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Ventilation and Humidity Control
All storerooms must be well ventilated to
prevent excessive heat and humidity because high
temperature and humidity encourage bacteria
growth and insect infestation. In addition, high
humidity can result in mold and mildew and may
cause mustiness in cookies, crackers, and tobacco
products. Of course you have no control over
storeroom location, but you are responsible for
making sure space is left between cases and
structural obstructions such as steam pipes to
permit maximum ventilation. When possible, bulk
storerooms will be ventilated once a week to
permit air circulation and to remove stagnant air
that can cause damage to perishable items.
STOREROOM SECURITY
Security of the bulk storeroom has been
mentioned several times in this chapter but
security cannot be overemphasized. No matter
how well you fulfill other requirements for good
stowage, without proper security your efforts will
be useless. Security is not only important from
a standpoint of preventing unauthorized use,
pilferage, and theft of stock, it also prevents
damage to stock and storeroom facilities and
hazards to personnel and the ship due to improper
stowage.
SPECIAL STOWAGE
Most items of supply are of such a nature that
special stowage is not required. However, there
are some items that require special considerations.
For instance, some materials have characteristics
that require the materials to be specially stowed
or handled to prevent a hazard to personnel or
facilities. Other materials require a high degree
of protection because they have a limited stowage
life and care must be taken to make sure the oldest
stock or that which may have an earlier manu-
facture date is issued first. Also many foods or
confections must be stowed in areas where the
temperature can be controlled to prevent
deterioration. When planning the stowage of
ship’s store items, you must recognize these
factors and take appropriate action.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Certain materials with inherent hazardous
properties require special stowage facilities and
handling precautions. The Naval Ships’ Technical
Manual, chapter 670, and the Consolidated
Hazardous Item List (CHIL), NAVSUP P-4500
(now known as the Hazardous Materials
Information System (HMIS) List, DOD 6050.5)
outline the requirements for stowage of
dangerous, semisafe, and safe materials and list
these materials under each classification.
Dangerous Materials
Dangerous materials include all types of
compressed gases and materials that present a
considerable fire hazard or other dangerous
characteristics. These materials must be stowed
in a cage within the paint and flammable liquid
storerooms with access limited to the responsible
custodian. Paint and oil constitute the bulk of
material in this category that is stocked. The paint
and flammable liquid storerooms are normally
provided with sprinklers and CO2 smothering
systems that may be activated by automatic
temperature sensitive devices inside the
storerooms and by manual controls outside the
storerooms. A flooding system operated manually
outside the storerooms is an additional safety
factor. When practical, these storerooms are
located below the full load waterline, near either
end of the vessel, and not adjacent to a magazine.
They are equipped with watertight doors that must
be locked and dogged when not in use.
Semisafe Materials
Semisafe materials include linseed oil, paints,
and metal polish. These materials are considered
safe as long as the containers have not been
opened and do not leak. Any leakage must be
cleaned up promptly and also the leaking or
opened container issued for use or otherwise
disposed of. All semisafe materials must be
stowed in the paint and flammable liquids
storeroom.
Safe Materials
Safe materials include deck wax, furniture
polish, and laundry blue. Safe materials are not
subject to spontaneous combustion and present
no particular hazard due to reactions that might
arise from broken containers. No special stowage,
fire protection, or ventilation is needed for safe
materials.
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