Q2.  When storing solvents, what actions should you take? a. b. WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES You  should  observe  the  following  general precautions when handling any type of weapon: Consider  every  weapon  loaded  until  you examine it and find it otherwise. Never point a weapon at anyone you do not intend  to  shoot  or  in  a  direction  where  an accidental discharge may do harm. Place a cartridge in the chamber only when you intend to fire the weapon. Whenever you handle a weapon, think about what  you  are  doing.  Accidents  seldom  “just happen.” They frequently are caused by persons ignorant of safety precautions. All too often they are caused by carelessness. Make sure the ammunition is suited to the type of weapon you intend to fire. Ammunition  is  stowed  aboard  ship  in  specially constructed compartments called magazines, which are located as far as possible from firerooms and engine rooms. Each magazine is equipped with a sprinkler system, and many are equipped with a quick-flooding system for use in an emergency to prevent explosion of the magazine. Lighting is accomplished with vaportight fi x t u r e s .    N a k e d    l i g h t s ,    m a t c h e s ,    o r    o t h e r flame-producing apparatus must never be taken into a magazine.  Heel  plates  or  other  spark-producing materials are also forbidden. Magazines must be kept scrupulously  clean  and  dry  at  all  times.  Particular attention must be paid to ensure that no oily rags, waste, or  other  materials  that  may  cause  spontaneous combustion are stored in magazines. Extreme  care  must  be  exercised  when  handling ammunition. Remember, the purpose of ammunition is to cause destruction. Be sure the destruction is to the enemy and not to your own ship. Figure 19-3 shows the tragic results of careless handling of ammunition. A ship  was  lost  and  over  150  persons  were  killed  or injured. An  important  part  of  ammunition  handling  is identifying  the  type  of  ammunition.  Projectiles  of 3-inch and greater diameter are color-coded to indicate the projectile type and the kind of bursting charge they contain. Armor-piercing, antiaircraft, illuminating, and chemical  projectiles  are  identified  by  their  own distinctive color markings. Whenever you are handling ammunition, keep projectiles of the same type (same color) together. A few additional rules are given here for handling ammunition. These rules are general in nature and are not all-encompassing, but they apply to all types of ammunitions. Loading  or  unloading  ammunition  is  not  a contest. Racing against other handling parties only increases the possibility of a mishap. Be careful not to dent cartridge cases. Dented casings may jam in the bore. Some thin-cased explosives are known to have detonated when their casings were dented. Avoid obliterating (blotting out, blurring, etc.) identification marks. Grommets are used to protect the rotating bands of projectiles; don’t lose the grommets. Don’t smoke in magazines or in the vicinity of explosives-handling  and  explosives-loading operations. Unless  you  are  involved,  keep  clear  of ammunition-handling operations. Never tamper with explosive devices. Don’t store drill charges in magazines with live ammunition. All  pyrotechnic  materials  are  kept  in  special stowage spaces, usually located on topside decks. Any pyrotechnic material that shows signs of damage to its safety device is considered unserviceable and must be segregated for prompt disposal. Extreme caution must 19-12 Student Notes: