class 1, division 2,

National Electric Code.

(10) Portable explosion proof extension lights.

(7) Vegetation.

Vegetation must be

The portable explosion proof extension light,

constructed in accordance with military specification

eliminated in outside drum storage areas and must be

MIL-L-83762 (USAF), will be utilized in the inspection of

kept short on dikes (berms) by frequent cutting. All

interiors of empty or partially filled drums or any drums,

cuttings or dry vegetation must be removed

cans, fuel cells, and other containers having contained

immediately. A 50-foot wide strip around the outside of

or containing liquids or semiliquids which could result in

the storage area must be free of vegetation and

the presence of explosive vapors therein.

combustible material.

Section VII. Metal Products

5-55. General.

and handling of heavy or large quantities of metal

The importance of metal to DOD requires that storage

products.

In the absence of such warehouses,

and materials handling methods used will result in metal

conventional warehouses and standard forklift

products being maintained in a ready-for-issue condition

equipment should be used for the storage of metal

at all times. This section establishes standard methods

products. Appropriate metal storage racks should be

for the storage and handling of metal products such as

utilized to the maximum extent practicable in order to

pipes, bars, steel beams, strip and sheet metal, and

make full use of cubic storage space.

armor plates. In establishing these methods, it is

b. Shed space. Shed storage of metal products

realized that in some instances, circumstances will

will provide protection against rain, snow, and sun.

determine the method used. The methods and practices

However, this type of metal storage is generally limited

outlined herein provide effective means of storing large

to the storage of lightweight products such as pipe,

quantities of metal in a safe accessible manner, permit

tubing, and angles that can be normally handled by

maximum utilization of storage space with a minimum

hand. Use of pigeonhole-type racks and/or horizontal

expenditure of manpower, but do not preclude variances

dunnage in these sheds permits maximum utilization of

and/or substitutions peculiar to a specific problem area

cubic storage while maintaining accessibility.

or condition.

c. Open space. Open area surfaces utilized for

the storage of metal products will have sufficient bearing

5-56. Item identification.

strength to support the materials to be stored at the

Identification of metal products in accordance with

height desired. Advance planning is a prime requisite

current directives of the military services concerned

for effective utilization of open storage space for metal

must be maintained to facilitate receipts, issues, and

products.

inventory.

Proper identification is necessary to

minimize losses or the expense incurred when physical

5-58. Storage Aids.

and chemical analysis is necessary for reidentification

a. Dunnage. Dunnage is particularly important for

when identity of the metal has been lost. It is also

the storage of metal products Dunnage provides

essential for the effective utilization of metal products.

clearance for forks of the fork truck and allows crane

hooks or slings to be placed underneath a load.

5-57. Storage Space.

Additionally, dunnage is used to stabilize stacks and

a. Warehouse space .

Installations having

keep the metal off the floor or ground or separated from

warehouses equipped with overhead bridge cranes

other contaminating materials or objects. The storage

should utilize such facilities for the loading, unloading,

of heavy metal products on

5-96