Lesson 1/Learning Event 4
LEARNING EVENT 5:
DESCRIBE PLANNING OF CHEMICAL SURVEYS
To monitor for chemical agents, units and survey teams use M8 Detector Paper and the Automatic
Chemical Agent Alarm. When chemical contamination is detected, chemical agent detector kits are
used to identify the contamination. The presence of contamination is reported by use of NBC 1
When monitoring information from NBC 1 (Chemical) Reports submitted by units in an area of interest
does not provide enough information about the contamination situation, a chemical survey will be
The purpose of conducting a chemical survey is to determine the extent of contamination in an area of
interest or route of travel. Chemical detection and identification equipment is not suited for aerial
surveys. Chemical surveys are usually conducted on the ground. The planning and control for a
chemical survey is similar to that for a ground radiological survey. The chemical survey plan must
establish, as a minimum, the amount of detail required, the method of control and selected survey points.
It should also be appropriate for the tactical situation.
In the planning process the NBCE, together with the survey element leader, selects the routes and
reconnaissance techniques to be used and the information to be collected.
The survey plan would cal for the reconnaissance element to collect as much information as possible
the type of agent
the location, extent and duration of contamination.
routes through or around the area.
terrain features and vegetation in the area.
Survey plans must be submitted to the chemical officer for approval. Enough data may be available
from friendly units to provide the necessary information without a survey, and the chemical officer will
request this and other critical information about the area from units in the area.