d. For the prevention of fires, material such as dirty or greasy rags and waste
paper should not be allowed to accumulate in any building. Flammable liquids and
poisons, regardless of quantity, should not be stored in billets.
2-20. SUMMARY
a. AR 40-5 sets the standards for troop housing. Inspectors must ensure that
post and local regulations meet these standards.
b. Paragraph 5 of AR 40-5 describes the sanitary standards for troop housing.
The major areas discussed are:
(1) General aspects of housing sanitation.
(2) Space allowances.
(3) Plumbing fixture requirements.
(4) Ventilation.
(5) Bed arrangements.
c. An inspection checklist is a useful tool since it gives the inspector an outline
of items to look for when conducting the inspection and a way to record observations.
Inspection checklist formats vary, but certain items are present on all checklists. A good
inspector uses the checklist but does not rely on it entirely.
d. Responsibility for sanitation in troop housing is fourfold:
(1) The unit commander has ultimate responsibility for sanitation in troop
housing.
(2) The Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintenance, construction,
(3) The U.S. Army Medical Department is responsible for inspections to
determine that installations are following standards.
(4) The individual soldier is responsible for the basics of personal hygiene,
billet cleanliness, and the reporting of health hazards.
e. Respiratory diseases are the most common health threat in troop housing due
to the manner in which they are spread. Respiratory diseases are transmitted in three
ways:
(1) Direct contact between an infected and a well person.
MD0164
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