Develop a Flow Plan. After you select the specific sites for the parts of the Class III supply point,
develop a flow plan so that you do not handle products and containers more than is needed. The flow plan
identifies steps which can be eliminated, combined, or changed to make the operation more efficient. It can
also show unnecessary delays in handling and transporting. When developing the plan, consider the location
of bulk storage, packaged product storage, bulk reduction, and can and drum cleaning areas. Also consider
the flow of traffic through the supply point. Only one-way traffic should be permitted in the supply point.
Study the area, and make up a flow plan before the supply point moves to the new location.
PART C - SELECTION OF CLASS III SUPPLY POINT
Layout Design. Once the area has been declared safe for use by the advance party and communication
has been established with the main body, actual site selection begins. In determining the layout of the
system, you should use some of the factors the commander used in making his site selection such as:
Adequate space to provide storage space and truck parking requirements for both your vehicles and your
customer vehicles.
A good road net with at least one road running through your operations. A good road is not a trail. A
good road is one that will hold up under heavy traffic and will not turn into a mud trap when it rains.
Location is away from populated areas.
In addition to the above, you need to consider the following when you are making your selection:
Use vacated forward sites or existing facilities if possible. Many times you will be able to inherit a site
that was previously occupied by some other units. Usually they will leave behind many improvements
such as fighting positions or improvements to the existing road network that you will be able to use for
your operations.
Avoid low areas so vapors do not get the chance to collect.
Use reasonably level ground with no more than a 3-degree incline on any surface. If you set up on a
larger incline, your storage tanks could roll when you start to fill them.
Do not set up upstream of troop concentrations. Spills and accidents could pollute their water supply.
Maximize use of cover and concealment. Often, many of the components of a Class III supply point can
be concealed inside a wooded area or along a tree line. Other components can be hardened with
sandbags.
Distance between each storage tank. Forty feet is recommended for safe operations; however, the
physical terrain features of the final site will dictate the actual distance between the tanks.
One-way traffic flow with checkpoints at the entry and exit points.
Different space requirements for bulk, retail, and packaged operations. The operating space to service
retail customers may not be the same as for bulk customers. Usually, you will need a much larger
operating space for your bulk customers than your retail customers,
Availability of other transportation modes. You should always try to take advantage of any rail loading
facilities or barge loading points whenever possible.
Site Selection. Select a reasonably level site that can hold container stacks. Choose a site with good
drainage so that water does not damage the containers. Avoid low areas because dangerous vapors collect
in them. Do not use an area with a cinder base or marshland and wasteland overlaid with peat; they are
usually damp. Use such areas only if no other site is available. Be sure the site has natural cover and
concealment and is large enough for future expansion. Do not locate near other areas of operation
(Figure 1-1). Stay at least 500 feet away for low-flash products and 200 feet for high-flash products. Your
site must be away from overhead electric lines so a broken wire cannot fall on the drums. Clear the site of
all underbrush that may get in the way or present a fire hazard. Spread sand, gravel, or similar material over
areas where you store containers. They help drain the area and provide a more stable base for the stocks.
Do not use ashes or cinders because they are corrosive. Build a dike at least 18 inches high around each
major storage division in which low-flash products are stored. This dike must be able to hold all the liquid in
the drums stored in the area and have a freeboard of at least 6 inches. Choose a site for at least two
clearing (incoming and outgoing) areas. These will be used to segregate incoming and outgoing mixed loads
(railroad cars or truckloads). Each area should have its own site. The sites should be located next to each
other so that the same personnel can operate both areas.
1-3
QM 5095
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