GasRam™ for the SWAT Operator
Maintenance

Cleaning the GasRam™

A rusty cap and body will lead to corrosion and degrade the body of the ram over time. Leaving the residue from burning grenades in the body will lead to pitting of the metal. Leaving any moisture in the ram when storing will result in corrosion and pitting of the metal. If this occurs your Ram should not be used until an expert has tested it for strength.

Clean the Body – Remove the probes, the end cap and the burst disk body. Cover the burst disc hole with gaffer type tape while cleaning the ram body. For best results use a heated steam cleaner on the body inside and out and remove all traces of the burned material or use a commercial cleaner such as "Evapo-Rust". A high pressure washer can also be used if a heated high pressure steam cleaner is not available. After using either method make sure you check for corrosion on the GasRam™. If the body, cap or probes are pitted from corrosion it should not be used. It may be returned to the manufacturer to be tested for strength and re certified for use. Be sure to wear an APR will cleaning the GasRam™. You will release some agent during the cleaning process.

Clean the Probes – The probes can be again either steam cleaned or cleaned using a commercial cleaner to remove all traces of burned material. Make sure to check for corrosion. With the probes you must ensure that there are no obstructions in the tube so that smoke can flow freely through them.

Clean the Burst Disk – The disk should be removed from the body before cleaning. Unscrew the top of the burst disk to reveal the rupture disk. Remove the disk. Be careful, it is thin and may tear. Clean the rupture disk with a soft cloth. After drying be very careful and replace the rupture disk into the burst disk assembly. Tighten hand tight. Then put plumber’s silicon tape on the threads of the burst disc body and retread into the clean body of the GasRam™.

Clean the End Cap - The End Cap can be again either steam cleaned or use a commercial cleaner to remove all traces of burned material. Make sure to check for corrosion. With the End Cap you must ensure that the standoff is still in place and that the threads are not damaged. Before replacing the End Cap you must lubricate the threads with an anti seize compound like Permatex® Anti-Seize Lubricant. This will stop the metal from seizing after it gets hot. Tighten the End Cap onto the Body hand tight then back off 1/8 of a turn.

Store the GasRam™ - Before storing the GasRam™   you should lubricate all the parts with a commercial lubricant such as "Break Free" gun oil. Then place in a secure DRY storage area. The GasRam™ should be re-lubricated every six months at a minimum to ensure rust and corrosion does not occur. Ensure that the GasRam™ is dry before storage and that you store it in a dry location. Moisture will lead to rusting, corrosion and pitting of the ram. When this occurs you must not use the ram until it has been tested for strength by an expert.