CHAPTER 2 ADVANCED BASED FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the basic functions of the Advanced Base Functional Component (ABC) System, as outlined in the NAVFAC P-437, and identify the basic operation of various types of advanced base field support facilities. The Seabees are involved in many projects, ranging from building playgrounds in local communities to renovating buildings or building structures from scratch; however, the primary responsibility of the Seabees must not be forgotten-the construction of advanced bases. It is the Seabee's job to get in the middle of a contingency situation and construct the temporary facilities required to support U.S. military operations.

When these services are called upon, Seabees are expected to react expediently, and planning time is often limited. Planning is still required to organize personnel working schedules, material requirements, and tool/equipment usage. At one time, this planning was not done in advance.

The need for advanced planning was discovered when our forces were jumping from island to island during World War II. It was realized that many of the requirements of the advanced bases were the same and a new advanced base could benefit from the planning done on a previous base. Advanced base requirements were grouped together into components according to their desired functions, and the ADVANCED BASE FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT (ABFC) SYSTEM was born. The ABFC System revolves around a building block type of system. The largest type of block is a COMPONENT, which brings together all of the people, facilities, equipment, and supplies required to perform a particular function. A component is made up of a FACILITY or a number of facilities that best meet your requirements. A facility is composed of smaller building blocks known as ASSEMBLIES. One or more assemblies are grouped together as required to make up the facility. A single assembly can often be used in several different facilities.

ABFC SYSTEM

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain the different sections of the ABFC Facilities Planning Guide, NAVFAC P-437. Identify setup, operation, and maintenance procedures for Utilitiesman - specific advanced base field assemblies.

To bring together all of the information of the ABFC System, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command published the Facilities Planning Guide, NAVFAC P-437, volumes 1 and 2. Volume 1 contains all of the reproducible drawings and is divided into three parts. Part 1 has applicable plot plans for the components. Facility drawings are located in Part 2. The assembly drawings, which are used as the working drawings, make up Part 3. Each of the three parts is arranged in numerical/alphabetical sequence by component, facility, or assembly number. 'A picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes it takes a thousand and one words to convey an idea. To provide us with that "extra word," NAVFAC published volume 2. The written information concerning a component, a facility, or an assembly can be located by referring to this information-packed publication. Like volume 1, volume 2 is divided into three parts. Part 1 contains component information. The facility information is in Part 2. Part 3 contains the assembly information.

The advanced base support facilities discussed in this chapter will be the PORTABLE BATH UNIT; PORTABLE SPACE HEATER; IMMERSION HEATER; FIELD RANGE BURNER UNIT; CESSPOOLS, SEPTIC TANKS, TILE FIELDS, and LATRINES; LAUNDRY UNIT; AND WATER PURIFICATION UNITS.

By the use of various components, facilities, and assemblies, a construction battalion is able to construct advanced bases. Advanced bases include administrative, medical, living, messing, and other essential facilities. When the ABFC shipment arrives at the site, the assemblies and facilities should be distributed in the storage areas, so they are available in the order of erection or installation.