MANUAL OF NATO SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR THE STORAGE OF MILITARY AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES (May 2010)

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

TABLE 5-III (PAGE 2)

PROPAGATION PREVENTION

FROM (PES)

Ready Service

Igloo ^c)

Magazine ^d)

Side

Rear

Front

Barr.

Unbarr.

TO (ES)

Barr.

Unbarr.

1st Generation

Side

AD1^e)

AD3^f)

AD3

Aircraft

Rear

AD1^e)

AD1³⁾

AD3^f)

AD3

Shelter

Front

AD3^f)

AD6^f)

AD8^f)

AD6

AD8

2nd or 3rd Gene-

Side

AD1^e)

AD3^f)

AD3

ration Aircraft

Rear

AD1^e)

AD3^f)

AD3

Shelter

Front

AD1^e)

AD3^f)

AD3

Ready Service

Side

Igloo

Rear

Front

Barr.

Use PART I Distances

Front

Unbarr

Ready Service

Barr.

Magazine

Unbarr

NOTES:

Ready Service Igloo - An earth-covered explosives storage location, often utilizing an arch-type interior shell, and often used to store

built-up ammunition for combat aircraft loading. Storage is limited to not more than 10 000 kg NEQ and a loading density of

not more than 20 kg m^-1/3, except as noted below.

Ready Service Magazine - any aboveground storage facility, other than an igloo, used to store built-up ammunition for combat aircraft

loading. Storage is limited to not more than 10 000 kg.

Use AD2-distances where the loading density exceeds 20 kg m-1/3.

The loading density limitation of 20 kg m^-1/3 not to be applied.

-IV-5-16-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

TABLE 5-III (PAGE 3)

PROPAGATION PREVENTION

FROM (PES)

Igloo

Magazine

Side

Rear

Front

Barr.

Unbarr.

TO (ES)

Barr.

Unbarr.

1st Generation

Side

Aircraft

Rear

Shelter

Front

See TABLE 5-II

2nd or 3rd Gene-

Side

ration Aircraft

Rear

Shelter

Front

Ready

Side

Service

Rear

Igloo

Front

Barr.

Use PART I Distances

Front

Unbarr.

Ready Service

Barr.

Magazine

Unbarr.

-IV-5-17-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

CHAPTER 6 - SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR THE TRANSFER OF MILITARY

AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES IN NAVAL OR MILITARY PORTS

Section I-Introduction

4.6.1.1.

The principles detailed in this chapter leaflet are designed to give the levels of protection to other vessels,

facilities and to personnel working in the immediate environment as well as to the general public when vessels are

anchored, moored or berthed in naval or military ports, and are in general based on the advice used in AASTP-1 for

above-ground storage.

4.6.1.2.

This leaflet recommends a desired level of protection, with related quantity-distances but because it may

not always be practical to obtain this desired level, also details, wherever possible, alternative lower levels of

protection and their related quantity-distances. It is the responsibility of the National Authorities to decide which

level of protection to use after conducting a proper assessment of the often conflicting requirements of safety and

operational effectiveness.

4.6.1.3.

In general warships are ignored for the purposes of this document provided that the following conditions

are met:

(1)

all ammunition is stowed in the designated magazines and/or explosives lockers

(2)

all explosive storage areas are secure

(3)

no movement of explosives takes place on board the warship.

4.6.1.4.

In general the guiding principle is to consider a vessel being loaded at a berth as equivalent to a storage site

for quantity distance purposes, particularly if the berth is in constant or almost constant use.

-IV-6-1-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

4.6.1.5.

However where the berth is not in constant use or a higher explosives limit is required for only short

periods of operation then the assessment of HD 1.1 limits should be made initially using the quantity distance

guidelines laid down in this leaflet and the results confirmed by a consequence analysis. Having assessed the HD

1.1 limits, limits for explosives of HD 1.2 and 1.3 are generally derived using a comparison technique.

4.6.1.6.

Appropriate models, which may be used to conduct the consequence analysis, are detailed in the modelling

section of AASTP-4.

4.6.1.7.

It must be emphasised that probability of propagation, damage and casualties are all directly related to

separation distance. Any increase above quantity-distances recommended in this leaflet will result therefore in

improved levels of protection. In addition good working practices can do much to reduce the probability of

propagation, for example mooring ships in tandem and closing hatches.

4.6.1.8.

As the aim of this leaflet is to produce a practical and applicable technique for the assessment of explosive

limits in ports, albeit naval or military ones, the advice given in the leaflet could also be useful to the regulatory

authorities, port users and the ports authorities themselves.

-IV-6-2-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section II- General

4.6.2.1.

This prescription details safety principles for the transfer of military explosives when vessels are anchored,

moored or berthed in naval or military ports, i.e. areas where the basin, cargo handling facilities, and inland support

facilities are under the jurisdiction of the military. Each vessel is considered either as a Potential Explosion Site

(PES) or as an Exposed Site (ES), if it is at risk from a PES. For definitions of other ES see AASTP-1.

4.6.2.2.

These principles apply to the separation distances to be observed by vessels loaded with military

explosives. Examples of such vessels are Lighters, Barges, Small Coastal Craft, Cargo Ships, Transports, Auxiliary

Vessels and Warships although this list is not intended to be exhaustive.

4.6.2.3.

Circumstances where these Principles may not apply. These principles are not applicable to military

explosives stored in ships' magazines, which are intended for the service of the shipboard armament or aircraft,

provided that these magazines are not opened or worked upon when the vessel is at the berth. They do, however,

apply to the loading, off-loading, or handling of such military explosives. Special procedures are applied to those

circumstances where ammunition "topping-up" operations are required.

4.6.2.4.

Traversed/Untraversed Vessels. The military explosives in a vessel are considered to be traversed when

they are all stored at least 0.5 m below the waterline. Conversely, if any are stored less than 0.5m below the

waterline, the total quantity of explosives embarked is to be considered as untraversed.

-IV-6-3-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section III - Calculation of Net Explosives Quantity

4.6.3.1.

In view of the close proximity of ships' compartments and holds, and adjacent ship to shore transfer area, it

is possible that an explosion could involve the whole cargo. For this reason all the military explosives on board a

vessel are to be aggregated in accordance with the principles of AASTP-1. The NEQ to be taken into account must

therefore include:

all military explosives on jetties or in vehicles or vessels alongside the ship;

and

all military explosives being handled and fitted on the deck of the ship;

and

all military explosives in the magazine or hold being worked plus those in adjacent magazines or

hold being worked plus those present in any other adjacent magazines unless the risk of

simultaneous propagation has been assessed as being negligible. (See paragraph 4.6.3.2 below)

4.6.3.2.

It may be possible to arrange for a vessel's explosive cargo to be stowed in such a way that the

simultaneous propagation of an explosion from one stowage location to another would not occur. Such stowage

must include both a separation distance and traversing to intercept and prevent high-speed fragments initiating a

simultaneous explosion. The distance must be at least 0.8 Q^1/3 and the traversing must be at least equivalent to the

traverse (2.4 metres of earth) normally provided for storage ashore. Care should be taken to ensure that there are no

'windows' in the traversing particularly where stowage on different deck levels is envisaged. The traverse can be

composed of inert material such as provisions, water ballast, ship's machinery, 1.4 ammunition, etc. During loading

and unloading operations only one hold may be worked at any one time and care must be taken to ensure that the

inert material remains in place to provide the necessary traverse. In case of doubt as to the equivalence or

effectiveness of the traverse advice may be sought through normal explosives safety channels.

-IV-6-4-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

4.6.3.3.

Quantity-Distances

Quantity-distances to be observed by vessels when carrying, loading or unloading military explosives at

piers, jetties, wharves or anchorages are given in Table A at Annex A and are to be applied as detailed below for the

NEQ concerned to ensure adequate protection of ES.

4.6.3.4.

Measurements are made from the nearest point of compartments in which military explosives are stowed in

a berthed or anchored vessel to the nearest point of the ES.

4.6.3.5.

When quantity-distances are calculated due allowance is to be made for movement of ships due to tides

when anchored or berthed at a single buoy. The radius of the swinging circle is to be taken into account in the

overall distance and the position of the aftermost compartment in which military explosives are stored taken as the

point from which the quantity-distances should be measured.

4.6.3.6.

If it is necessary to berth 2 or more vessels containing military explosives at less than the appropriate

separation distance that is required by considering each vessel as a separate PES, the total NEQ of the cargo of both

vessels is to be used as one unit PES to determine quantity-distances to any other ES.

4.6.3.7.

If berthing of 2 vessels together is necessary they should preferably be moored in tandem (i.e. one behind

the other) as the bows and sterns will afford additional protection to each of the vessels by reducing their exposed

areas. Provided that the conditions detailed in paragraph 3.2 above have been met this should allow the vessels to

be treated as being effectively traversed. Vessels so berthed should be secured by the bows and sterns to prevent

swinging in order to maintain the effectiveness of the traversing arrangement.

4.6.3.8.

Table B is a summary of quantity-distances to be observed for vessels loaded with or loading or unloading

military explosives of Hazard Division (HD) 1.1 in naval ports.

-IV-6-5-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section IV - Levels of Protection Against Propagation for HD 1.1

4.6.4.1.

General

There is only one level of protection against propagation, viz protection level B, allowed for, in accordance

with the principles laid down in AASTP-1. It is considered that protection level A is inappropriate since no vessel

is capable of providing complete protection against protection equivalent to that afforded by an earth covered

structure. In addition since, under protection level C, the loss of stocks, and therefore in all likliehood the vessels

containing them, at the ES is almost guaranteed in the event of an accidental explosion at the Potential Explosion

Site this level of protection is not considered as a normally acceptable option.

4.6.4.2.

Protection Level B

There is a high degree of protection against practically instantaneous propagation of explosion by ground

shock, blast, flame and high velocity projections. There are occasional fires or subsequent explosions caused by

these effects or by lobbed ammunition. Heavy cased ammunition is likely to be serviceable although covered by

debris. However the probability is significant that stocks of other types of explosives are likely to be lost through

subsequent propagation from lobbed ammunition or the spread of burning debris.

-IV-6-7-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section V - Protection Between Vessels Each Loaded with Military Explosives

4.6.5.1.

General

Such vessels must be separated from other vessels loaded with military explosives by quantity-distances

selected according to the HD of the military explosives concerned and the type of vessel at the ES. If the vessel at

the ES is a warship this may be discounted from consideration provided the conditions of paragraph 1.3 have been

met. The distances in this section are to be observed between vessels at anchorages, explosives piers or jetties. No

specific separation distances are advised to vessels which are underway.

4.6.5.2.

HD 1.1.

For HD 1.1 Protection Level B should be applied wherever practicable. Different separation distances are

recommended for warships and other explosives carrying vessels because of the rational given at 6.1. Smaller

separation distances are also quoted which may be acceptable when it is unlikely that significant numbers of

personnel will be exposed to blast and debris hazards. Berthing of vessels in tandem at the same pier or at an

anchorage will help to decrease the fragment hazard to the explosive cargo because of the additional protection

afforded by the bow and stern. The quantity-distances, which should be used, are given below and the distance

functions quoted relate to those given in Table A at Annex A.

4.6.5.3.

Normal Protection Level (B) for explosives carrying vessels :

Untraversed : SD3.

Traversed : SD2.

HD 1.2. For HD 1.2 fixed separation distances are applied as follows :

-IV-6-8-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

60 m for military explosives of HD 1.2*

90 m for military explosives of HD 1.2

4.6.5.4.

Flooding

An incident involving military explosives belonging only to HD 1.2 may be reduced significantly in severity if

means are available to rapidly flood the vessel. In such a case, a lesser distance of 60 m may be acceptable.

4.6.5.5.

HD 1.3

A minimum separation distance of 60 m is to be used whether the PES is traversed or untraversed and for any

quantity of explosives regardless of the vessel at the ES.

4.6.5.6.

HD 1.4

When the cargo comprises only military ammunition and explosives of HD 1.4, vessels are to be separated by

a minimum distance of at least 25 m for any quantity of explosives whether the vessel is traversed or untraversed. This

is primarily to allow effective fire fighting access.

4.6.5.7.

Piers and Jetties

The distances quoted above for other explosives carrying vessels should also be used for protection of

untraversed military explosives on piers and jetties from vessels (both traversed and untraversed) loaded with military

explosives.

-IV-6-9-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section VI - Protection from Vessels Loading or Unloading Military Explosives

4.6.6.1.

The distances in this section are also to be observed from a vessel loading or unloading at an anchorage,

explosives pier or jetty. No specific separation distances are advised to vessels which are underway.

4.6.6.2.

To vessels carrying military explosives, untraversed.

HD 1.1 : SD4

HD 1.2 : Fixed separation distance of 90 m.

HD 1.2* : Fixed separation distance of 60 m.

HD 1.3 : Fixed separation distance of 60 m.

HD 1.4 : Fixed separation distance of 25 m.

4.6.6.3.

To vessels carrying military explosives, effectively traversed.

HD 1.1 : SD3

HD 1.2 : Fixed separation distance of 90 m.

HD 1.2* : Fixed separation distance of 60 m.

HD 1.3 : Fixed separation distance of 60 m.

HD 1.4 : Fixed separation distance.

-IV-6-10-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

4.6.6.4.

Protection of Explosives Workshops

The separation distances from all vessels loaded or vessels loading or unloading military explosives to an

explosives workshop are to be based on the aggregated NEQ within the vessel and on the adjacent transfer area. These

distances are the minimum permissible distances between PES and explosives workshops as given in AASTP-1. The

distances are intended to provide a reasonable degree of immunity for personnel within the explosives workshops from

the effects of a nearby explosion, such as blast, flame, radiant heat and projections. Light structures are likely to be

severely damaged. These distances also provide a high degree of protection against immediate or subsequent

propagation of explosion.

4.6.6.5.

Protection of Marshalling Areas

Separation from loaded vessels or vessels loading or unloading military explosives to marshalling areas

containing road or rail trucks and wagons of military explosives are SD3-distances given in Table A for traversed and

untraversed vessels, based on the NEQ within the vessel and on the adjacent transfer area.

4.6.6.6.

Protection of the General Public and Other Non Explosive Exposed Sites

Schools, Hospitals and Similar Institutions must not be sited at less than the full inhabited building distance

(22.2 Q^1/3 ) when occupied.

Buildings of Vulnerable Construction must not be sited at less than 33 Q^1/3 but these will require individual

assessments. Buildings of Vulnerable Construction are defined in AASTP-1.

Ordinary Property of Conventional Design should in general not be sited at less than 16.7 Q^1/3 separation

distances. However a few isolated buildings may be acceptable between SD3 and 16.7 Q^1/3 distances provided

that no unacceptable fatality levels are generated as a result. It may also be necessary for such property beyond

22.2 Q^1/3 to be taken into account if there are areas of high density development. Any property of

unconventional design will have to be assessed separately. The following types of facilities are included in this

overall grouping:

(a)

one or two storey housing of conventional brick wall design

-IV-6-11-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

(b)

public houses

(c)

dock offices, customs offices, etc

(d)

factories, offices and manned facilities not in any way associated with the explosives

handling.

(e)

Personnel working in the open and not involved with the explosives shipment should not be

exposed at separations less than 11.1 Q^1/3.

(f)

Bulk above ground Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant Storage Installations should not be sited at

less than 11.1 Q^1/3 , provided that the tanks are effectively bunded. Special attention should

be paid to Petroleum Spirit, LNG and LPG tanks which should not generally be sited at less

than 16.7 Q^1/3 distances.

(g)

Canteens should in general not be sited at less than 11.1 Q^1/3 provided they are occupied by

less than 50 people. If they are occupied by more than 50 people they should in general not

be sited at less than 16.7 Q^1/3 distances. They may be ignored if they are likely to be

unoccupied during the actual explosives handling operations.

(h)

Passenger terminals and passenger ships when embarking or disembarking should not be

sited at less than 22.2 Q^1/3 when explosives are being handled and 16.7 Q^1/3 from ships

loaded with explosives where explosives are not being handled. Any open areas over

which passengers are likely to pass should not in general be sited at less than 11.1 Q^1/3.

(i)

Tankers used for carrying petroleum spirit, LNG or LPG, unless empty and inerted, should

not be sited at less than 16.7 Q^1/3, provided that neither the explosives are being handled or

the tanker is being loaded or unloaded. If concurrent operations are essential then the

separation should not be less than 22.2 Q^1/3. A separation of 16.7 Q^1/3 should be used from

an explosives ship if the explosives are being handled but no loading or unloading of the

tanker is taking place, or vice-versa.

(j)

Bulk carriers carrying significant quantities of other dangerous goods should not be berthed

at less than 11.1 Q^1/3. Consideration may need to be given to special loads.

-IV-6-12-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

(k)

Lock gates or other facilities, if vital to the operation of the port and manned should be

assessed specifically but in general should not be sited at less than 11.1 Q^1/3.

(l)

Transit Sheds and other installations used for the storage of significant quantities of highly

flammable materials should not be sited at less than 16.7 Q^1/3. Such facilities containing

other dangerous goods should not be sited at less than 11.1 Q^1/3. If the facility is used for

the storage of inert materials and is unmanned it may be ignored. If the facility is manned it

should not in general be sited at less than

16.7 Q^1/3. However lesser distances may be

acceptable if the facility is of substantial construction or the numbers employed in the

facility are very low.

(m)

Roads giving access to the berth may be ignored but the density of traffic on all other roads

should be assessed. If the density of traffic is very high then they should not be sited at less

than 16.7 Q^1/3. If the density is relatively low the road should not be sited in general at less

than 11.1 Q^1/3. All other roads should not in general be sited at less than 8.0 Q^1/3.

(n)

Railways used for goods traffic in the dock area may be ignored. Main line or busy

suburban passenger train routes should not be sited at less than 16.7 Q^1/3. All other

passenger routes should not in general be sited at less than 11.1 Q^1/3.

(o)

Other ships, not loaded or with non-dangerous cargoes and having resident personnel on

board, should be sited at not less than 11.1 Q^1/3.

-IV-6-13-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Section VII - Scuttling Areas

6.6.7.1.

Safe areas should be designated at ports used for handling military explosives to which vessels carrying

military explosives should, if possible, be directed or towed in the event of circumstances leading to a decision to

scuttle. Scuttling areas should be selected at the appropriate quantity-distances from ES, and in sufficient depth of

water to ensure complete swamping of military explosives holds at all states of the tides. Calculation should be based

on the largest NEQ likely to be in a single vessel handled at the port and the quantity-distance should be measured from

the boundaries of the designated scuttling area. The scuttling area will normally be one of the approved licensed berths

or buoys.

-IV-6-14-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Annex IV-A

Table A. Q-D Table for Vessels

Net Explosives

Quantity-Distances

Quantity

SD1

SD2

SD3

SD4

500

135

130

600

135

700

135

145

800

135

150

900

135

155

1 000

135

160

1 200

135

175

1 400

135

180

1 600

135

190

1 800

135

195

2 000

135

205

2 500

135

220

3 000

135

235

3 500

135

245

4 000

135

255

5 000

140

275

6 000

150

295

7 000

155

310

8 000

160

320

9 000

100

170

335

10 000

105

175

345

12 000

110

185

370

14 000

120

195

390

16 000

125

203

405

18 000

130

210

420

20 000

135

218

435

25 000

145

235

470

30 000

100

150

250

500

35 000

105

160

265

530

40 000

110

165

275

550

50 000

120

180

295

590

60 000

130

190

315

630

70 000

135

200

330

660

80 000

140

210

345

690

90 000

145

220

360

720

100 000

150

225

375

750

130 000

160

245

395

790

140 000

170

250

420

840

160 000

175

265

435

870

180 000

185

275

455

910

200 000

190

285

470

940

250 000

205

305

510

1 020

300 000

215

325

540

1 080

350 000

230

340

570

1 140

400 000

240

355

590

1 180

500 000

255

380

640

1 280

1 000 000

320

480

800

1 600

Distance functions

SD1=3.2Q

1/3

SD2=4.8Q

1/3

SD3=8.0Q

1/3

SD4=16.0Q

1/3

-IV-6-15-

Change 3

AASTP-1

(Edition 1)

Annex IV-B

Table B. Summary of Quantity-Distances to be Observed for Seagoing Vessels Loaded with or Loading or Unloading

Military Explosives HD 1.1 in Naval Ports

Exposed site

Potential explosion site

Vessels loaded with explosives

Vessels loading or unloading explosives

Traversed

Untraversed

Traversed

Untraversed

Vessels loaded

SD3

SD3 (135 m

SD4^b

with explosives

minimum)

Vessels loading or

SD4^b

SD4^ab

unloading

explosives

Other cargo

SD4^b

SD4^b (180 m

SD4^b

SD4^b (180 m

vessels

minimum)

Port facilities

Inhabited buildings

Public traffic

routes and main

shipping routes

Explosives

workshops

Holding areas

SD3

POL jetties

SD4^b

Notes

a. Ships moored in tandem may use SD2-distances.

b. May be reduced to SD3 provided the exposed vessels are under military control and the controlling authority

determines the exposure to be operationally necessary.

c. Quantity-distances in AASTP-1 Inhabited Building Distances and Public Traffic Routes.

-IV-6-16-

Change 3

MANUAL OF NATO SAFETY PRINCIPLES FOR THE STORAGE OF MILITARY AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES (May 2010) - page 20