(3) Secure a 4 foot length of safety fuze to the incendiary device, opposite the primed end, so
that it will extend at least 1 foot above the surface after the pit is filled with earth. This
"telltale" device will eventually indicate that burning has occurred.
(4) Place a board or metal plate of sufficient length and width to cover the munition, 6 inches
above the grenade/munition package.
(5) Refill pit, tamp earth and ignite the incendiary device.
(6) The operation will be successful if the "telltale" safety fuze that was secured to the
incendiary device burns and no smoke is observed leaving the pit.
(7) The operation will be unsuccessful if the safety fuse on the surface of the ground does not
burn. Wait at least 30 minutes before investigating the malfunction then open the pit and
check all connections.
(8) If smoke is observed escaping from the pit and the "telltale" safety fuse on the surface of
the ground functions properly, decontaminate the immediate area around the pit with 10
percent solution of caustic soda or calcium hypo chlorite (a 30-meter radius will be
sufficient).
3. DISPOSAL BY VENTING
a. Venting, or release to the atmosphere, is a method used to dispose of agents or hazardous
chemicals (TM 3-250) with a high volatility (normal physical state in a gas) such as CG, CK and
AC. Nerve agents will not be vented.
(1) Venting normally will be limited to small quantities of agents or large quantities under
controlled release conditions. When the venting site is distant from inhabited areas, greater
quantities may be released, provided that safe downwind area requirements are met as
determined by the M2 calculator.
(2) Venting may be accomplished by puncturing the munition with an explosive shaped charge,
by opening filler plugs or venting valves, or by drilling a hole in the munition. Prior to drilling
a hole in a munition, it is recommended that the munition be cooled to as low a temperature
as possible. Dry ice and alcohol slurry is very effective as refrigerant. Water, ice and salt
mixtures are also effective. Cooling will significantly reduce the vapor pressure, and the
drill operator will not be subject to high concentrations of toxic vapor when the munition
casing is penetrated. The munition should be packed in the coolant material for about an
hour prior to drilling.
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