Contract number - extracted from sample tag.
Federal Stock Number - extracted from sample tag.
Date sample taken - extracted from sample tag.
Qual number - extracted from sample tag.
Batch number - extracted from sample tag.
Fill date - extracted from sample tag.
Delivery date - extracted from sample tag.
Blocks 1 through 62 - data extracted from specifications.
Remarks block - fuel disposition.
Date forward, signature, title - NCOIC or OIC of lab.
PART C - CONDUCTING TESTS AND INTERPRETING RESULTS
There are several ways to check for product contamination in the field. Product
temperature and gravity, visual checks, particulate contamination by color and the Aqua Glo test all provide
clues to product contamination.
Temperature and Gravity. When a shipment arrives at a Class III facility, take the temperature and API
gravity of the product. Determine the API gravity of the product. Gravity indicates uniformity of fuel
more reliably than its quality. If the API gravity is out of range of that of the expected product, or if the
difference at the same temperature is greater than 1/2 degree, do not unload the product until it is
laboratory tested, as it may be contaminated.
Visual checks. Look at the product carefully each time a transporter is loaded or unloaded. Proper color
in a fuel indicates freshness and uniformity but not quality. When the color is off, it does not necessarily
mean the product is off specification. However, it may show contamination or deterioration that may
merit further investigation. If the fuel is cloudy or hazy, it probably contains undissolved water.
Particulate contamination. Particulate contamination may be determined using the color method in a
field environment. Samples are checked against a color standard to determine if a product is suitable for
use. This method does not replace the requirement to have active filter/separators checked every 30
days by a laboratory.
Aqua-Glo. The Aqua-Glo measures water in parts per million (PPM). Test results in excess of 10 PPM
indicate aviation fuel is not suitable for Army or Air Force use. Aviation fuel used in Navy and Marine
Corps equipment may not exceed 5 PPM.
PART D - FIRE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Follow these precautions during any gaging operation:
Never conduct gaging operations in an electrical storm.
Ensure soldiers doing the gaging check to see that the tank vehicles and tanks being gaged are properly
bonded and grounded. Before starting gaging operations, they should ground themselves by touching
their bare hands to the tank shell being gaged.
Ensure supervisors do a safety risk assessment on whether soldiers should wear field gear during gaging
operations. Although field gear can fall off and contaminate fuel and possibly create static electricity
discharges, these factors should be balanced against the fact that a soldier could be severely injured
from falling off tank vehicles or possibly injured due to the tactical situation (sniper fire, riots during
contingency operations). In forward areas on tank vehicles, soldiers should wear full field gear, since the
danger from related injuries is high and explosion and contamination dangers are relatively low. For
operations on large fixed tanks in rear or garrison areas, soldiers should remove all loose uniform and
field gear items that may potentially fall into the tank, since injury risks are relatively low, but the results
of a static electricity discharge or fuel contamination are large.
Open all hatches from the upwind side to allow the wind to blow vapors away from the gager. Avoid
breathing vapors and fumes. Never allow soldiers to conduct gaging operations or any other petroleum
operation alone. Train soldiers to recognize the symptoms of excess vapor inhalation and the steps to
take if someone is overcome with petroleum vapors.
Stand on the gaging platform, if the tank has one. Avoid standing on the roof.
Keep the tape in a tape and bob against the rim of the gaging hatch at all times to avoid buildup of static
electricity. Wipe the tape clean and dry after each use.
10-4
QM 5092
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