TM 5-852-5/AFR 88-19, Volume 5
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
1-1. Purpose.
uncommon for air temperatures to remain below -30
degrees F for a week or more at many locations in
The purpose of this manual is to provide criteria and
Alaska.
guidance for design of utility systems for military
b. Permafrost. Permafrost is defined as any per-
facilities in arctic and subarctic regions. Only design
ennially frozen ground. The presence of frozen soil
criteria unique to cold regions (the Arctic and
has the greatest impact on design and construction,
Subarctic) are provided. Where conventional
so permafrost is typically a major design considera-
practice is acceptable, appropriate references are
tion. Figure 4-1 in TM 5-852-1/AFR 88-19, Vol.1,
given.
illustrates the approximate distribution of perma-
frost in the Northern Hemisphere. In the zone of
1-2. Scope.
continuous permafrost, frozen ground is absent only
This manual applies to all U.S. Army and U.S. Air
at a few widely scattered locations such as at the
Force installations in the Arctic and Subarctic.
bottoms of lakes and rivers. In the discontinuous
Topics covered include water supply, wastewater
zone, permafrost is found intermittently. TM 5-852-
collection, treatment and disposal, fire protection,
1/AFR 88-19, Vol.1, contains detailed discussion on
utility distribution systems and the thermal calcu-
both permafrost and seasonal frost.
lation techniques needed for their cold regions
c. Wind and related factors. Mean annual wind
design.
speeds for most arctic and subarctic locations are
usually about 5 to 10 miles per hour in the interior
1-3. References.
and 10 to 20 mph at coastal locations. The combina-
Appendix A contains a complete list of references
tion of wind and low temperatures results in very
for this manual. The bibliography lists additional
large heat losses from exposed facilities and presents
selected technical information on the subject.
hazards for personnel. Blowing and drifting snow
can create major construction and operational
1-4. Environmental conditions in the Arctic
problems even when the total precipitation is low.
and Subarctic.
The location and layout of utility systems and access
The design, construction and maintenance of utility
points for operation and maintenance must be given
systems are all affected by the special environmental
careful consideration during planning and design to
conditions found in the Arctic and Subarctic. These
avoid problems with drifting snow.
conditions include adverse temperatures, wind, and
snow; high costs; remoteness of locations, limited
availability of construction materials and labor; need
for fuel additives, synthetic lubricants, oils and
greases for construction equipment; thermal
stresses; frost heaving and permafrost.
a. Temperature. The low temperature prevailing
in the cold regions is the most critical environmental
factor. The intensity of the cold is important, but
equally critical is the duration of the cold period.
Mean annual air temperatures in the Northern
Hemisphere are presented in TM 5-852-1/AFR 88-
19, Vol. 1. Air temperatures in arctic locations
range from highs of 80 degrees F in summer to lows
of -75 degrees F in winter. Interior locations away
from the tempering effects of oceans or large water
bodies tend to have the greatest extremes. Sub-zero
temperatures can persist for months and it is not
1-1
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