Electrical Shop

Manned by Construction Mechanics, the electrical shop repairs, rebuilds, cleans, adjusts, and tests all automotive electrical parts and accessories, such as generators, starters, and voltage regulators. In many battalions, Construction Electricians (CEs) are assigned to conduct load tests and make electrical repairs to light plants, generators, and welders.

Battery Shop

CMs assigned to the battery shop maintain and recharge wet cell batteries, mix electrolyte, and keep a supply of fully charged, spare batteries for equipment used by the battalion.

The battery shop should be well separated from any open flames. It must be well ventilated to prevent accumulation of explosive hydrogen gas fumes given off during battery charging. Adequate safety equipment, located within the battery shop, includes rubber aprons and gloves, face shields, eyewash, and treadle shower. Electrical light fixtures and plug-in connections should be of explosiveproof design.

Mechanics' Toolroom

The mechanics' toolroom is the central point for issue of all mechanics' tools under an approved custody control system. Each shop supervisor is the custodian of kits and tools needed continuously for the shop. These are checked out by mechanics of the shop on signed custody receipts. Tools needed to perform particular job assignments are signed out on an individual basis. The toolroom petty officer will have an updated copy of the CESO Sets Kits and Outfits Book (SKO) to provide accurate inventory lists of all tool kits by NAVFAC assembly number. A partial listing of tool kits available to the mechanic stationed in an NMCB follows.

Be sure to check your toolroom SKO for additional tool kits and their applications. Toolroom personnel perform tool repair within their capabilities and ensure that preventive maintenance service and electrical safety checks (according to COMCBPAC/COMCBLANTINST 5100.1 series, art. 215) are conducted by battalion toolroom personnel.

ALFA Company Steel Shop

In construction battalions, Steelworkers (SWs) and Hull Technicians (HTs) form the nucleus of the ALFA Company steel shop. Their work includes repair and rebuilding of chassis components and body parts; repair and testing of radiators; and repair of any other metal components by welding, soldering, brazing, and so on.

Tire Shop

Personnel assigned to the tire shop repair and replace pneumatic tires on CESE assigned to the battalion.

This shop should be located in an easily accessible area, as over 90 percent of the CESE assigned to a construction battalion uses pneumatic tires. The SKO, volume 2, kit 80012, lists items required to operate a battalion-size tire shop. An air compressor, separate from the maintenance shop, is required because of the large volume of air used.

Lubrication Rack The mechanics assigned to the lubrication racks maintain adequate stocks of all lubricants required by the battalion and lubricate automotive and construction equipment as required under the preventive maintenance (PM) program.

Although you will have skid-mounted lubricators and lubricating teams for servicing equipment in the field, most of your scheduled PMs will be accomplished in the maintenance shop area. Outdoor locations for lubrication stalls are satisfactory in temperate climates and during favorable weather, but efficiency is increased by providing suitable shelter. PM racks should include provisions for storage of greases and oils, preferably at a distance from your other shop areas, as a precaution against fire.

In addition to facilitating lubrication services, these racks should provide for easier inspection and cleaning of underneath parts and surfaces of CESE.