Packaging: Managing COSIS ESDS Items

BLUF: Managing Care of Supplies in Storage Priority Group 2 (ESDS) items correctly protects them from harm and increases readiness.

Screen Capture of Video by Greg Wilson

This is the third article in the series on Care of Supplies in Storage (COSIS) Priority Group (CPG) items.

CPG 2 or Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) items are electronic items that are susceptible to damage or degradation due to electric discharge. Examples of ESDS items include motherboards, circuit cards and radio amplifiers. These types of high-value items are packaged and preserved under the specialized preservation code GX or method of preservation (MOP) 41, in accordance with MIL-STD-2073, Standard Practice for Military Packaging (Apr 19).

MOP 41 or GX unit pack label

Only trained personnel should handle unprotected ESDS items and open the barrier only when the item is ready to be used. ESDS items are preserved, wrapped, cushioned and enclosed in tight-fitting bags and you must strictly follow the requirements for preservation and packaging outlined in MIL-STD-2073 or the item could be catastrophically damaged.

Managing ESDS Items

Here's how to successfully manage ESDS items:

Run your unit’s Inventory Location Report to identify all ESDS items. Look for items with MOP 41 or GX on the unit label or the ESDS barrier. You can also identify ESDS items by the required MIL-STD-129, Military Marking for Shipment label.

ESDS special marking

2. Inspect the ESDS items for:

Any damage to or discrepancies with the protective unit container.
Damage to the barrier bag, such as holes or any opening that allows moisture or air in. The barrier bag prevents invisible electrostatic damage which can disable or lower the performance of an item. Keep in mind that the protective unit container and ESDS protection are used together to protect the item while in storage.

Physical protection

ESD protection

Physical and ESDS protection

3. Heed the following advice to ensure proper storing and handling, which in turn leads to proper ESDS management:

Always store ESDS items by their Item Type Storage Code (ITSC). These codes are found in DoDM 4100.39, Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) Procedures Manual Volume 10, Multiple Application References/Instructions/Table and Grids and they are referred to as Type of Storage (TOS) in accordance with AR 708-1, Logistics Management Data and Cataloging Procedures for Army Supplies and Equipment and DA Pam 708-2, Cataloguing and Supply Data Management Procedures for the Army Enterprise Materiel Master, Table 3-17.
Handle the item with care and avoid damage to the original packaging.
Never remove the physical protection, which is usually a fiberboard box called a fastpack, from the item until you’re ready to use or install the item. Once you unpack the item, keep the box and bag to ship the component being replaced. Sometimes ESDS items are reparable, and the box and bag will protect the item during shipping.
Only open the item at a properly grounded ESDS workstation, ESDS field kit or other ESD-protected area. Be aware that hot, dry, dusty air increases static.

4. When performing COSIS inspections on ESDS items, remember the barrier bag is the ultimate protection.

ESDS barrier bag

That’s why you should:

Never open an ESDS bag for inspection. Only open the bag when you’re ready to use or install the item because opening the packaging will compromise the barrier bag’s protection.
Carefully inspect the bag and if it’s compromised, downgrade the item’s condition code to F, meaning the item is unserviceable but reparable. ESDS items with compromised packaging require testing before use.

Additional COSIS guidance is available in TM 38-8145-709, COSIS for Army Materiel (Jan 20). Download a copy HERE.

Questions? Fill out the ASC Packaging, Storage and Containerization Center (PSCC) form on their website:

https://www.pscc.army.mil/About-Us/Contact-Us/

Or send an email to:

usarmy.tyad.usamc.mbx.pt@army.mil

For a related article on the dangers of ESD, click HERE.