1. Handling. Because the additions of even small acounts of moisture or water to the HC smoke mixtures in floating smoke bombs can cause spontaneous ignition of the smoke mixture, the watertight integrity of these bombs must be preserved. Therefore, smoke bombs should be handled with care during shipment and they should not be dropped, skidded, or rolled. Although the smoke mixture in the bombs M77 will not ignite from the effects of moisture or water, clusters of these bombs should also be handled with care to maintain the integrity of the clusters.

Figure 12 - Foreground: typical smoke emmission of Floating Smoke Bomb
Mark 3 Mod 0 five minutes after initiation

2. Stowage Ashore and Afloat. HC smoke bombs should be stowed on shipboard during shipment in a tight cargo hold equipped with facilities for flooding, and they should not be overstowed with other cargo. Stowage in a hold in which no other ammunition or cargo is stowed is preferable. HC smoke bombs should be stowed aboard warships and ashore in magazines containing other HC smoke munitions only, such as HC smoke bombs, pots, floats or grenades. Stowage HC smoke bombs aboard warships should be above the waterline near the stern, with provisions made so that the smoke bombs may be readily jettisoned. HC smoke bombs must be protected from sea spray and high temperature (above 100 degrees F). If a smoke bomb ignites accidentally, the principle danger is from spreading of the fire to adjacent crates and subsequent ignition of these bombs. Water in large volume should be used in fighting HC smoke fires. Foamite and carbon dioxide extinguishers or fog nozzles are much less effective than water as HC smoke mix does not require atmospheric oxygen for its combustion.

3. Special Precatuions. HC smoke has toxic effect on unmasked personnel subjected to strong concentrations and some toxid effect is noticed from long exposure to light concentrations. Gas masks should be adjusted when HC smoke is released in enclosed places, and also when personnel asr subjected to prolonged exposures, however light.

Figure 13 - Frontal screen (onshore wind conditions) from floating Smoke Bombs Mark 1 Mod 2 over 1,000 yards of beach.