TM 5-4310-393-14
Section VII. CLEANING PROCEDURES
Paragraph
Page
4-27
General
4-36
4-28
Determining System Cleanliness
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4-29
Clean Area
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4-30
Removing and Installing System Components or Piping
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4-31
Pre-cleaning of Components or Piping
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4-32
Cleaning Method - Non-ionic Detergent
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4-33
Hydrocarbon Inspection and Analysis
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Documentation and Record Keeping
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4-27.
General.
This section covers the cleaning procedures for diving life support air systems. 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 soft goods.
4-28.
Determining System Cleanliness.
A periodic inspection of the air system will verify system cleanliness. If a system is suspected of contamination samples
may be taken to determine the level of system cleanliness.
4-29.
Clean Area.
All cleaning of life support air systems to be performed on components and piping shall be cleaned in a "clean area." This
is an area 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 or Formica. Floor shall be non-dusting Walls and ceiling shall be covered with washable vinyl, latex paint,
or polyurethane-based paint.
4-30.
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 component or pipe, the appropriate maintenance forms are to be completed and approved.
4-30.1.
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 up and down stream of the component being
removed. The system shall be tagged to ensure that the system will not be pressurized.
2.
Removal of all debris such as dust, dirt, loose paint, and grease. This includes cleaning the component
being removed as well as any adjacent components which may cause contamination.
3.
Wipe all external surfaces of component 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.
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