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APPENDIX A
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND SERVICE (M33A1)
1. Perform the four preventive maintenance checks and services on the M33A1.
a. Perform overall visual inspection.
(1) Make sure system is clean, properly installed, and usable.
(2) Tighten all hose connections.
(3) Check quick-disconnect couplings for serviceability.
(4) Check the agent container cylinder and make sure it is not damaged.
(5) Make sure the drain cock is fully closed (fully clockwise).
(6) Visually check the quick-disconnect on the hose assembly.
(7) Make sure the connections on the air cylinder are not loose.
(8) Ensure the high-pressure rupture disk assembly and the safety relief valve are not blown out.
(9) Inspect the frame and harness assembly.
(a) Make sure the straps are fastened securely to hold agent container and air cylinder to the frame.
(b) Make sure the spring loaded clamps are fully closed.
(c) Check the shoulder and waist straps for serviceability.
(10) Inspect the frame for damaged or missing identification.
(11) Make sure the pressure regulator is securely fastened to the frame.
b. Inspect gun assembly.
(1) Make sure the nozzle is installed in the disperser.
(2) Turn trip knob clockwise until resistance is felt to make sure pressurized air is shut off.
(3) Check the hole in the check spring unit and make sure it is unplugged.
(4) Squeeze the trigger to make sure it works.
(5) Make certain the adjust nut moves freely from its most forward position against the trigger and returns to the rear against the handle body.
c. Inspect the air pressure assembly. Be sure the air cylinder is charged and tagged showing the content and date.
d. Check the agent container assembly. Check that the agent container assembly is tagged and filled.
2. Replace the agent container and air cylinder.
a. Replace agent container with new container.
(1) Close the grip knob and remove the quick disconnect coupling from the regulator or air cylinder.
(2) Open the spring loaded clamps (two places).
(3) Remove the empty container.
(4) Move empty container away from the frame and harness assembly to keep from contaminating them.
(5) Invert the empty containers so that the filling neck is up, and slowly open the drain cock.
(6) After releasing pressure, aim the gun away from friendly personnel and squeeze the trigger.
(7) Release trigger and close the drain cock.
(8) Undo the manifold coupler assembly (with hoses and gun attached) from the quick disconnect coupling half of the empty container assembly. Do not let the disconnect manifold coupling assembly, hoses, gun, and quick disconnect coupling half become contaminated with dirt or foreign matter.
(9) Hold the full container upright. Remove support collar and cam action closure from the container assembly.
(10) Install the cam action closure and the support collar on the removed empty container assembly. Place the cam action closure in the quick disconnect coupling half. The cam action closure is adjustable. Turn the center stem clockwise to tighten snugly before closing the stem. Lock the closure in place and install the support collar to prevent spillage of leftover CS dry agent.
(11) Hold the full container upright, insert the check valve assembly (dry) into the container assembly. Connect the manifold coupling assembly to the quick disconnect coupling half of the container assembly.
(12) Connect the container assembly to the frame and harness assembly. The metallic hose should be on the grip knob side for right-handed users, reverse side for left-handed users.
(13) Fasten the spring loaded clamps (two places) to secure the container assembly on the frame and harness assembly.
(14) Connect the two halves of the quick disconnect coupling at the regulator.
(15) Insert the gun into the holster.
b. Replace the air cylinder.
(1) Close the grip knob.
(2) Invert the disperser and slowly open the drain cock.
(3) After pressure has been released, close the drain cock.
(4) Disconnect the valve activating coupler assembly from the nipper assembly of the air cylinder.
(5) Open the spring-loaded clamp. Slide the air cylinder clear of the frame assembly.
(6) Obtain a charge air cylinder and slide it into position on the frame assembly.
(7) Fasten the spring loaded clamp to secure the air cylinder to the frame assembly.
(8) Connect the valve activating coupler assembly to the nipper assembly on the air pressure assembly.
3. Put on the disperser harness and adjust it.
a. Place your arms through the shoulder straps.
b. Adjust harness for fit by using the slide buckles on the shoulder and waist straps.
c. Adjust the straps until the disperser feels comfortable, yet is held snugly so it does not slip when you change positions.
d. You may carry and fire from any position that provides stability and enough freedom to aim at the target. Best results are achieved when a disperser is carried and fired when the agent container is as close to vertical as possible.
4. Fire the disperser.
WARNING: WEAR PROTECTIVE MASK AND RUBBER GLOVES WHEN OPERATING OR SERVICING THE DISPERSER WITH RIOT CONTROL AGENTS. WEAR PROTECTIVE HOOD, IF AVAILABLE. FILLING MUST BE DONE IN A SAFE AREA AS DESIGNATED BY THE LOCAL COMMANDER.
WARNING: NEVER DIRECT RIOT CONTROL AGENTS AT FRIENDLY PERSONNEL OR FIRE IT INTO THE WIND.
NOTE: DO NOT FIRE A DISPERSER INDOORS WHEN USING DRY RIOT CONTROL AGENTS. OPEN FLAME OR A SPARK CAN CAUSE A DUST EXPLOSION.
WARNING: THE DISPERSER CONTAINS A LARGE AMOUNT OF RIOT CONTROL AGENTS WHICH CAN BE RELEASED QUICKLY. THE OPERATOR AND LOCAL COMMANDER MUST STAY VERY ALERT TO KEEP THE TARGET AREA FROM BEING COVERED WITH EXCESS RIOT CONTROL AGENTS.
a. Pressurize the agent container.
(1) Unlock the gun trigger and make sure it is not pulled back to fire.
(2) Rotate the grip knob counterclockwise in the direction marked by the arrow and the word open on the grip knob until resistance is felt, approximately one turn.
b. Aim the disperser.
NOTE: THERE ARE NO SIGHTS ON THE DISPERSER.
(1) Point the gun so the wind will carry the riot control agent to the target area. The disperser will send riot control agents up to a distance of 50 feet in still air.
(2) Consider wind direction when firing the disperser. Best results are achieved with a tail wind. Any tail wind will carry the riot control agent a greater distance depending upon wind velocities. Cross winds affect the discharged riot control agent with possible bad effects.
c. Fire the disperser. Short bursts are the most effective.
(1) Place one hand on the nozzle housing assembly for balance and the firing hand on the trigger and handle of the gun.
(2) Press the trigger with the fingers of the firing hand. Discharge of agent begins as soon as the trigger is pulled.
d. Stoppages. A common cause of stoppages is the damp CS that has formed a clog inside the agent container.
(1) The operator, while still wearing the M33A1, will release the trigger and point the gun nozzle in a safe direction. The operator will bend forward slightly.
(2) The assistant operator will carefully open both spring loaded clamps that secure the pressurized agent container to the frame. Ensure that the agent container is not allowed to fall free.
(3) The assistant operator will place one hand on the agent container manifold. This hand will carry the weight of the agent container and be a pivot point. The other hand will go on top of the agent container. Now manipulate the container by swinging it back and forth.
(4) Position the agent canister back on the frame. Refasten the pressurized agent container using both spring loaded clamps.
(5) The operator will now repeat firing procedures as stated above in paragraph 4a and b. If the M33A1 still will not fire, proceed to paragraph 4e.
e. After you have fired the disperser.
(1) Close grip knob on the air cylinder.
(2) Aim the gun away from friendly personnel and squeeze the trigger to clear any agent remaining in the hose line.
5. Perform after-operation maintenance in a safe area designated by the local commander.
a. Make sure grip knob on the air cylinder is closed.
b. Invert agent container, then slowly open the drain cock releasing the pressure.
c. Aim the gun away from friendly personnel and squeeze the trigger to clear the gun assembly.
d. Release trigger and close the drain cock.
e. If all the agent was not used in the mission, report this fact to organization maintenance personnel when it is turned in.
6. When you are issued an M36, check white paper seal on actuator to make sure it is not broken. Do not accept a disperser with a broken seal.
7. Use the M36 disperser.
a. Hold can upright.
b. Unlock by rotating the actuator clockwise. (NOTE: This will break the white paper seal.)
c. Aim for subject's face.
d. Press down on the actuator with the index finger to release a stream of wet CR.
NOTE: DO NOT SPRAY ANYONE WHO IS CLOSER THAN 3 FEET FOR MORE THAN 5 SECONDS. RIOT CONTROL AGENT CR SOLUTION IS LONG LASTING; IT STAYS IN THE AIR AND ON CLOTHES. DO NOT USE NEAR HOSPITALS OR OTHER BUILDINGS WHERE LINGERING CONTAMINATION COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS.
e. Lock the actuator after use by rotating it clockwise.
8. Decontaminate the M36 disperser. Disperser must be decontaminated after use if it still contains enough agent for reuse.
a. Remove light contamination from the disperser and carrier by wiping three separate times with absorbent material. Use clean material for each wiping.
b. Remove heavy contamination by using the disperser and carrier with water and detergent which does not contain bleach. Rinse well.
WARNING: DO NOT USE HOUSEHOLD BLEACH BECAUSE WHEN CR AND BLEACH ARE MIXED TOGETHER, THEY FORM A HARMFUL VAPOR.
9. Turn in the disperser and carrier at the end of your mission or shift. You must turn in the disperser even if it is empty. If you have broken the seal on the actuator, report it when you return the disperser.
