PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-733
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 733
DECEMBER 2013
40
PS 733
DEC 13
41
PS 733
Dear Half-Mast,
Our Reserve unit was
moved to a consolidated
Reserve center where our
weapons are now stored
in a large arms room. I
cleaned and lubed my M16
just like the TM says and
then stored it in the arms
room. When I checked it
again two months later,
I found
RUST
. When I
checked the humidity level
inside the arms room, it
read 51 percent. Is there
any official guidance on
how much humidity is
acceptable?
SGT K.S.
Dear Sergeant K.S.,
There is no Army reg on humidity in an arms
room, but humidity certainly should be way
below 51 percent–35 to 45 percent would be
more like it.
Your problem is likely that the dehumidifer
in your arms room is too small. Most home
dehumidifers hold only 15 pints, which is
too small For many arms rooms, especially
consolidated ones.
Get a 30- to 60-pint dehumidifer. Industrial
supply houses like McMaster-Carr or Grainger
and large home supply outlets have a wide
selection. You might also want to consider
buying one with an integral drain so that water
can be run directly to a building drain.
IF your commander doesn’t want to spend
the money on a big dehumidifer, point out how
much it costs to replace a single M2 machine
gun because oF corrosion–$12,685. You can buy
many dehumidifers For much less.
Remember that dehumidifers start to lose
their eFFectiveness above 95°±. So keep the room
temperature below that.
Dehumidifers should be positioned on the
²oor since moist air settles. Circulation helps
fght humidity, too, so running a Fan is a good
idea, especially iF it blows into corners.
Another good investment is a humidity meter.
You can get a good one For $25. The meter lets
you directly monitor the humidity. Shoot For 35
to 45 percent to prevent corrosion.
Small Arms…
dry up
humidity
threat
bwa-
ha
-h
a!
S
H
H
H
O
O
P
!
Of course, you
also
need
to follow the PMCS in the
technical manuals…
aww…
I’m
just not big
enough for
this job.
there’s no
way you can
ever suck
up all my
moisture!
hope
you’re
thirsty!
I’m
taking
over!
take a
rest, little
buddy.
a
rg!!!
…especially
the parts
on lubing and checking
stored weapons at
least every 90 days
for corrosion.
not so
fast, mr.
Humidity!
733 40-41.indd
1-2
10/29/13
10:31 AM
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