MM4624
toward the storage site. Where possible, natural barricades should be used between the sites and
operating buildings and magazines. However, the site must not ever be closer than 2,400 feet, unless
pits or similar barricades are used to limit the range of fragments and debris.
When destroying explosives by burning, the possibility of mass detonation must be considered.
Personnel and property should be protected by distance separations or appropriate protective barriers.
Further guidance is in TM 9-1300-206.
There are several geographic characteristics desired in a destruction site. The terrain should be as
clear of scrub and trees as possible. A slightly rolling site is good because the unevenness creates
natural barriers. Finally, the site should be as well-drained and dry as possible.
Checking Site Maintenance
After the site is determined, the planner must make sure it passes the following inspection criteria:
All dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials within a radius of 200 feet from the point of
destruction should have been removed.
Firefighting equipment should be readily available and operational.
There should be the means to wet down the destruction site at the close of each day's operation.
Burning should not be scheduled on previously burned-over plots within 24 hours unless the plots
are soaked down with water and reinspected.
There are no concrete mats that could be used for burning or detonation.
DETERMINING TRANSPORTATION
Once the site is known, transportation to evacuate the items to the disposal site can be planned for
and requested. The type and number of vehicles depend on several things: the type and quantity of
ammunition to be destroyed, the explosive limits of the destruction site, and the amount of temporary
storage available. It is up to the experienced ammunition senior NCO to determine vehicle
requirements. Usually vehicles already assigned to the magazine platoon will be used. If, however,
there is too much ammunition to be transported this way, other vehicles are requested from the
transportation movement office following local SOP.
DETERMINING TEMPORARY STORAGE NEEDS
Temporary storage at the destruction site is necessary for the defective ammunition and must be
included in the plan. Sample acceptable temporary storage is shown in Figure 2. The ammunition
must be stored at interline distances. If the net explosive weight (NEW) allowable for destruction at the
site is exceeded (as determined by the SOP for the local range), the items will have to be further moved
or separated. The interline distance is computed by using the DOD Consolidated Ammunition Catalog
and the tables in Chapter 5 of TM 9-1300-206 and is based on the NEW of the quantity and type of
ammunition to be stored and the hazard class.
For example, there are 100 rounds of 1315-00-028-4860 C445, cartridge, 105mm HE without fuze,
to be destroyed. The NEW stated in the range SOP allows destruction of 10 rounds at a
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