Military

I-1. Criteria used to assign munitions to the appropriate SCG (i.e., A-D, F-H, J-L, N, or S) are given below. Descriptions include examples of the types of munitions within each group.

I-2. Group A consists of bulk initiating explosives with sufficient sensitivity to heat, friction, or percussion to qualify them for use as initiating elements in an explosive train. Examples of initiating explosives are wet lead azide, wet lead styphnate, wet mercury fulminate, wet tetacene, and dry RDX and PETN.

I-3. Group B consists of detonators and similar initiating devices not containing two or more independent safety features. Examples include detonators, blasting caps, small arms primers, and fuzes.

I-4. Group C consists of bulk propellants, propelling charges, and devices containing propellant with or without means of ignition. Upon initiation, these items will deflagrate, explode, or detonate. They include single-, double-, and triple-base and composite propellants; rocket motors (solid propellants); and ammunition with inert projectiles.

I-5. Group D includes black powder, HE, and ammunition containing HE without its own means of initiation and without propelling charge, or a device containing an initiating explosive and containing two or more independent safety features. Munitions in this category can be expected to explode or detonate when any item or component is initiated except for devices containing initiating explosives with independent safety features. Examples include bulk TNT, Comp B, black powder, and wet RDX or PETN, bombs, projectiles, CBUs, depth charges, and torpedo warheads. Black powder saluting charges, torpedo warheads, and fuzes with two or more safing features are also part of this group.

I-6. Group E consists of ammunition containing HE without its own means of initiating and with propelling charge. Examples include artillery ammunition, rockets, or guided missiles.

I-7. Group F consists of ammunition containing HE with its own means of initiation and with or without propelling charge. Examples are grenades, sounding devices, and similar items having an inline explosive train in the initiator.

I-8. Group G consists of fireworks; illuminating, incendiary, or smoke munitions (including HC); or tear-producing, incendiary smoke (including JIC), or sound effects. This category does not include munitions that are water-actuated or that contain white phosphorus or flammable liquid or gel. Examples of Group G munitions are flares, signals, incendiary or illuminating ammunition, and other smoke- or tear-producing devices.

I-9. Group H munitions contain fillers that are spontaneously flammable when exposed to the atmosphere. These include white phosphorus, plasticized white phosphorus, or other pyrophoric material.

I-10. Group J munitions contain both explosives and flammable liquids or gels other than those that are spontaneously flammable when exposed to water or the atmosphere. Examples include liquid- or gel-filled incendiary ammunition, FAE devices, flammable liquid-fueled missiles, and torpedoes.

I-11. Group K munitions contain both explosives and toxic chemical agents. Items in this category contain chemicals specifically designed for incapacitating effects more severe than lachrymation (i.e., excessive secretion of tears). They include artillery or mortar ammunition, fuzed or unfuzed; and grenades, rockets, or bombs filled with lethal or incapacitating chemical agents.

I-12. Group L is comprised of munitions not included in other compatibility groups. Types presenting similar hazards may be stored together but not mixed with other groups. Examples include water-activated devices, prepackaged liquid-fueled rocket engines, FAE, TEA, and damaged or suspect munitions of any group.

I-13. Group N consists of munitions containing only EIDs. Examples are bombs and warheads.

I-14. Group S contains munitions that present no specific hazards. Included in this category is ammunition designed or packed to confine or contain any explosive effect to the item or package. If the package has been degraded by fire, all blasts will be limited to the extent that they do not significantly hinder firefighting. An incident may destroy all items in a single pack but must not be communicated to other packs so that all are destroyed. Examples of Group S munitions are thermal batteries, explosive switches or valves, and other items packaged to meet group criteria.

I-15. A munitions item with its "own means of initiation" is one that has a normal initiating device assembled to it. This configuration presents a significant risk during storage because detonation can occur during accidental functioning of the device. However, the term does not apply when the initiating device is packaged in such a way as to eliminate the risk of detonation or when fuzed end items are configured and packaged to prevent arming. If safety features are in place to prevent initiation or detonation of the explosive filler, the initiating device may be assembled to munitions.

I-16. Table I-1 demonstrates how different SCGs can be mixed in storage. Groups that are intersected by an "X" (e.g., A-A, B-B, B-S, C-S, etc.) may be combined in storage. Groups intersected by a "Z" may be approved by the MACOM for mixed storage of limited quantities. Approval constitutes a waiver and may be granted only when warranted by operational considerations or magazine nonavailability and when safety is not sacrificed. DA determines which items within Group K may be stored together and which must be stored separately. Group K requires not only separate storage from other groups but may also require separate storage within the group. Exceptions to the table are discussed in this section.

I-17. When evaluating storage compatibility criteria, consider the following points, if relevant:

• Compliance with compatibility criteria is not required for mission essential or operationally necessary quantities of explosives in HC/D 1.4 or 6.1 (excluding toxic chemical munitions); up to 100 pounds NEW HC/D 1.3; and up to 50 pounds NEW HC/D (04)1.2. See DA Pam 385-64 for Q-D requirements.
• Equal numbers of separately packaged components of complete rounds of any single type of ammunition may be stored together. When so stored, compatibility is that of the assembled round (i.e., WP filler in Group H, HE filler in Groups D, E, or F as appropriate.
• Munitions that do not contain explosives but do contain substances properly belonging to another U.N.HC/D may be assigned to the same compatibility group as items containing explosives and the same substances. They may also be stored with them.
• DA may authorize munitions items designated "Practice" by NSN and nomenclature to be stored with the fully loaded munitions they simulate.
• The MACOM may authorize the mixing of compatibility groups (except items in Groups A, K, and L) in quantities not exceeding 1,000 pounds NEW per storage site.
• For purposes of mixing, all items must be packaged in approved storage containers. Items must not be unpackaged at the storage location.
• Groups B and F munitions will be segregated in storage from articles of other groups by means that effectively prevent propagation.
• If dissimilar HC/D 1.6, SCG N munitions (such as MK 82 and MK 84 bombs) are mixed together and have not been tested to assure nonpropagation, the mixed munitions are considered to be HC/D 1.2, SCG D for purposes of transportation and storage. See DA Pam 385-64 about changing Q-D class/divisions when mixing SCG N munitions with SCG B through G.

I-18. Certain locations are authorized to store munitions without regard to compatibility. These include the following:

• Areas within the US, its territories and possessions designated by the Army and with site approval from the DDESB to store munitions in rapid response configurations.
• Basic load ammunition holding areas outside the US.

The maximum NEQ at any of these locations storing munitions in mixed compatibility must not exceed 4,000 kg (8,820 pounds NEW) calculated IAW DA Pam 385-64.