4. By blanket purchase agreements (BPAs)
negotiated by ashore activities. This type of purchase
is most commonly used.
Details concerning purchases by ashore activities
are provided in NAVSUP P-467.
Imprest Funds
The imprest fund is a simple and economic method
of making purchases. It is both a petty cash and a
revolving type of fund. The fund is reduced as
purchases are made. A reimbursement voucher must be
prepared at some point in time. The ship’s OPTAR is
charged for the amount of the reimbursement voucher,
and the money is returned to the imprest fund. Most
shipboard activities discourage the use of imprest funds.
STOWAGE
The supply petty officer is responsible for stowing
materials properly and for protecting them from damage
and deterioration while in stowage.
Photographic materials in both shipboard and shore
storerooms should be arranged to do the following:
1. Ensure maximum use of available space.
2. Provide orderly stowage and ready accessibility.
3. Prevent damage to the ship, facility, or injury
to personnel.
4. Reduce the possibility of material loss or
damage.
5. Facilitate issues and inventories.
STOREROOM LAYOUT
Space permitting, you should adhere to the
following guidelines when stowing supplies and
equipment:
1. Locate heavy bulk materials in areas most
convenient to hatches, doors, and material-handling
equipment. This minimizes the physical effort required
for loading, stowage, and breakouts.
2. Locate light bulky material in storerooms with
high overhead clearances for maximum use of available
space.
3. Segregate materials that are dissimilar in type or
classification, such as hazardous and nonhazardous,
classified and unclassified, and large and small
materials.
4. Locate materials that are issued frequently as
close as possible to the point of issue.
5. Locate shelf-life items (film, paper, and so on)
in a readily accessible area to facilitate periodic
screening.
6. Provide for aisles at least 30 inches wide
between bins, racks, or cabinets.
7. Arrange materials so identification labels are
facing outward to facilitate issues and inventory.
8. Avoid multiple locations for the same item.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
Hazardous material includes all types of
compressed gases, acids, paints, and materials that
present a considerable fire hazard or are otherwise
dangerous. Except as indicated below, these materials
must be stowed in paint and flammable liquid
storerooms.
Compressed Gases
Compressed gases must be stowed on the weather
deck or outdoors and fastened securely in a vertical
position. Cylinder valves should be protected from
accumulations of ice and snow, and the cylinders should
be screened from direct rays of the sun.
Acid
Liquid acid, unless classified as a safe material,
should be stowed in lead-lined boxes.
SECURITY
Storerooms should be locked when not in use.
Ordinarily, only the supply petty officers in charge of a
storeroom and authorized assistants have access to the
storeroom, and one of them must be present when the
storeroom is open. Other persons may be admitted
when necessary during receipt or issue of stores.
Access must be given to damage control and fire
department personnel in the performance of their duties.
Storerooms must be secured so ordinary damage control
and emergency equipment can clear the entranceway.
STOCK CONTROL
The primary function of stock control is to ensure
that materials are available in the proper amount, at the
proper place, and at the proper time. To accomplish
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