AMMO 49 (UPDATED)
AMMUNITION &
EXPLOSIVES EXAM
Q: What is the primary responsibility of an Explosives Safety Officer (ESO)?
A: To implement and manage the command’s explosives safety program.
Rationale: ESOs coordinate safety, training, inspections, and compliance with directives.
Q: Which manual is the primary source for ammunition and explosives safety ashore?
A: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol. 1.
Rationale: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol.1 provides ashore A&E safety standards and procedures.
Q: What does OPNAVINST 8023.24 cover?
A: Personnel qualification and certification for ammunition & explosives handling.
Rationale: OPNAVINST 8023.24 sets training/qualification standards for handling A&E.
Q: Which symbol indicates the greatest explosive hazard (fire symbol category)?
A: A fire/explosive octagon or the Division/Compatibility group markings per NAVSEA.
Rationale: NAVSEA specifies labeling and hazard symbols for magazines and materials.
Q: Who approves explosives safety site approvals (ESAR) for Navy ashore sites?
A: The designated approving authority per NOSSA/NAVSEA policy (usually NOSSA or delegated
authority).
Rationale: NOSSA handles safety reviews and site approval oversight.
Q: What is an ESAR?
A: Explosives Safety Site Approval Request (ESAR).
Rationale: ESAR documents request formal approval to site/store A&E.
Q: When must a command report an A&E mishap?
A: Immediately through the prescribed reporting channels and notify higher authorities.
Rationale: Timely reporting meets investigation and safety requirements.
Q: What is a “fire bill”?
A: A posted set of procedures to follow in the event of fire at an A&E facility.
Rationale: Fire bills provide step-by-step emergency actions for personnel.
Q: Who is authorized to sign training certifications for A&E handlers?
A: The certifying official designated in the command’s qualification program.
Rationale: OPNAVINST requires an authorized certifier for qualifications.
Q: Which document lists quantity-distance (QD) measures and stowage criteria?
A: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol.1 (and associated NAVSEA/DoD explosives safety guidance).
, Rationale: NAVSEA OP-5 contains QD requirements and stowage rules.
Q: Define “inert” ammunition in A&E safety context.
A: A round or item rendered incapable of functioning (no propellant or explosive filler) and identified
per procedure.
Rationale: Inert items must be clearly marked and controlled to prevent confusion.
Q: How is inerted ammunition usually identified if original markings remain?
A: Marked/segregated per ESO procedures and recorded in certification records.
Rationale: Identification and traceability prevent misclassification.
Q: What is an exemption (in explosives safety terms)?
A: A long-term deviation from standard criteria granted when facilities cannot meet criteria but
accept compensatory measures.
Rationale: Exemptions allow operations with restrictions and oversight.
Q: Which is a short-term deviation type?
A: A temporary variance addressing immediate needs with time limits and controls.
Rationale: Short-term deviations are for temporary, controlled departures from standards.
Q: Who conducts Explosives Safety Inspections (ESI) for Navy units?
A: NOSSA or delegated explosives safety inspectors and command ESO staff.
Rationale: NOSSA provides oversight; commands do internal inspections.
Q: What is the purpose of a “fire plan” for a magazine?
A: To outline firefighting actions, isolation, and notification measures specific to magazine hazards.
Rationale: Fire plans tailor responses to explosive risks.
Q: Which personnel must complete A&E qualification before handling explosives?
A: All personnel assigned to tasks involving direct handling, movement, or supervision of A&E.
Rationale: Qualification ensures safety and competency per OPNAVINST.
Q: What is the role of the ESO in training?
A: To develop, maintain, and validate required explosives safety training and quals.
Rationale: ESOs ensure personnel are trained and records maintained.
Q: For safe storage, what must be posted at the magazine?
A: Explosive limit signs, hazard class/division, and MCE/limits as required.
Rationale: Signage communicates authorized contents and limits.
Q: What is MCE (Maximum Credible Event)?
A: A planning explosion or event used to determine protective and QD requirements.
Rationale: MCE defines design basis for protective construction and distances.
Q: What is the first action when discovering a suspect or damaged munition?
A: Stop, isolate the area, and notify the ESO or EOD per local procedure.
Rationale: Isolation prevents further hazard until specialists evaluate.
Q: How often should magazines be inspected?
A: Per NAVSEA/command policy — initially before use and periodically (daily/weekly/annual as
specified).
Rationale: Inspections detect hazards, unauthorized items, or maintenance needs.
Q: What is a “compatibility group” in explosives classification?
A: A letter code that indicates which types of explosives can be stored together.
Rationale: Compatibility groups prevent mixing incompatible explosives that could worsen an
incident.
AMMUNITION &
EXPLOSIVES EXAM
Q: What is the primary responsibility of an Explosives Safety Officer (ESO)?
A: To implement and manage the command’s explosives safety program.
Rationale: ESOs coordinate safety, training, inspections, and compliance with directives.
Q: Which manual is the primary source for ammunition and explosives safety ashore?
A: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol. 1.
Rationale: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol.1 provides ashore A&E safety standards and procedures.
Q: What does OPNAVINST 8023.24 cover?
A: Personnel qualification and certification for ammunition & explosives handling.
Rationale: OPNAVINST 8023.24 sets training/qualification standards for handling A&E.
Q: Which symbol indicates the greatest explosive hazard (fire symbol category)?
A: A fire/explosive octagon or the Division/Compatibility group markings per NAVSEA.
Rationale: NAVSEA specifies labeling and hazard symbols for magazines and materials.
Q: Who approves explosives safety site approvals (ESAR) for Navy ashore sites?
A: The designated approving authority per NOSSA/NAVSEA policy (usually NOSSA or delegated
authority).
Rationale: NOSSA handles safety reviews and site approval oversight.
Q: What is an ESAR?
A: Explosives Safety Site Approval Request (ESAR).
Rationale: ESAR documents request formal approval to site/store A&E.
Q: When must a command report an A&E mishap?
A: Immediately through the prescribed reporting channels and notify higher authorities.
Rationale: Timely reporting meets investigation and safety requirements.
Q: What is a “fire bill”?
A: A posted set of procedures to follow in the event of fire at an A&E facility.
Rationale: Fire bills provide step-by-step emergency actions for personnel.
Q: Who is authorized to sign training certifications for A&E handlers?
A: The certifying official designated in the command’s qualification program.
Rationale: OPNAVINST requires an authorized certifier for qualifications.
Q: Which document lists quantity-distance (QD) measures and stowage criteria?
A: NAVSEA OP-5 Vol.1 (and associated NAVSEA/DoD explosives safety guidance).
, Rationale: NAVSEA OP-5 contains QD requirements and stowage rules.
Q: Define “inert” ammunition in A&E safety context.
A: A round or item rendered incapable of functioning (no propellant or explosive filler) and identified
per procedure.
Rationale: Inert items must be clearly marked and controlled to prevent confusion.
Q: How is inerted ammunition usually identified if original markings remain?
A: Marked/segregated per ESO procedures and recorded in certification records.
Rationale: Identification and traceability prevent misclassification.
Q: What is an exemption (in explosives safety terms)?
A: A long-term deviation from standard criteria granted when facilities cannot meet criteria but
accept compensatory measures.
Rationale: Exemptions allow operations with restrictions and oversight.
Q: Which is a short-term deviation type?
A: A temporary variance addressing immediate needs with time limits and controls.
Rationale: Short-term deviations are for temporary, controlled departures from standards.
Q: Who conducts Explosives Safety Inspections (ESI) for Navy units?
A: NOSSA or delegated explosives safety inspectors and command ESO staff.
Rationale: NOSSA provides oversight; commands do internal inspections.
Q: What is the purpose of a “fire plan” for a magazine?
A: To outline firefighting actions, isolation, and notification measures specific to magazine hazards.
Rationale: Fire plans tailor responses to explosive risks.
Q: Which personnel must complete A&E qualification before handling explosives?
A: All personnel assigned to tasks involving direct handling, movement, or supervision of A&E.
Rationale: Qualification ensures safety and competency per OPNAVINST.
Q: What is the role of the ESO in training?
A: To develop, maintain, and validate required explosives safety training and quals.
Rationale: ESOs ensure personnel are trained and records maintained.
Q: For safe storage, what must be posted at the magazine?
A: Explosive limit signs, hazard class/division, and MCE/limits as required.
Rationale: Signage communicates authorized contents and limits.
Q: What is MCE (Maximum Credible Event)?
A: A planning explosion or event used to determine protective and QD requirements.
Rationale: MCE defines design basis for protective construction and distances.
Q: What is the first action when discovering a suspect or damaged munition?
A: Stop, isolate the area, and notify the ESO or EOD per local procedure.
Rationale: Isolation prevents further hazard until specialists evaluate.
Q: How often should magazines be inspected?
A: Per NAVSEA/command policy — initially before use and periodically (daily/weekly/annual as
specified).
Rationale: Inspections detect hazards, unauthorized items, or maintenance needs.
Q: What is a “compatibility group” in explosives classification?
A: A letter code that indicates which types of explosives can be stored together.
Rationale: Compatibility groups prevent mixing incompatible explosives that could worsen an
incident.
