PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-713
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 713
APRIL 2012
4
PS 713
APR 12
Be
Careful
With
Fire
Bottles
T
he introduction of a new style feed tray cover for the M240 machine gun doesn’t
work well with the current mechanical stop.
The
mechanical
stop,
NSN
5340-01-482-8376, is designed to
automatically close the old feed tray
cover. But the stop can bind or break
the integrated rail of the new feed
tray cover, NSN 1005-01-432-9538.
A
new
mechanical
stop,
PN
12988436-1, is being designed to
work with both the old and new
feed tray cover. PS will let you
know when it’s available in the
supply system.
Until then, be aware of the potential snagging problem and always follow
the instructions for loading and unloading the M240 machine gun. You’ll Fnd
the procedures starting on Page 2-349 of TM 9-2350-264-10 (Mar 03, w/Ch 6, Jun
09) and WP 0209 of TM 9-2350-388-10 (±eb 09). Keep the cover closed as much
as possible.
Questions? Contact TACOM’s Ben Krueger, DSN 786-8479, (586) 282-8479, or
by email:
benjamin.c.krueger.civ@mail.mil
Dear Editor,
The importance of fire extinguisher safety can never be overstated.
Recently, a mechanic was replacing a faulty hull power distribution unit
(HPDU) on an M1A2 tank. In order to access the HPDU, he had to remove
the crew fire bottle from the driver’s compartment.
After installing the new HPDU, he
was replacing the fire bottle when it
discharged, spraying him with Halon
and making him bump his head. The
Soldier ended up with a ruptured
eardrum and second degree burns.
It turns out that the mechanic
overlooked
the
crucial
step
of
installing the anti-recoil plug and lock
pin before removing the fire bottle.
Without these two items installed,
there’s
nothing
to
prevent
an
accidental discharge like the one this
Soldier experienced. Can you remind
Soldiers of how important these
safety items are?
Terry D. Smart
PM HBCT Safety Manager, TACOM
Editor’s note:
Consider it done, Terry! This particular Soldier got lucky because
the fre bottle was actually secured beFore it discharged. An unsecured bottle can be
a dangerous rocket, bouncing around inside oF your vehicle.
Always
make installing
the anti-recoil plug and lock pin the frst step any time you remove a fre bottle. A new
video on automatic fre extinguisher systems (A±ES) is now available on the Unit
Training Assistance Program (UTAP) website:
. On your frst
visit, you’ll be prompted to register your CAC. Once that’s completed, click the I Agree
button and select the VIDEOS tab. Under UTAP Produced Videos, select Introduction
to ±ire Suppression Systems. You’ll be prompted to save or open the video.
Be
Careful
With
Fire
Bottles
Be
Careful
With
Fire
Bottles
M1-Series
Tanks…
New Feed Tray Cover Causes Glitch
Safety…
Be
Careful
With
Fire
Bottles
Current mechanical stop can
snag on new feed tray cover
Anti-recoil plug…
…and
lock pin
must be
installed
was that my
m240’s feed
tray cover?
ouch!
‘fraid
so!
the mechanical
stop snagged
the cover and
it didn’t close!
hey, what
happened
to jonesy?
I heard
it was
accidental
fire
bottle
discharge!
Be
Careful
With
Fire
Bottles
713 04-05.indd
1-2
2/24/12
2:09 PM
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