CHAPTER 10
AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES
SECTION I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
10.1 Purpose and Scope. The purpose of this section is to establish standard policies and
principles governing the receipt, storage and issue, and care and preservation of ammunition and
explosives at DoD establishments.
SECTION II. GENERAL
10.2 General. These policies and principles are general in nature. Contingencies not covered
will require the exercise of discretion and judgment in complying with the requirements of this
section. Detailed operational procedures are not included but will be found in the publications of
the military services. The Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board also publishes
information concerning ammunition and explosives. Military ammunition and explosives are
products of war and as such are manufactured primarily to kill and destroy. Such products have
inherent hazards that affect all handling operations from time of manufacture until expended or
disposition actions are completed. With a knowledge of the hazards involved, the first and
foremost principle that should be considered in any discussion of ammunition storage is that
ammunition and explosives must be handled, stored, and shipped in a manner that will afford
optimum protection against deterioration, accidental ignition, and detonation. The basic
principle to apply is to limit the exposure to a minimum number of persons, for a minimum
amount of time, to the minimum amount of ammunition and explosives consistent with safe and
efficient operations.
10.3 Establishment of Safety Organizations. Safety organizations should be established for
the purpose of supervising a single coordinated safety program including safety committee
activities, accident prevention inspection, correction of day-to-day unsafe conditions and
practices, employee training programs, publicity, accident cause investigation, and first aid
training. Diligent and vigorous efforts should be made to prevent and eliminate hazards and
unsafe practices. The planning of the handling of ammunition for any reason must be performed
carefully and by competent, experienced personnel to ensure that all hazards have been
recognized and that adequate safeguards are provided.
SECTION III. TYPES OF FACILITIES
10.4 Magazine. Any building or structure, except an operating building, used for the storage of
explosives, ammunition, or loaded ammunition components (see TM 38-400/DLAM 4145.12/
NAVSUP PUB 572/AFJMAN 23-210/MCO P4450.14, Joint Service Manual (JSM) for Storage
and Materials Handling).
10.5 Igloo Magazine or Arch-type Magazine. An arch-type earthcovered magazine which
may be constructed of concrete or metal.
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