Back to basics.

ANOTHER ICY WINTER COMES HOWLING DOWN FROM THE NORTH. HUDDLED IN TENTS, YOUR UNIT DEPENDS ON THE FAMILY OF SPACE HEATERS (FOSH) FOR WARMTH.

QUESTION IS: CAN THE FOSH DEPEND ON YOU TO KEEP THEM WORKING SAFELY?

SOME COMMON ISSUES FACED BY FOSH OPERATORS CAN BE FOUND ON THE NEXT TWO PAGES.

THEY COVER THE VERY BASICS OF FOSH OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.

FOR THE WHOLE STORY, READ THE TMS.

Choosing a Heater

H-45 space heater

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Arctic space heater

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Small space heater

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Convective space heater

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The general purpose and TEMPER tents are expandable. They may need more than one H-45 or convective space heater.

Quick Disconnects

Brush off snow and ice. They block fuel flow.

Clean off dirt, sand and debris. They can cut o-rings, causing fuel leaks.

Fuel Hoses

Inspect for drying, cracks, cuts, wear and Leaks. Replace if necessary.

Fuel

Use only the approved fuels listed in your TM. Never use gasoline, JP-4 or a mixture of fuels. They can cause a fire or an explosion.

Fuel Can Stand

Untangle the tripod stabilizer straps. Fully extend the tripod legs.

Tighten the hook-and-pile straps to hold the fuel can to the stand.

Fuel Spills

Use petroleum absorbent mat, NSN 7930-01-363-8631, to absorb fuel spills.

Run the end of the fuel overflow hose outside the tent and onto the mat.

Lid (Arctic and H-45 heaters only)

Close the lid when the heater's operating. The heater doesn't work efficiently when the lid's open. It gives off less heat. An open lid can also let flames exit the heater.

Prevent Fires/Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (Arctic, H-45 and small heaters only)

Put on the stack cap.

* Tie the guy lines from the cap to stakes in the ground.

* Never re-light a hot heater. Wait until it cools. Re-lighting a hot heater could cause a fire or explosion.

* Before burning liquid fuel in the arctic space heater, install the burner cover in the door frame and latch the front door. That helps the heater work efficiently to produce more heat. It also keeps flames from exiting the heater.

Overfiring (Arctic and H-45 heaters only)

To prevent overfiring, adjust the fuel flow control valve: Set the fuel selector control for outside temperature and type of fuel. Adjust the fuel flow adjustment knob to regulate the amount of fuel to the burner. Also, use all the pipes that come with the exhaust stack so that the heater draws enough air.

When you're not using the heater, store the fuel flow control valve in a plastic bag to protect the fuel fitting. Store it with the ON/OFF control in the ON position. That keeps the needle inside the valve from sticking closed.

   Heater            NSN 4520-01-                 TM

                       354-1191           TM 9-4520-257-12&P
H-45            (Type I, solid fuel)/
space heater           329-3451
                (Type II, liquid fuel)
Arctic                 444-2375           TM 10-4520-261-12&P
space heater
Small                  479-9207           TM 10-4520-263-12&P
space heater
Convective             431-8927           TM 10-4520-262-12&P
space heater

   Heater         Tent size and type

                General purpose
H-45            and TEMPER tents
space heater    and modular command
                post shelter
Arctic          5-man and 10-man
space heater    arctic tents
Small           4-man soldier/crew
space heater    tent
Convective      General purpose
space heater    and TEMPER tents
                and modular command
                post shelter