Final FONSI and EA for hot cargo pad on Kirtland AFB - Kirtland Air ...

<strong>Final</strong> <strong>EA</strong> Addressing Construction, Operation, <strong>and</strong> Maintenance of a Hot Cargo Pad
Source: USAF 1996
Figure 3-9. Hot Cargo Pad Design Criteria
Risk is the probability <strong>and</strong> severity of loss from exposure to a hazard, such as the loading of weapons,
ammunition, explosives, <strong>and</strong> other hazardous <strong>cargo</strong> from various aircraft. The assessment step is the
application of quantitative or qualitative measures to determine the level of risk associated with a specific
hazard. This process defines the probability <strong>and</strong> severity of a mishap that could result from the hazard
based upon the exposure of personnel or assets to that hazard (USAF 2009).
Historical mishap databases enable the military to calculate the mishap rates <strong>for</strong> each type of aircraft.
These rates are based on the estimated flying time that an aircraft is expected to be in the airspace, the
accident rate per 100,000 flying hours <strong>for</strong> that aircraft, <strong>and</strong> the annual flying hours <strong>for</strong> that aircraft. Since
the inception of the USAF in 1947, aircraft accidents have steadily declined each year.
Because of the potentially damaging effects of explosives mishaps, separate facilities, such as a <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong>
<strong>pad</strong> (which is separate from the existing apron) are provided <strong>for</strong> explosives operations based on the type
of hazards involved (USAF 1996). Weapon systems such as guns, rockets, missiles, <strong>and</strong> flare dispensers
pose an additional hazard because of their directional response <strong>and</strong> potential long range if inadvertently
activated on the ground. Aircraft are positioned to present the minimum hazard to personnel <strong>and</strong>
resources in the event of a mishap (USAF 2009).
Per AFH 32-1084, a <strong>hot</strong> <strong>cargo</strong> <strong>pad</strong> is required at installations where explosives or other dangerous
materials must be loaded frequently on <strong>cargo</strong> aircraft <strong>and</strong> where existing aprons cannot be used without
violating QD safety criteria. The term QD refers to protection requirements from PESs to different kinds
of ESs. The QD st<strong>and</strong>ards were developed over many years <strong>and</strong> are based on explosives mishaps <strong>and</strong>
tests. As discussed in Section 2.1.2, an IB separation distance of 1,250 feet (approximately 0.24 miles) is
required <strong>for</strong> Hazard Classification 1.1 explosives. At this distance some damage could still be expected
Kirtl<strong>and</strong> AFB, NM January 2011
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