What Deviations To MIL-STD-1330 Are Allowed
MIL-STD-1330 is explicit in the written requirements. If you are cleaning components or systems in accordance with the standard and if you are certifying that your company has complied to the requirements you must do as the standard requires. Example: MIL-STD-1330D requires that final cleaning be performed using Navy Oxygen Cleaner (NOC), Tribasic Sodium Phosphate (TSP) or one of the NAVSEA approved halogenated solvents. Recently I was asked if a commercial product which is used for surface cleaning of oxygen cylinders in the home health industry would be suitable to use under MIL-STD-1330. It was an aqueous compound that was not NOC or TSP. I replied by saying probably not suitable and definitely not allowed. The Standard is very clear. If an aqueous compound is to be used it must be NOC per MIL-24800 or TSP per federal spec O-S-642. I later reviewed the surface cleaner product literature and found that the product contained 2-Butoxyethanol. This is a chemical that is in the ethylene glycol family and is an organic surfactant. You can be sure that NAVSEA would not allow its use on a navy system. There are also many solvents on the commercial market that advertize use as oxygen system cleaning agents that are not on the NAVSEA list. Some may be acceptable for cleaning specific items using a specific documented method. DO NOT assume that your application is acceptable. If it deviates from the standard assume that it is not acceptable unless you have received an approval letter.
NAVSEA has however, provided for the possibility of deviation from the Standard. Any deviation must be approved in writing. MIL-STD-1330D paragraph 6.3.1 states “ Deviation from specified materials, procedures and requirements and selection of specific alternative materials and procedures require NAVSEA approval or direction. Requests should include supporting documentation.” At present the responsible activity for MIL-STD-1330 is Naval Sea Systems Command NSWC Philadelphia Division.
