TM 1-1500-204-23-1 11-7. Maintenance Area. The ALSE maintenance area consists of work, storage, and fitting areas. Access to a classroom adjacent to or in close proximity of the life support area is desired for lectures and instructions on the equipment being used and survival conditions. The shop should contain not less than 1,000 square feet of usable  area  that  is  environmentally  controlled  within a range of +60°F (15.6°C) to 75°F (23.8°C) and have a potable water source i.e., hot and cold water. The area will be protected from pilferage, dampness, fire, dust, insects,  rodents,  direct  sunlight,  and  be  free  from  uncon- trolled foot and vehicle traffic. To ensure that all ALSE is maintained in a high state of readiness through inspect- ing, cleaning, fitting, testing, adjusting, and repairing, all maintenance  will  be  in  accordance  with  the  applicable TM, TO, or NAVAIR. For additional information refer to FM  1-508.  Table  11-1  lists  recommended  test  equipment for the ALSE work area. 11-8. Work Area Criteria. The work area will have bench  surfaces  free  from  rough  or  abrasive  materials, splinter-free tops with a nonporous surface. The area is to be well-lighted with accessible electrical outlets to all bench and desk areas. Cabinets and work benches/ tables with locks should be used for securing test equip- ment, tools, and supplies. Units that have oxygen equip- ment  will  have  an  area  set  aside  for  oxygen  maintenance that will have hot and cold running water, stainless steel sinks, and floors that are sealed and protected from spills. The area will be restricted to ALSE personnel only. Units  supporting  flotation  equipment  will  have  a  moisture and oil-free source of low-pressure, high-volume air and a  vacuum  source.  A  vacuum  cleaner  may  be  used;  how- ever, the vacuum cleaner must not be used for cleaning at any time, because dirt and dust must not be induced into the flotation cells. The floor of the work shop will be sealed and coated to prevent chemical spills from pene- trating  the  floor  surface.  The  work  area  will  have  hot  and cold running water for cleaning equipment as well as a wash area. Cleanliness is very important in maintaining the  equipment.  Smoking,  eating  or  drinking  should  not  be permitted in the area. 11-9. Storage Area Criteria. The storage area will be well-ventilated,  out  of  direct  sunlight,  and  well-lighted. The  storage  area  will  have  storage  shelves  and  cabinets that provide security for the stored equipment and be free from dust, moisture, fire, insects, and rodents. The floor is to be sealed and covered with a dust-free flooring material. A refrigerator will be used to store batteries used in life support equipment; because of health and food service regulations, food will not be stored in refrig- erators. 11-10. Fitting Area Criteria. The fitting area will be well-lighted and have enough space so personnel may be fitted with clothing and equipment being assigned to them,  i.e.  survival  vest,  flight  clothing,  flight  helmet,  para- chute harness, etc. 11-11. Tools and Special Repair Equipment. All ALSE items will be serviced and repaired in accordance with applicable TM/TO. The required and authorized tools and special repair equipment are found in the Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL) of the appli- cable  TWO. 11-12. Training Equipment. Most  equipment  used  for training can be returned to service, providing the equip- ment is serviceable and can pass all inspection criteria for that item, before it is returned to service. The excep- tions are as follows: All flotation equipment - these are to be marked FOR TRAINING ONLY in accordance with TM 5-4220-202-14. Sleeping bags - either those packed inside a 12” by 12” by 1” hard fiberglass container or the new vacuum packed soft plastic package. 11-13. Temporary Storage of Life Support Equip ment. Equipment being stored is subject to dry rot, rodent  damage,  mildew  and  other  contamination.  It  is important for the area to be environmentally controlled as well as secured from pilferage. a.  Survival  Kits. Survival kits to be in temporary storage  will: l Be inspected, repaired, and if needed, cleaned. l Have components replaced if necessary. l Have matches and pyrotechnics removed and stored in accordance with post policy for units operating within a military base, or local policy for those units not operating on a military base. l Have kits appropriately tagged with annotations about items not in the kit being stored. 11-2  Change 3 DELETED