Special Procedure for Cleaning and Repacking of 15-pound Shaped Charges

TM 9-1375-213-34&P

water in the bottom and a fitted plas-

4-11.

Special Procedure for Cleaning and

tic lid is acceptable).

Repacking of 15-pound Shaped

Charges

Empty any loose powder from the

(7)

wooden box into a holding vessel.

a. Introduction.

Older 15-pound shaped

charges can exhibit a "powdering-out" of the

(8) Wipe down interior of boxes, card-

explosive filler, especially if they have experi-

board spacers, and barrier bag with

enced extensive vibration due to transport by

a water-dampened rag to remove all

truck or train. As long as the glass liner is

loose particles of explosive. Rinse

intact the charges will still function normally

rag(s) frequently in a vessel of

but the powdered explosive must be cleaned up

water. Wash rubberized horsehair

and prevented from contaminating trucks and

packing in running water.

other materials handling equipment. The explo-

sive powder is flammable and must be handled

(9) Wipe down all surfaces of charges

carefully

and stand-offs with a water-

dampened rag to remove all loose

b. Safety Considerations.

Powdering-out

particles of explosive. Rinse rag(s)

charges in boxes without barrier bag lining

frequently in a vessel of water.

must not be transported any more than abso-

lutely necessary, and the truck bed must be wet-

(10) Allow all wiped-down items to thor-

mopped immediately after it is used for trans-

oughly air dry.

porting such charges. Charges in boxes with

barrier bag lining may be transported locally

(11) Repack charges in original manner

prior to cleaning. All personnel who have con-

in cardboard box and barrier bag if

tact with the loose powder from leaking charges

they were used. Fold bag tightly

must wear coveralls and must wash off their

against box to remove excess air

shoes and hands immediately after the opera-

before final sealing. The area of the

tion. Coveralls should be removed and washed

barrier bag to be heat-sealed must

after the operation. Personnel must not smoke

be conspicuously clean and free of

while wearing coveralls that may be contami-

explosive residue or film. Heat-

nated with the explosive powder. Rags used in

sealing equipment and operations

the operation must be destroyed afterwards.

must comply with TM 9-1300-206.

Standard safety procedures for operations with

If a heat sealer is not available, use

explosives apply (see TM 9-1300-206). Safety

2-inch wide PPP-T-60 tape to seal

shoes and leather-palmed gloves must be worn

barrier bag. Repack items in origi-

when handling boxes and steel strapping.

nal box in original manner.

(12) If charges w e r e n o t o r i g i n a l l y

c. Procedure.

packed in barrier bags it will be nec-

essary to barrier bag them in repack-

(1) T r a n s p o r t c h a r g e s t o o p e r a t i n g

ing. Obtain sufficient scrap card-

area.

Wet-mop truck bed after-

board to line the charge boxes on

ward, if necessary (see b. Safety

hand and MIL-B-131 barrier mate-

Considerations).

rial sufficient to cover the card-

board liners. Cut and assemble the

(2) Inspect each box for powder leak-

pieces of cardboard into box liners

age. Wipe the exterior of the box

using PPP-T-60 tape. Fold the bar-

with a water-dampened rag if there

rier material around the liner box

is any powder evident.

and form a bag leaving one edge

unsealed so the charges can be

(3) Cut any steel straps from the boxes

packed within the liner box. If a

using a strapping cutter.

heat sealer is not available, use PPP-

T-60 tape. Place the bagged liner

(4) Cut off seal and open box. If a bar-

box in the wooden box so there is

rier bag is present, unfold and slit

access to the interior. Position the

bag open along the top seam.

charges in the liner box in the same

manner that they were positioned

(5) Carefully lift out charges and stand-

in the original wooden box with the

offs, and place on a clean surface.

padding between charges. Fold bar-

rier bag flush against liner box

(6) If present, remove barrier bag and

before making final seal to remove

cardboard box, and empty any loose

excess air. Close latch and seal

powder into a holding vessel (a

wooden box in original manner.

large coffee can with an inch of

4-20