Calcium Hypochlorite Calcium  hypochlorite  itself  is  noncombustible; however,  it  is  a  strong  oxidizing  agent  that  generates heat,  liberates  chlorine,  and  causes  fire  when  stowed  in contact with paints, oils, greases, detergents, acids, alkalies,  antifreeze,  fabrics,  and  other  organic  and combustible  materials.  Calcium  hypochlorite  must  be stowed   in   bins   or   lockers   labeled   HAZARDOUS MATERIAL-CALCIUM   HYPOCHLORITE   in   red letters  on  a  white  background.  The  bins  or  lockers should be located at least 5 feet away from any heat source   or   surface   that   may   exceed   140   degrees Fahrenheit. The bins and lockers should not be subject to condensation or water accumulation. The are a must not be adjacent to a magazine and must not be used for storing combustible organic materials. An individual locker or bin must contain no more than 48 six-ounce bottles. Compressed  Gases Compressed gases must be stowed on the weather deck unless the ship has below-deck stowage spaces specifically designed for such material. Compressed gas cylinders must be stowed vertically and securely with valve protection caps in place, away from other flammable  materials,  especially  grease  and  oil.  When compressed gases are stowed on the weather deck, the cylinders  must  be  located  as  far  as  possible  from navigation, fire control, or gun stations, and must be protected  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun  or accumulation of snow and ice. When compressed gases are stowed below decks, precautions must be taken to prevent leaking gases from entering ventilation air intakes leading to working or living spaces. Usually, empty cylinders still have some gas remaining in the cylinders; therefore, empty cylinders must be stowed and handled with the same precautions as full cylinders, and  labeled  “MT.”  Compressed  gases,  particularly  the flammable and explosive gases, must be handled with extreme  care,  Some  general  rules  for  handling compressed gas cylinders are as follows: Take  every  precaution  to  prevent  cylinders  from being  dropped  or  forcefully  struck  against  hard surfaces  (including  other  cylinders).  Do  not tamper  with  the  safety  devices  in  cylinder discharge values, When cylinders are not in use, make sure that the valve protection caps are securely  attached. Prevent  cylinders  from  contact  with  fire,  sparks, or electrical circuits. l l l Do not drag or slide cylinders. They should be secured and moved by hand trucks, or tilt the cylinders and roll them on the bottom edge. Secure cylinders in a cradle, pallet, or rack when they are loaded or off-loaded with a crane or derrick. Never   hoist   cylinders   with electromagnets  or  with  hooks  or  line  attached  to the valve protection cap. Do  not  alter  or  deface  the  numbers  or  other markings  on  cylinders;  do  not  add  markings without approval of the engineer officer; and do not issue cylinders if the contents cannot be identified. Detailed  information  relative  to  the  stowage, handling, and use of various types of compressed gases is contained in the Naval Ships’ Technical Manual, chapter 550. For specific markings and color codes that apply to cylinders of compressed gases, refer to  Military Standard, Color Code for Pipelines and Compressed Gas  Cylinders,  MIL-STD-101B.  The  hazardous  gases commonly used by ships include acetylene, oxygen, propane,  and  various  refrigerants. Acetylene is inherently unstable and may explode when subjected to heat or shock, or upon contact with chlorine or certain metals such as copper, silver, and mercury.   Therefore,   acetylene   must   be   stowed separately from oxygen or any other materials with which it forms an explosive compound; the gas must never be allowed to escape into an enclosed area; and the cylinders must be protected from flames, sparks, lighting, and static electricity. Test for suspected leaks with soapy water. In  moderate  concentrations,  acetylene  may  act  as an intoxicant. In higher concentrations, it will cause unconsciousness,  and  ultimately,  asphyxiation.  Some grades  of  acetylene  also  contain  many  impurities. Therefore, breathing of acetylene in any concentration for any length of time must be avoided. Acetylene  in  cylinders  is  dissolved  in  acetone, which  has  a  tendency  to  flow  into  the  valve  if  the cylinders  are  stowed  horizontally.  For  this  reason, acetylene must be stowed and used only in an upright position, valve end up. When it is known or suspected that acetylene cylinders have been stowed on their sides, they must not be used until they have been in a vertical position for at least 2 hours. 2-16