It is of great importance that the spiral spring be not unrolled during transportation or storage. This is prevented by winding a tape of tarred canvas around the spirals, the head being covered by a thin band of tinfoil. Just before loading the projectile the head and tape are removed by pulling the free end of the tape.
The following precautions concerning fuses must be rigidly observed to prevent grave accidents:
1. All detonators and detonating point fuses must be fitted with a felt washer underneath, thus insuring proper seating in the central tube.
2. Never disassemble a fuse by unscrewing.
3. Any fuse, the parts of which have become accidentally unscrewed, must be destroyed at once. If fired it may cause a premature burst; if handled a grave accident may result.
4. Any fuse or projectile which has been fired is dangerous, because it may then be able to detonate by a very slight shock. It is forbidden to touch it.
5. Never remove the tin hood from the long fuse before having screwed the fuse in the central tube.
6. After having removed the tin hood, be sure that the spiral is in its proper position. Never use a long fuse without the spiral.
7. Be sure the men understand that this spiral must not be removed. It has happened that men have removed this spiral, thinking that it was a device similar to the safety ring in trench mortar fuzes, MK VII E.
8. See that the ring of the long fuze which connects the powder train to the fuze body cannot be unscrewed. If it can be unscrewed the fuze should be sent back to the depot.