TM 10-8340-222-10 (5) Pack   tent   carefully   for   shipment.      Some tents   are   issued   complete   with   bag   or   cover.      In   this case, carry tent in bag or cover.  When no bag or cover is    issued,    the    tent    is    usually    received    wrapped    in osnaburg  or  burlap.    Save  this  material  for  rewrapping when  the  tent  has  to  be  moved  again.    Normally,  tent should  never  be  transported  without  a  covering  of  some kind. (6) Pack  pins  and  poles  separately  from  the tent  itself  except  when  tent  instructions  require  them  to be packed with the tent. (7) Inspect   tentage   at   frequent   intervals   to make  sure  that  it  is  in  serviceable  condition.    Particular attention  should  be  given  to  seams,  bindings,  lines,  and all  places  where  strain  is  exerted.    Be  constantly  on  the lookout for (a) Any evidence of mildew. (b) Any  foreign  matter  which  may  have collected on the tent. (c) Small   rips   and   holes,   splitting   of seams, grommets which have become loose, lines which are  beginning  to  rot,  or  anything  else  which  does  not appear to be in normal condition. b. Protection Against Rain. (1) All   tents   are   water   repellent.      However, rain    causes    tent    canvas    and    lines    to    shrink,    the shrinkage   often   becoming   sufficient   to   tear   the   tent. Tents   have   been   torn   completely   in   two   under   such circumstances. (2) Before   tent   lines   become   water   soaked, they  should  be  loosened  sufficiently  so  that  when  they shrink they will not become tight enough to tear the tent. To   compensate   for   shrinkage,   eave   and   corner   lines should  have  a  free  swing  of  approximately  18  inches  at the middle of the line. c. Protection  Against  Wind.    In  a  strong  wind,  all lines  should  be  tightened  immediately,  door  entrances closed,  walls  secured  to  footstop  pins,  and  all  corners closed. d. Protection Against Fire. (1) Most  tents  are  fire  resistant.    This  does not  mean  that  they  will  not  burn;  they  usually  do  not burst into flame, but smolder and char. (2) When    using    a    stove    in    a    tent,    every precaution must be taken to avoid fires.  Spark arresters or  draft  diverters  must  be  installed  and  shields  placed around   stovepipe   openings.      All   personnel   should   be well  trained  in  building  and  maintaining  stove  fires  and should be familiar with all fire regulations. (3) Whenever possible, fire extinguishers containing water should be kept in the tent area. e. Protection Against Mildew. (1) Most   tents   are   mildew   resistant.      This does   not   mean   that   they   are   not   subject   to   mildew. Under  warm  and  damp  conditions,  especially  in  tropical and jungle areas, tents may be ruined by mildew in a few days, if proper care is not taken. (2) To prevent mildew, follow these rules: (a) Never   fold   or   roll   tent   when   wet. Make doubly sure that the seams and edges of the tent, especially the bottom edge and the sod cloth, are dry. (b) When   transporting,   keep   pins   and poles  separate  from  tent,  except  when  tent  instructions require  them  to  be  packed  with  the  tent.    In  the  case  of the latter, make sure the pins and poles are cleaned and dried before being placed with the tent. (c) Keep tent clean at all  times.    If  tent is pitched under trees, inspect the tent roof frequently to see  if  it  is  being  harmed  by  drippings  from  branches  or leaves.  The growth of fungi and mold is caused to some extent   by   tree   drippings,   oils,   greases,   and   starches which accumulate on tentage. 3-6.    Protection  of  Pins,  Poles,  and  Lines  Against Damage a. Pins.      All   wooden   tent   pins   currently   issued receive  a  wood-preservative  treatment.    Care  should  be taken in handling pins to see that they are not broken or otherwise  damaged.    In  determining  the  serviceability  of pins,  look  for  cracks,  splits,  distorted  ends,  and  broken or flattened points. b. Poles.        Care    should    be    taken    in    handling tentpoles  to  see  that  they  are  not  broken  or  otherwise damaged.  In determining the serviceability of poles, look for cracks, splits, condition of metal joiners, and missing or bent spindles. c. Lines.      Lines   should   be   inspected   frequently. The  stability  and  safety  of  the  tent  may  depend  on  the condition  of  the  various  lines  used.    Deterioration  in  tent lines  is  of  two  kinds:  physical  and  chemical.    Physical damage   is   caused   by   surface   wear   or   from   internal friction between the fibers.  Chemical damage is caused by    exposure    to    weather    conditions    and    acids.        To prevent damage to tent lines, observe the following: (1) Dry     lines     properly     after     exposure     to dampness.      Lines   are   best   dried   when   hung   loosely between  two  trees  or  other  objects  so  that  they  do  not come in contact with the ground. (2) Keep  lines  clean.    If  lines  become  dirty, they  should  be  washed  in  clean  water  and  thoroughly dried.  Grit from sand, mud, or other materials, 3-4