If  a  hangfire  occurs,  personnel  must forward  of  the  aircraft  until  all  danger  of launching  has  passed. The catapult must NOT be operated not  pass a  delayed with any known  broken  lockwires,  loose  or  cracked  component, major  hydraulic  leakage,  defective  reeving,  or  electrical control  malfunction. During any type of launching, live steam escapes from the track and brake areas. As this steam can cause severe scalding of exposed areas of the body, personnel in the area must avoid contact with it. When the catapult  is  in  operating  status,  exposed  metallic  parts, such  as  track  covers,  launching  and  exhaust  valves,  and steam supply piping, may be hot enough to bum exposed areas of the body on contact. Therefore, operating personnel with duties in these areas should be equipped  with  appropriate  protective  clothing. Aircraft  launchings  must  NOT  be  made  if  the required  minimum  cylinder  elongation  has  not  been attained. An exception to this rule may be made under emergency conditions when wind-over-deck requirements  have  been  increased  as  specified  in applicable  Aircraft  Launching  Bulletins. Aircraft must not be launched at weights and wind requirements  other  than  those  specified  in  applicable Aircraft Launching Bulletins.  Maximum  loading  of aircraft,  as  specified  in  the  NATOPS  Manual  for  each type of aircraft, must be adhered to at all times. Inspect all pumps and their limit switches and safety  valves.  Failure  of  safety  devices  can  result  in dangerous  overpressures  if  the  pump  continues  to operate. This condition may result in rupture of hydraulic  pneumatic  lines  and  danger  to  personnel.  See the  applicable NAVAIR  technical  manuals  for procedures to fight catapult fires and emergency procedures  for  inoperable Securing  the  Catapult The  catapult  may  be three  conditions: steam-smothering   systems. secured  under  the  following · READY—Inactive for short period of time (not to  exceed  12  hours). · STANDBY—Inactive for a long period of time (more than 12 hours but less than 72 hours). · SHUTDOWN—Inactive  for  an  extended  period of time (more than 72 hours). READY.  —The order to maintain the catapult in a READY condition should be given when launching operations  are  intermittent  or  when  certain  conditions make  it  necessary  to  keep  the  catapult  in  a  state  of preparedness  for  launching  within  seconds  after  an order  is  given. In  the  READY  condition,  the  catapult  is  kept  in  a fully operational status, as between launching cycles. If time  permits,  steam  pressure  should  be  blown  down  and a  thorough  visual  inspection  conducted  in  the water-brake   tank. STANDBY. —If the order for the STANDBY condition  of  securing  is  given,  it  usually  comes  after  the day’s  launching  operations  are  completed  and  there  is no  possibility  of  additional  launching  within  12  hours. The post-launch duties and inspection must be performed  according  to  the  MRCs  and  those  applicable steps  in  the  preceding  paragraphs. SHUTDOWN  (COLD  IRON)  .  —The  order  for SHUTDOWN condition of securing the catapult is given when it is known that the catapult is not to be used in the immediate future or is not to be used for some definite period of time. The SHUTDOWN condition  should  also  be  ordered  when  the  catapult  is secured  for  the  purpose  of  maintenance  or  overhaul. Personnel  perform  the  post  launch  duties  and inspection  according  to  MRCs  before  proceeding  with the  securing  operations.    Secure the catapult for SHUTDOWN as follows: 1. Secure all main steam charging and preheat valves. 2. Skim and drain the water-brake tank. MAINTENANCE  AND  INSPECTIONS The entire catapult should be kept as clean as possible. It should be wiped down daily to remove excess grease, oil, and dirt. All catapult personnel should be constantly alert for any unusual sound or action of the machinery. Report any unusual condition to the catapult officer for immediate investigation. 4-74