aprons, and goggles to protect themselves and their clothing from acid burns. Alcohol Since most commonly used alcohols have a flash point below 200 degrees F, they will be stowed in the flammable liquids storeroom. Not all alcohol is readily identifiable  by  name. For  example,  many  lacquer thinners  have  methanol  (wood  alcohol),  which  is extremely poisonous, as the principal ingredient. Oxidizing Material Many  shipboard  fires  with  resultant  fatalities  have been attributed to improper stowage or handling of oxidizing  materials  particularly  calcium  hypochlorite. Nitric acid, a strong oxidizer, will be stowed in the acid locker. Oxygen and chlorine gases must be stowed in accordance  with  the  paragraph  on  compressed  gases. All other oxidizers will be stowed in a dry compartment, away from combustible materials. Calcium  hypochlorite  itself  is  noncombustible. However,  it  is  a  strong  oxidizing  agent  which  will generate heat, liberate chlorine, and cause fire when it comes  in  contact  with  paints,  oils,  greses,  detergents, acids, alkalies, antifreeze, fabrics, and other organic and combustible materials. Calcium hypochlorite will be stowed  in  binhs  or  lockers  labeled  “HAZARDOUS MATERIAL  CALCIUM  HYPOCHLORITE”  in  red letters on a white background The bins or lockers will not be located in an area which is  used  for  stowage  of  combustible  organic materials,     exceeds 100 degrees F under normal operating conditions,     is adjacent 10 a magazine, is   subject   to   condensation   or   water accumulation. Each bin or locker must beat least 5 feet away from any heat  source  or  surface  which  may  exceed  140  degrees F. It will contain no more than 48 6-ounce bottles (for potable water purification) or 36 3-3/4 pound bottles (for  sewage  waste  treatment).  The  total  quantity  stowed should  not  exceed  the  ship’s  average  endurance  level, on CLF ships, calcium hypochbrite may bestowed in general  cargo  spaces  without  quantity  restriction, provided  that  the  foregoing  safety  precautions  are observed) Compressed  Gases Compressed gases must be stowed on the weather deck.  Unless  the  ship  has  below  deck  stowage  spaces specifically designed fix such material. Compressed gas cylinders will be stowed vertically and securely (with  valve  protection  caps  in  place).  They  will  be stowed   away   from   other   flammable   materials (especially  grease  and  oil).  When  compressed  gases  are stowed  on  the  weather  deck,  the  cylinders  will  be located as far as possible from navigation, fire control, or gun stations. They will protected from the direct rays of  the  sun,  or  accumulation  of  snow  and  ice.  When compressed  gases  are  stowed  below  deck,  any  leaking fumes must be prevented from entering ventilation air-intakes  leading  to  working  or  living  spaces.  Since there usually is some gas remaining in most cylinders considered  to  be  empty,  “empty”  cylinders  will  be stowed and handled with the same precautions as full cylinders.  Compressed  gases,  particularly  the flammable and explosive gases, must be handled with extreme   care. Some   general   rules   for   handling compressed  gas  cylinders  are: Take  every  precaution  to  prevent  cylinders  from being dropped or forcefullly struck against hard surfaces  (including  other  cylinders).  Do  not tamper  with  the  safety  devices  in  cylinder discharge  valves.  When  cylinders  are  not  in  use, be sure that the valve protection caps always are securely  attached  (If  the  valve  of  a  compressed gas cylinder should be snapped off, the released energy would cause the cylinder to behave as a missile.   For   example,   a   cylinder   that   is pressurized to 2,200 pounds psi (per square inch) can  travel  2,600  feet  in  free  flight,  and  in  a confined  space,  it  could  be  disastrous.) Prevent  cylinders  from  contact  with  fire,  sparks, or  electrical  circuits.  (An  exploding  steel cylinder would have the same destructive effect as  an  exploding  bomb.) Do not drag or slide cylinders when moving. Secure and move them in handtrucks that meet the  criteria  prescribed  in  the  Naval   Ships’ Technical Manual.  If suitable handtrucks are not available, tilt the cylinders and roll them on the bottom  edge. Secure cylinders in a cradle, pallet, or rack when they are loaded or offloaded with a crane or derrick. Never   hoist   cylinders   with electromagnets, or with hooks or line attached to the valve protection cap. 6-11