should be stored on the perimeter of a storage area. This will minimize contamination of the
entire storage area, and expedite explosive ordnance disposal in the event of an incident.
Emphasis must be given to blast, unit ejection, and fragment potentials in layout plans, process
equipment and operations, storage, disposal and other associated accident prevention
considerations.
b. Black Powder. Black powder in bulk, saluting, practice-bomb, and smoke-puff charges should
be stored in dry magazines. Black powder will never be handled or stored in a barracks,
general supply room, inhabited building, or any building heated by stoves or open fires. Safety
conductive (non-sparking) shoes will be worn in a magazine containing black powder. No work
will be done other than that involved in the actual storage and the removal of spilled grains of
black powder. Conductive nonmetallic mats shall be used at location where operations such as
repacking black powder are performed. Black powder does not deteriorate in storage if kept
dry. Containers of saluting, practice, and smoke-puff charges are stored with tops up.
Containers of black powder shall be carefully examined at the time of receipt for weak spots and
holes, with special attention to examination for small holes, such as nail punctures, which are
not immediately evident. Damaged black powder containers must not be repaired; their
contents are transferred to serviceable drums. Condensation may rust the container or corrode
the cap. When containers are painted, caps are replaced, or contents are transferred, the
following conditions must prevail:
(1) The work will be done at least 90 feet from any magazine containing explosives or
(2) If any black powder is spilled, work will stop until the spillage is carefully taken up and the
spot washed with water. The powder taken up will be destroyed by dumping in water and
later burning at the explosive burning ground.
(3) If tools are required to open a container, only spark-resistant tools will be used.
(4) The quantity of powder in the vicinity of operations will be kept to a minimum consistent with
safe and efficient operations.
(5) Special care will be observed to preserve identity when repainting old containers or
transferring the contents to a new container. All the original markings must be transferred to
the repainted or new containers.
(6) Empty black powder containers may be reused, and may be transported empty provided
each container is clean. Empty black powder containers which are not to be reused shall be
thoroughly washed out with water and inspected prior to disposition.
(7) When sampling or transferring black powder, the containers will be electrically grounded.
c. High Explosive Demolition Blocks. These demolition blocks are stable in storage and require
only protection from moisture and direct rays of the sun. When handling loose explosives,
safety (non-sparking) shoes should be worn. Spark-resistant tools should be used in opening
boxes. Material in damaged containers is to be transferred to new boxes at a distance not less
than 90 feet from a magazine containing explosives or ammunition.
d. Dynamite.
(1) Commercial dynamite.
17
MM0151
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