EVALUATION OF THE GUN FUME HAZARD IN THE LVT A-1,
Abstract
An investigation was made to determine the extent of the hazard from gun fumes released by firing the 37 mm and turret .30 cal. machine gun in the LVT A-1. The highest concentrations of carbon monoxide were found in the turret. Considerably lower concentrations were measured in the hull and still lower in the driving compartment. No dangerous concentrations were found in either the hull or driving compartment during firing of the turret pieces. Under almost every condition of test the machine gun produced higher concentrations of carbon monoxide in the turret than did the 37 mm gun. With the standard conditions of 37 mm gun fire (engine idling, hatches closed) an average carbon monoxide concentration of 0.044% was produced at the loader's position. This is just within the limit of 0.05%, tolerable for one half hour. Under the same conditions, a concentration of 0.128% was present during firing of the machine gun. This is considerably in excess of the tolerable limit. The additional ventilation provided by a simple exhaust fan in the turret reduced the carbon monoxide concentrations to levels only 1/10 as high as found without the fan. The average concentrations were less than 0.01% during firing of both the machine gun and 37 mm gun. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1944
- Accession Number
- AD0659211
Entities
People
- Glasselle S. Lawson
- Norton Nelson
- Robert H. Walpole
- T. E. Swigert
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory