What are the two greatest dangers to munitions items?

Fire and excessive heat represent the two greatest dangers to munitions items primarily due to their potential to initiate explosions or cause munitions to become unstable. When munitions are exposed to high temperatures, the risk of combustion increases significantly. This can be a result of direct fire exposure or environmental conditions that raise the temperature of the stored munitions.

Munitions are designed to withstand a certain amount of heat, but exceeding these limits can compromise their structural integrity and lead to dangerous conditions. Additionally, fire can lead to chain reactions when multiple items are stored together, potentially resulting in catastrophic consequences not only for the munitions but also for personnel and surrounding equipment.

While environmental contamination, impact and vibration, and moisture and humidity can pose risks to munitions, the immediacy and severity of damage that fire and excessive heat can cause make them the most critical concerns. Proper storage and handling procedures are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of munitions handling and storage operations.