JSS 0251 – Technical Documentation

JSS 251

Joint Service Specifications, JSS 0251-01: 2015 (Revision No-2)

What is JSS 251?

JSS 251 is a defense documentation standard. To make it simpler, whenever we buy some household item, be it a fridge or AC, we get a user manual. If you look closely, each company follows their documentation structure or pattern and content flow. There will not be any similarities in formatting or layout. Every OEM has their separate documentation teams and they design in their own way.

Even the size and dimensions of the document may be different.

Similarly whenever a simple system or complex system is delivered to defense users i.e. Army, navy or air force, along with the original equipment OEMs also have to supply Manuals.

But, in this Defense supplier case, the defense wants all the OEMs to follow similar standards that are defined by them. They want every OEM to follow the document structure the same way.

These guidelines are drafted in JSS 0251-01: 2015 standards book. Every OEM has to follow the same guidelines while delivering Softcopies and also Hard copies.

Jss 0251 – Technical Documentation

Why standardization is needed.

Why is this documentation is to be followed?

Well, if it is a deliverable is single AC then no problem. But unlike household equipment, when defense labs build some equipment for example let us say a Missile, here several OEMs are involved may be more than 40 different OEMs i.e. for ground systems, Vehicle chassis, Radars, Power systems, Hydraliques, launchers, transport vehicles and maybe for components too, so many different vendors are involved.

If 40 different OEMs makes the documentation in their way, it will be very confusing to refer to. Hence all these OEMs has to follow a single standard JSS 251 so that all 40 looks the same for the operator or Maintainer who is the actual END-USER of the equipment.

The purpose of documentation is to refer to the Manual in case of any emergency, or when the end-user is in the war field and OEM is not available for repair then the operator should be able to refer to the topics very easily.

Normally, all these manuals are also copied in DVD and delivered along with hard copies.

This specification talks about the procedure for the preparation and production of technical publications for electronic and electrical equipment.

These standards are drafted by the Directorate of standardization, Department of Defense Production, Ministry of Defense.

JSS 251 describes the format and procedure for the preparation and production of technical publications for electronics and electrical equipment required to be supplied by OEMs or manufacturers.

Along with equipment or subsystem, few technical publications are normally submitted by OEM to defence lab, or end-user i.e. army, navy or air force.

Joint Service Specifications, JSS 0251-01: 2015

To name a few documents

• Design specifications
• User Hand Book
• Technical Manual
• Procurement Drawings
• Packing specifications
• List of components
• List of Carried spares
• List of Installation spares
• Engineering support package
• List of accessories
• List of a special tool, test equipment etc.

For simple equipment’s full range of the above-mentioned publications are not required. UHB and Technical manual can be combined and made into a single document.

Similarly, for complex systems or equipment, there may be more than 1 technical Manual. There may be TM for every subsystem.

These specifications talk about COVER PAGE designs which include Code Number, Date of Publication, Title/ Name of publication, Title of equipment and other details

Some equipment may be imported from other countries and the documentation may not be in the JSS, hence such manuals are to be converted to JSS documents.

All the text should be in black ink except security classifications & repair /Replacement instructions on Title & Cover page and also Safety Hazards in the initial pages of manual

The paper used for printing should be 80 GSM or more.

The specification also talks about Descriptive details, Nomenclature, Warnings, Cautions, List of related publications, illustrations Record of changes, Security Markings etc.

Following is the sequence of contents to be followed.

1. Front/cover page which is printed on thicker paper or laminated
2. The title page which is the same as the Frontpage
3. Record of changes
4. List of other associated handbooks
5. Safety warnings in red colour
6. First-aid instructions
7. Cautions & Notes
8. Demolition instructions
9. Change Notice
10. List of contents
11. List of illustrations
12. Text/content
13. The separate card titled Illustrations
14. Illustrations
15. Separate card titles Appendix “A” , B,C
16. Appendix or appendices
17. Back cover page

Joint Service Specifications, JSS 0251-01 2015 (Revision No-2)

If the technical Manual has more than one volume then, Volume 1 of 2 the Technical description Volume 2 of 2, Illustrations etc to be used

What do you need to make our Documents JSS compatible?

1. We are not domain experts hence all the raw documents to be provided to us
2. We will reorganize all the documents as per the prescribed standards
3. Hence we need

• All the raw manuals
• Illustrations
• Spare-parts details