VOL. II BOOK4 CHAPTER I SECTIONS 2-3 various occupants or users of buildings, provided fairly complete information as to the need of preventive or corrective maintenance measures. In general, such items as leaky faucets, improper functioning of toilets, cleaning, scraping and painting of shower stalls, leaks in bolt holes or at the base lines of the buildings were corrected as soon as discovered. The aluminum buildings originally selected by Holmes & Narver are practically unaffected by corrosion. These buildings are well suited from a maintenance viewpoint for use on the Atoll. On the other hand, the Quonset-type buildings remaining from military occupation have, in general, deteriorated badly, primarily because of corrosion. Due to the age of these buildings and resultant accumulative effect of corrosion in general, they are in poor condi- tion; extensive overhaul would not be warranted. Maintenance on these buildings was undertaken to insure safety of personnel and weather-proofing where this was essential. Water tanks, towers and other structures were periodically inspected and when necessary they were cleaned, scraped or sandblasted and painted. Maintenance of tents was principally confined to patching of canvas which deteriorates rapidly in the prevailing climate at the Atoll. SECTION 3. FRESH WATER DISTILLATION AND DISTRIBUTION During this operation the maintenance work for the distillation units was exceptionally heavy due primarily to the units having reached an operating age where replacement of various parts became necessary. Distillation units required constant observation for signs of steam and water leaks or malfunctioning of equipment. The evaporators were acid cleaned on periodic cycles, generally on 300 hours of operation. Mechanical cleaning, involving many hours of work, was generally required after one year of operation. Experiments were conducted with highly successful results in the incorporation of phosphoric acid with muriatic acid for scale removal. These acids were mixed in the ratio of four parts of 33% muriatic acid to two parts of 75% phos- phoric acid, and the mixture removed all salt deposits. This method of acid cleaning entirely eliminated the need for mechanical cleaning and thereby re- duced the man power used for cyclic cleaning. The acid method can be accom- plished in much shorter time, and therefore its general use increased the production level as units were placed back into operation more quickly. This method of cleaning was first started in August 1952 and its use should reflect reduced salt removal costs. In early March 1952, Unit 8 at Fred developed leaks in the evaporator tubing. The steam dome and bottom pan were removed and the tubes were replaced, Inspection of all tubes disclosed heavy salt deposit which was not removed by acid cleaning. After mechanical cleaning, a hydrostatic test disclosed an 4-3