1. Rockets and Rocket Motors.
(1) Whenever practicable, rockets and rocket motors that are in a propulsive state should be
stored nose down. Small rockets and missiles may be stored in standard earth-covered
magazines without regard to direction in which they are pointed, except that they will not be
pointed toward the door of the magazine. If not in a propulsive state, any rocket, rocket
motor, or missile may be stored in any magazine without regard to the direction in which
they are pointed.
(2) In aboveground magazines where nose-down storage is not practicable, items (in a
propulsive state) shall be pointed in the direction which offers the least exposure to
personnel and property in the event of fire or explosion.
(3) Rockets should be stored in a dry cool magazine, out of the direct rays of the sun. They
should not be stored in locations where temperatures exceed 120 degrees F. Prolonged
exposure of rocket ammunition to either high or low temperatures may increase the normal
rate of deterioration or render the motors more susceptible to ignition if handled improperly.
(4) Since rocket motors are normally ignited by electrical means, care must be exercised to
protect rockets from being ignited by stray electrical currents.
(5) Because rockets are self-propelled, the safety requirements for their storage are more
stringent than for any other type of ammunition. Rockets stored in other than earth-covered
magazines should be stored on the side of an ammunition storage area rather than between
other types of magazines, and as far as practicable from other types of ammunition. Each
stack of rockets containing the motor element will consist of single rows per tier; smaller
caliber rockets must have barricades facing the front of the rockets to insure that, if the
motors are ignited, the rockets will strike a strong artificial or natural barrier of not less than 3
feet of sand or earth. Large caliber free flight rockets must be stored on well drained land,
stacked on dunnage (at least 6 inches above ground level) and covered by tarpaulins with
sufficient room for adequate ventilation between the tarpaulins and the stack.
4. Inert Ammunition. Dummy or inert ammunition should not be stored in magazines with live or
practice ammunition if other storage space is available. If it is necessary to store inert ammunition
with live or practice ammunition, it will be segregated and identified clearly.
5. Chemical Munitions. Chemical agents include lethal, riot control, incapacitating agents, smoke
producing agents, incendiaries, and pyrotechnic compounds related to the dissemination of these
agents. Chemical munitions include a variety of items, the effects of which depend primarily upon
the chemical agent with which they are filled rather than explosion or fragmentation, even though
they may contain explosive elements or pyrotechnic materials to activate them.
a. Chemical Agents. For purposes of storing and handling, chemical agents have been divided
into groups, as defined below, based on the action of the agent, the degree and type of hazard,
and the type of protection required.
(1) Chemical Group A shall include highly toxic liquid agents, which in either liquid or vapor
form, may be absorbed through the respiratory tract, the skin, or the eyes (e.g., nerve agent,
mustard). Exposure to Chemical Group A agents may cause death or serious damage to
body functions, depending on the degree of exposure. Protection from these agents
requires that full coverage, impermeable protective clothing and protective mask be worn.
MM0151
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