TM 5-4220-233-14
Section VII. UNIT LEVEL CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR DIVING LIFE SUPPORT AIR
SYSTEMS
Paragraph
Page
4-65
General.................................................................................
4-105
4-66
Determining System Cleanliness...........................................
4-105
4-67
Clean Area ...........................................................................
4-105
4-68
Removing and Installing System Components or Piping .......
4-105
4-69
PreCleaning of Components or Piping ..................................
4-106
4-70
Cleaning Method - Non-Ionic Detergent ................................
4-106
4-71
Cleaning Method - Trisodium Phosphate (TSP).....................
4-107
4-72
Cleaning Component Soft Goods..........................................
4-109
4-73
Hydrocarbon Inspection and Analysis....................................
4-111
4-74
Documentation and Record Keeping ....................................
4-111
4-65. GENERAL.
The importance of maintaining a diver's air breathing system In a clean and operable condition cannot be over
emphasized. This procedure provides basic steps and methods for removing and installing components and
piping, and provides the simplified methods for cleaning small components, pipes and hoses for air systems,
and methods for cleaning component soft goods.
4-66. DETERMINING SYSTEM CLEANLINESS.
A periodic inspection of the air system will verify system cleanliness. If a system is suspected of
contamination, a hydrocarbon analysis and a particulate sample may be taken, or a gas sample may be drawn
to determine the level of system cleanliness. These samples can be coordinated through the U.S. Army
Aviation and Troop Command, ATTN: AMSAT-I-M, 4300 Goodfellow Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63120-1798.
4-67. CLEAN AREA.
All cleaning for life support air systems to be performed on components and piping shall be cleaned In a
"cleaned area.” This area shall be isolated from oil, grease, paper, lint particles and other airborne
contaminates. It shall be as free as possible of dust and debris. Work benches shall be covered with easily
cleaned surfaces such as stainless steel, synthetic rubber, vinyl linoleum Formica. Floor shall be non-dusting
Walls and ceiling shall be covered with washable vinyl, latex paint or polyurethane-based paint.
4-68. REMOVING AND INSTALLING SYSTEM COMPONENTS OR PIPING .
The following steps are guidelines for the removal and Installation of piping or components from or into a clean
system. In general, common sense and clean work habits must prevail at all times to maintain system
cleanliness. Prior to the removal of any pipe or component, appropriate maintenance forms are to be
completed and approved.
a. Removal. Extreme care shall be used in the removal of any component or pipe from a clean system
to avoid introducing any contamination. To eliminate any chance of contamination, the following
steps shall be adhered to:
(1) Secure the system by closing valves and controls both upstream and downstream of the
component or pipe to be removed. The components shall be tagged to insure that gas is not
brought on line.
(2) Removal of all debris from the intended area of assembly or disassembly such as dirt, dust,
loose paint, and grease is mandatory. This includes cleaning the pipe or component which is
to be removed and the adjacent components or piping.
(3) Wipe all of the external surfaces of components and piping with detergent or alcohol solvent
to remove grease or dirt.
(4) All personnel shall have clean hands.
(5) All tools used in the removal must be clean and grease-free.
(6) Remove component or piping.
(7) Immediately bag or seal all exposed ends of system with plastic
4-105
