PC-X/B/WP.1

Preparatory Commission for the	PC-X/B/WP.1
Organisation for the Prohibition	12 December 1994
of Chemical Weapons	Original: ENGLISH

Tenth Session

(3 - 7 April 1995)

EXPERT GROUP ON INSPECTION PROCEDURES

SIXTH REPORT

1. Introduction

1.1 In accordance with the Plan of Activities for Expert Groups under Working Group B approved by the Commission at its Ninth Session and contained in Annex 2 to the Report of the Commission (PC-IX/11), the Expert Group on Inspection Procedures met in The Hague on 12 December 1994 to continue its work.

1.2 Mr. Sergei Kisselev of the Russian Federation served as Chairman of the Group. He was assisted by Dr. Henk Boter of the Netherlands, who acted as Friend of the Chair on inspection equipment issues.

1.3 The Group was presented with the report of the Specialist Task Force on Inspection Equipment Issues, dated 27 October 1994. Copies of this report are available from the Secretariat on request.

2. Sample collection kit for munitions

2.1 The Group took note of the report mentioned in subparagraph 1.3 above. It adopted the additional specific operational requirements and the technical specifications for the sample collection kit for munitions listed in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Annex 1 to the Task Force report, as amended by the Expert Group (Annex to this Report).

2.2 In taking note of paragraph 4 of the Task Force report, the Group agreed that the use of the sample collection kit for munitions, when possible, in different types of inspections will not lead to different technical specifications. The Group agreed to return to the issue of the operational use of the sample collection kit for munitions, when discussing the agenda item "indicating the specific types of equipment for the particular types of inspections".

2.3 The Group recognised that it has not considered some operational implications of using the sample collection kit for munitions, inter alia, training requirements for operators, rendering the munitions explosively safe, treatment and disposal of contaminated parts and waste, and handling of explosive components. The Group agreed that these issues should be addressed.

3. Recommendations

The Group recommended that Working Group B:

(a) request the Commission to adopt the additional specific operational requirements for the sample collection kit for munitions (paragraph 1 of the Annex to this Report);

(b) note the technical specifications for the sample collection kit for munitions (paragraph 2 of the Annex to this Report);

(c) request an appropriate Expert Group or Groups to consider the operational implications of the use of the sample collection kit for munitions (to be discussed when any proposals have been made by Member States); and

(d) draw the attention of Working Group A to the issue of any financial implications of the use of inspection equipment.

ANNEX

Additional Specific Operational Requirements and Technical Specifications

for a Sample Collection Kit for Munitions

1. Additional specific operational requirements

The following additional specific operational requirements for a sample collection kit for munitions should be added to paragraph 6 and subparagraph 6.1 of Appendix 2 to PC-VII/B/WP.5.

The equipment must:

(a) provide for a safe subsequent storage of the sampled item in case it is not promptly destroyed;

(b) allow for hermetic sealing of the sample collection area during opening of the munition with safe release or containment of the fill including in the case of excess pressure;

(d) be portable;

(e) be applicable for various types of chemical munitions having different wall thicknesses;

(f) have an opening device capable of remote operation;

(g) be designed for ease of cleaning/decontamination and confidentiality purposes;and

(h) have a limit of opening depth capable of being preset.

2. Technical specifications

(a) The kit must contain means for sealing the sampled item so that there is no consequent loss of structural integrity. It is desirable that the sealing system should remain intact for a period of not less than 15 years.

(b) The opening device must operate through a sealing system to prevent release to the atmosphere of munition contents and must leave provision for taking samples. The device must be capable of withstanding an internal over-pressure of up to 0.5 MPa.

(c) The environmental protection chamber must be capable of enclosing the whole munition or the area of operation on a munition, with provision to vent to the atmosphere through absorption media. The maximum volume should be approximately 1 m3 with a target weight of 5 kg. Surfaces should be chemically resistant. Provision must be made for essential operations to be carried out in the chamber using glove ports and chemically resistant fittings. This item must include a pressure test to prove integrity of sealing before use.

(d) The mass of each module of the kit should not exceed 50 kg (portable by two persons).

(e) The kit must be capable of opening munitions made of various materials or combinations of these materials with wall thicknesses from 1 mm to 25 mm and must have a limit of opening depth capable of being preset in increments not greater than 1 mm. The diameter of the hole to be opened must be compatible with the sampling equipment.

(f) The opening device must be capable of being operated from a distance of at least 300 m.

(g) It is desirable that the kit should be capable of being dismantled, within 1 hour by 1 person wearing full protective gear, for the purposes of decontamination and cleaning.

(h) Sampling means must be provided. For the sampling of liquids it must be capable of taking samples in the range of 0.9 to 1.9 g/cm3 for absolute density and 1.0 to 1000 cP for viscosity.

(i) For liquid agents sampling means must allow for taking at least 10 samples in the range of 10 mg to 100 mg each.

(j) It is desirable that the preparatory stage and sampling from a single munition should not take more than 1 hour and that the time span for sampling should not exceed 30 minutes.

(k) The kit must allow for the sampling of at least 3 munitions during a single inspection.

(l) The kit must be operable with 50-60 Hz, 100/240 (+/- 10%) VAC line with step voltage capability. The upper power requirement limit should be 1.5 kW.

(m) The kit must be supplied in carrying/transportation cases fitted out to hold the component parts. The cases shall be fabricated in aluminium with an airtight lid, lock and with carrying handles at each end. The target weight should be approximately 5 kg.

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