PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-564
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 564
NOVEMBER 1999
PS 564
47
NOV 99
Dear Editor,
If IM-93 radiacmeters are stored loose in a drawer or cabinet, dirt
and anything magnetic can discharge them. Since there’s no
recommended way to store them, I made my own storage box that
works well.
I used the box that the M256A1 chemical
agent detector kit comes in, but any box at
least three inches deep will work. Fill the box
halfway with styrofoam peanuts or wadded
newspaper. Reseal the box. Cut round holes in
the top of the box for the IM-93s to fit in.
Store your IM-93s with the charging end down
in the box. Don’t put the box near your M8A1
alarms. The M8A1’s radioactive source can
throw off the radiacmeters.
Another good tip is to clean both the IM-93 charging end and the
charger’s pedestal before charging. If either is dirty, you’ll get a poor
charge and you can damage both the
IM-93 and the charger.
Both can be cleaned with denatured
or isopropyl alcohol. Just put a few
drops on the charging end or pedestal.
Let it air dry. Don’t dry it with a cloth
or blow on it. Both the charger and
IM-93 should be kept lint and moisture
free. Lint or moisture can cause discharging.
Remember, IM-93s should be charged every 30 days.
Otherwise, you have to charge them every day
for five days before they can be used again.
SGT Louis Gonzales
2/43d ADA
Ft Bliss, TX
M40/M42-Series Masks . . .
f you have chemical/biological
equipment maintenance questions, the
Soldier and Biological Chemical Com-
mand (SBCCOM) has the answers.
Just call their Chemical/Biological
Maintenance Hotline. It’s a one-stop
shop for chemical/biological equipment
problem solving.
The number for CONUS calls is
(800) 831-4408. In Germany, dial
IM-93 Radiacmeter . . .
Dear Editor,
Every NBC NCO worth his salt knows the biggest
problem he faces is improper storage of the M40
and M42 masks. Soldiers forget that they’re not
supposed to fold the mask when they put it in the
carrier. Result: The drink tube is sheared and the
facepiece must be replaced.
We’ve saved many masks from this fate by
demonstrating to our unit the proper way to stow
the mask before they go to the field. Most units
must attend a safety briefing before an exercise.
We ask for a two-minute slot during the briefing
to do our stowing demonstration. That way the
procedure’s fresh in their minds when they go to
the field.
SPC Allen Simmons
PV2 Fernando Cahuantzi
HHD, 108th ADA
Ft Bliss, TX
Good idea. Remember, stow masks upright in their
carriers, facing away from your body.
0130810280 and in Korea, dial 0078-
14-800-0335.
After normal duty hours, you can
leave a message on voice mail.
The hotline also has a fax number,
but it’s not toll free. Dial DSN 584-
3912 or (410) 436-3912.
You can also e-mail:
Linda.Riley@sbccom.apgea.army.mil
OUTTA
SIGHT.
..
OUTTA MIND.
..AND
OUTTA
CHARGE!
HERE'S
A
TIP
FOR
MY
NEXT
TRIP
!
Ch
emi
c
al/B
i
o
l
og
i
c
al Main
t
e
n
a
nce H
o
tline
I
Store IM-93s upright in box
Clean
charging
end with
alcohol
Back to Top Back to Top
