Bit Mat Products Inc., (BMP) developed the following procedures for stockpiling its concrete and blacktop patch repair product, cold patch. If these procedures are followed, a BMP cold patch stockpile of 100 tons or more should last at least six months. If the stockpile is less than 100 tons, in addition to the following procedures, BMP recommends covering the cold patch stockpile with tarps or plastic.

1. Prepare a bituminous or concrete pad, preferably upwind from existing stockpiles or blowing quarry dust.
    
2.  Immediately following mixing, stockpile cold patch no higher than six feet until it has cooled to the ambient temperature – generally 24-48 hours.
    
3. Once stockpile has cooled, cold patch can be transported long distances and used for general patching purposes. BMP cold patch stockpiles can then be built, taking caution not to go any higher than the loader can reach without putting the rear wheels up on the stockpile.
    
4. The ideal stockpile is rectangular in shape with sloped sides and ends. Stockpiles should be oriented south to north to allow an operator to work off the south face during AM hours. This provides additional workability in sub-zero temperatures.
    
5. BMP cold patch stockpiles form a thin, protective crust after a few weeks. This crust plays an important role in the longevity of the stockpile and should not be disturbed except during loading. Operators should be instructed to keep the crust intact as much as possible. Rectangular shaped stockpiles have proven to be most efficient in preserving the crust. Loading from one end, recommended to be the south end, of the rectangle also helps retain the crust.
    
6. Do NOT “freshen” the stockpile. The protective crust should in no way be distributed unless loading.
    
7. Freezing rain and snow may affect the workability or adhesion of BMP cold patch. In extreme weather, BMP recommends moving the amount needed for a job indoors and store it at a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F for 8-12 hours before application. Another solution recommended by BMP is to cover the entire stockpile during winter with tarps or plastic.
    
8. Keep stockpile areas clear of debris. At the end of an application, any unused bmp cold patch returned to the stockpile should not be pushed onto the pile, but placed near the working face to be mixed with fresh material 50-50 in the next load.