PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-581
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 581
APRIL 2001
APR 01
49
PS 581
APR 01
48
M13 Decon.
..
eep your M13 decon pumped up for
chemical emergencies, NBC NCOs.
Here’s how:
Don’t use the good stuff for train-
ing.
Once the brush’s bristles are worn
to 1 inch or less or are no longer straight
and hard, the brush won’t do the scrub-
bing job deconning needs. But don’t
pitch it. It makes a great brush for training.
Remember, when the trainer is filled,
it weighs 54 pounds. One hard fall can
split it. Operators should use two hands
to carry the trainer and should get help
lifting it on and off trucks.
Fight corrosion.
Corrosion often
forms in the quick-disconnects and if
left untreated can lead to leaks. Wipe
corrosion out with steel wool or a bat-
tery terminal brush. Check the quick-dis-
connects at least quarterly for corrosion.
Turn in M43 (Type
I
) Masks
W
hen your Apache unit gets the new M45 protective
aircraft masks, turn in your old M43 (Type I) masks
ASAP. The Army needs them for other aviation units.
Send all M43s to:
Pine Bluff Arsenal
Depot Operation Field Service Stock
Non-ammo (ATTN:
Terry Brodnax)
53 990 507th St
Pine Bluff, AR 71602-9500
Questions?
Call Frank Fuoto at (309) 782-4285, DSN 793-4285,
or e-mail
fuotof@ria.army.mil
.
Also for training, use the practice
decon apparatus (DAP), NSN 4230-01-
345-5172.
Once bristles are 1 inch or less,
use brush only for training
Check disconnects for corrosion
and hose for cracks
Pack
like this
Shut-off valve needs
to be straight up for
storage
Catch hose cracks.
The hose can crack in cold weather. A cracked hose will leak
in the field, which is bad if you’re using DS2. DS2 ruins the protection of chemical
protective gear.
So, check the hoses quarterly for cracks and replace cracked hoses.
Pack ‘em right.
Make sure operators know that if they don’t pack the M13 like
it shows on the storage compartment lid they will damage the brush. They also need
to put the hose shut-off valve straight up for storage or it will be snapped off.
581. 48-49 (C)
3/11/01
6:01 PM
Page 1
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