compatible when stored together. NAVSEA OP 5,
volume 2, contains a listing, by DOD Q-D hazard class,
of naval ammunition and explosives.
Storage Compatibility Groups
Ammunition and explosives are assigned to one of
twelve storage compatibility groups (A through H, J, K,
L, and S).
GROUP A. Group A items are initiating
explosives. These are bulk initiating explosives that
have the necessary sensitivity to heat, friction, or percus-
sion to make them suitable for use as initiating elements
in an explosive train. Wet lead oxide, wet lead styphnate,
wet mercury fulminate, wet tetracene, dry RDX, and dry
PETN are examples of initiating explosives.
GROUP B. Group B items are detonators and
similar initiating devices. These are items containing
explosives that are designed to initiate or continue the
functioning of an explosive train. Detonators, blasting
caps, small arms primers, and fuzes without two or more
safing features are examples of Group B items.
GROUP C. Group C items are bulk solid
propellants, propelling charges, devices containing
propellant with or without a means of ignition, and items
that will deflagrate, explode or detonate upon initiation.
Examples of Group C items are single-, double-, and triple-
base propellants, composite propellants, rocket motors
(solid propellant), and ammunition with inert projectiles.
GROUP D. Group D items are black powder, high
explosives (HE), ammunition containing HE without its
own means of initiation and without propelling charges,
and fuzes with two or more safing features. This group
includes ammunition and explosives that may explode
or detonate when any given item or component is
initiated. Also included in this group is ammunition
with an initiating device that is packaged to eliminate
the risk of ammunition detonation if accidental
functioning of the initiating device occurs. The
initiating function is confined within the package unless
the package has been degraded by fire. In this case, all
blast or projection effects are limited to the extent that
they will not significantly hinder fire fighting.
Examples of these items are thermal batteries, explosive
switches or valves, and other ammunition items
packaged to meet the criteria established for this group.
GROUP E. Group E items are ammunition that
contains HE without its own means of initiation with a
propulsive charge (other than one containing a flam-
mable or hyperbolic liquid). Examples of these items
are artillery ammunition, rockets, and guided missiles.
GROUP F. Group F items are HE ammunition with
means of initiation other than described in Group D,
with a propelling charge (other than one containing a
flammable or hyperbolic liquid) or without a propelling
charge. This group includes HE ammunition or devices
(fuzed) with or without propelling charges. Examples
are items initiated by means of a bouchon firing device,
grenades, sounding devices, and similar items that have
an in-line explosive train in the initiator.
GROUP G. Group G items are fireworks, and
illuminating, incendiary, smoke (including HC) or
tear-producing munitions other than those munitions
that are water activated or contain white phosphorus,
flammable liquid or gel. This group includes
ammunition that, upon functioning, results in an
incendiary, illumination, lachrymatory, smoke, or sound
effect. Examples of these items are flares, signals,
incendiary or illuminating ammunition, and other
smoke or tear-producing devices.
GROUP H. Group H items contain explosives and
white phosphorus or other pyrophoric material.
Ammunition in this group contains a filler, which is
spontaneously flammable when exposed to the
atmosphere. Examples of these items are white
phosphorus (WP), white phosphorus plasticized (PWP),
or other ammunition containing pyrophoric material.
GROUP J. Ammunition in this group contains both
explosives and flammable liquids or gels. This
ammunition contains flammable liquids or gels other
than those that are spontaneously flammable when
exposed to water or to the atmosphere. Examples of
these items are liquid- or gel-filled incendiary
ammunition, fuel air explosive (FAE) devices,
flammable-fueled missiles and torpedoes.
GROUP K. Ammunition in group K contains both
explosives and toxic chemical agents. Ammunition in
this group contains chemicals specifically designed for
incapacitating effects that are more severe than
lachrymation. Examples of these items are artillery or
mortar ammunition (fuzed or unfuzed), grenades, and
rockets or bombs filled with a lethal or incapacitating
chemical agent.
GROUP L. Ammunition in Group L is not included
in other compatibility groups. Ammunition in this
group has characteristics that dont permit storage with
other types of ammunition, explosives, or dissimilar
ammunition within this group. Examples of these items
are water-activated devices, prepackaged hyperbolic
liquid-fueled rocket engines, certain fuel-air-explosive
(FAE) devices, TPA (thickened TEA), and damaged or
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