7 CCR 1101-9
INTRODUCTION Statement of Basis & Purpose : These regulations are promulgated to establish rules for the use, manufacture, possession, sale, storage, transport, or disposal of explosives materials or blasting agents in the interest of the life, health, and safety of employees and the general public, as well as the protection of property.
To this end, a procedure for the granting of explosives permits is continued whereby the opportunity to use, manufacture, possess, sell, store, transport, or dispose of explosives materials is restricted to such permit holders and conditioned upon satisfactory continued compliance with these rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these rules and regulations subjects the permit holder to suspension, denial, or revocation of the permit.
Adoption of these rules and regulations is intended to greatly clarify the Division of Oil and Public Safety requirements pertaining to the use of explosive materials, to ease the burden on the permit holder where interpretation has been necessary, and to better incorporate the numerous requirements from other governmental agencies. These rules and regulations provide for uniformity of compliance and elimination of numerous areas of confusion and duplication in an effort to better serve and protect the public. Statutory Authority : Section 9-7-105, C.R.S.
Repeal: All prior rules for explosive materials are hereby repealed.
Effective Date: These rules shall be effective March 30, 2005 CHAPTER I SCOPE & DEFINITIONS
1.0 Purpose
This regulation is promulgated to establish minimum requirements and standards for permits to use, manufacture, possess, sell, store, transport, or dispose explosives or blasting agents in the interest of the life, health, and safety of employees and the general public, as well as the protection of property.
1.1 Scope
These rules and regulations shall apply to the use, manufacture, purchase, possession, sale, storage, transportation, and disposal of explosive materials in the State of Colorado by any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency. These rules and regulations shall not apply to:
(A) The shipment, transportation, and handling of military explosives by the Armed Forces of the United States or the State Militia.
(B) The normal and emergency operations of any government law enforcement agency including all departments, and divisions thereof, provided they are acting in their official capacity and in the proper performance of their duties and functions.
(C) Explosives in the forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia or the National Formulary and used in medicines and medicinal agents.
(D) Explosive materials while in the course of transportation by for-hire commercial carriers via railroad, water, highway, or air when the explosive materials are moving under the jurisdiction of, and in conformity with, regulations adopted by any Federal Department or Agency.
(E) The components for hand loading rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition and/or rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition.
(F) The manufacture, sale and use (public display) of pyrotechnics commonly known as fireworks, including signaling devices such as flares, fuses, and torpedoes.
(G) Gasoline, fertilizers, installed propellant/powder-actuated safety devices or propellant/powder- actuated power tools.
(H) The use and storage of model rocket motors containing a propellant weight of 62.5 grams or less and which produce less than 17.92 pound seconds of total impulse. No permit shall be required for the occasional purchase of explosives by a person for normal agricultural purposes where such person is known by the seller of such explosives, and a record is kept of such transactions by the seller, including the specific purpose for which such explosives will be used, the location of the purposed use, the signature of the purchaser, and the certification of the seller as to his personal knowledge of the purchaser. Violation of this record requirement shall cause the seller’s permit to be canceled. A permit is required for any manufacturing, storage, dealing, or non-agricultural use of explosives as outlined in Chapter III of this regulation. No person, firm, partnership, or corporation whose possession of explosive materials is for the purpose of underground mining, surface or underground metal mining, or surface or underground coal mining and whose use and storage is subject to regulation by the provisions of 30 CFR - Parts 56, 57, 75 or 77 shall be subject to the provisions of the Explosives Act, Sections 9-7-101, et seq., C.R.S. No person, firm, partnership, or corporation whose possession, use, or storage of explosive materials is subject to regulation by the provisions of Colorado Revised Statutes, Sections 34-21-104 And 34-21-110 (Colorado Mining Law), shall be subject to the provisions of the Explosives Act, Sections 9-7-101, et seq., C.R.S.
A permit issued by the Division of Oil and Public Safety shall be required for the possession, use, or storage of explosives in mining operations whose use and storage is not subject to the provisions of 30 CFR - Parts 56, 57, 75 or 77 or Colorado Revised Statutes, Sections 34-21-104 and 34-21-110 (Colorado Mining Law).
Except as noted in the foregoing, the Division of Oil and Public Safety may approve or disapprove the location for, and limit, the quantity of explosives or blasting agents which may be loaded, unloaded, reloaded, stored, or temporarily retained at any facility within the State of Colorado. The Division of Oil and Public Safety may issue an explosive permit for continued use for a period of time not to exceed thirty-six (36) months.
1.2 Definitions
The following publications and codes are hereby incorporated by this reference in accordance with section 24-21-104(12.5), C.R.S.:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Publication ATF P 5400.7 (September 2000), ATF- Explosives Law and Regulations.
- 49 CFR - Parts 100-177 179(inclusive) Parts 390-397 U.S. Department of Transportation (October 1, 2003)
- National Electric Code, 1993 Edition, National Fire Protection Association - Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Library Publication No. 22 (May 1993) - Institute Of Makers Of Explosives Safety Library Publication No. 20 (July 2001) These rules incorporate the editions and revisions specified. Subsequent editions and revisions have not been incorporated by this reference. The publications incorporated by this reference may be examined and a copy of them may be obtained upon request and payment of the cost of reproduction during regular business hours from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Oil and Public Safety, 1515 Arapahoe St. Tower 3, Suite 660, Denver, CO 80202, and may also be inspected at the state depository libraries.
The following words when used in these rules and regulations shall mean: Active Status : The status of a valid Type I permit when the permittee is authorized to possess and control explosives by a Type II permittee.
Air blast : The airborne shock wave or acoustic transient generated by an explosive. American Table of Distances : A quantity-distance table prepared and approved by the Institute of the Makers of Explosives, for the storage of explosive materials to determine the safe distances from inhabited buildings, public highways, passenger railways, and other stored explosive materials. See section 4.6 of these regulations.
Ammonium nitrate : The ammonium salt of nitric acid represented by the formula nh no . 4 3 Approved storage facility (approved magazine) : A facility for the storage of explosives materials conforming to the requirements of these rules and regulations. Attend(ed) : The physical presence of an authorized person within the field of vision of explosives or the use of explosives.
Authorized, Approved or Approval : Terms which mean approved, approval, or authorized by the Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety.
Authorized person : A person approved or assigned by the management to perform a specific type of duty or duties or to be at a specific location or locations at the job site. Armed Charge : An explosive cartridge that contains a detonator. Artificial Barricade : An artificial mound, berm, or wall of earth of a minimum thickness of three feet, or any other approved barricade that offers equivalent protection. Barricaded : The effective screening of a building or magazine containing explosive materials from another magazine or building, railway, or highway by a natural or an artificial barrier. A straight line from the top of any sidewall of the building or magazine containing explosives materials to the eave line of any magazine or building or to a point twelve feet above the center of a railway or highway shall pass through the barrier.
Binary (two-component) explosive : A blasting explosive formed by the mixing or combining of two plosophoric materials, for example ammonium nitrate and nitromethane. Black Powder : A deflagrating or low explosive compound of an intimate mixture of sulfur, charcoal and an alkali nitrate, usually potassium or sodium nitrate. Blast Area : Area of the blast within the influence of flying rock missiles, gases, vibration, and concussion.
Blaster : A Type I permitted individual who is permitted by the Division of Oil and Public Safety to possess and control the use of explosives.
Blaster-In-Charge : A Type I permittee who is in charge of and responsible for the loading or preparing of the explosives charges, and either physically initiates the charge or is physically present when the charge is initiated at a specific job site. This individual is in charge of the planning of the blast at a specific job site, the supervision of all persons assisting on the blast and all persons in training, and is responsible for the inventory, inventory records, and blast records for the blast. Blasting Agent : An explosive material, which meets prescribed criteria for insensitivity to initiation. For storage, Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 55.11, defines a blasting agent as any material or mixture consisting of fuel and oxidizer intended for blasting, not otherwise defined as an explosive: provided that the finished product, as mixed for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a No. 8 Blasting Cap when unconfined (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Regulation).
Blasting Mat : A mat of woven steel, wire, rope, scrap tires, or other suitable material or construction to cover blast holes for the purpose of preventing flying rock missiles. Blast Pattern : The plan of the drill holes laid out for blasting; an expression of the burden distance and their relationship to each other. Synonymous with drill pattern. Blast Site : Area where explosive material is handled during blasting operations, including the perimeter of blast holes and for a distance of 50 feet in all directions from explosive charges, loaded boreholes or boreholes to be loaded.
Booster : An explosive charge, usually of high detonation velocity and detonation pressure, designed to be used in the initiation sequence between an initiator or primer and the main charge. Borehole : A hole drilled in the material to be blasted, for the purpose of containing an explosive charge, also called a blast hole or drill hole.
Bulk Mix : A mass of explosive material prepared for use in bulk form without packaging. Bulk Mix Delivery Equipment : Equipment (usually a motor vehicle with or without mechanical delivery device) which transports explosive material in bulk form for mixing, or loading directly into blast holes, or both.
Bullet Resistant : Magazine wall or doors of construction resistant to penetration of a bullet of 150-grain M2 ball ammunition having a nominal muzzle velocity of 2,700 feet per second fired from a .30 caliber rifle from a distance of 100 feet perpendicular to the wall or door. When a magazine ceiling or roof is required to be bullet-resistant, the ceiling or roof shall be constructed of materials comparable to the side walls or of other materials which will withstand penetration of the bullet above described when fired at an angle of 45 degrees from perpendicular.
Bus Wire : Expendable heavy gauge bare copper wire used to connect detonators or series of detonators in parallel.
Charge-Per-Delay : Any charges firing within any 8-millisecond time period are considered to have a cumulative effect on vibration and air-overpressure effects. Therefore, the maximum charge-per-delay (w) is the maximum weight of all charges firing within any 8-millisecond time period from the time a blast starts until the time it ends. For example, if two 10-lb charges fire at 100 ms and one 15-lb charge fires at 105 ms, the maximum charge-per-delay (w) for this time period would be 35 lbs. Connecting Wire : Wire used to extend the firing line or leg wires in the electric blasting circuit. Control : To directly exercise authority or dominating influence over the use, manufacture, acquisition, purchase, sale, distribution, storage, transportation, or disposal of explosive materials. Day Box : A portable magazine for the temporary and attended storage of explosives. Day boxes shall meet construction requirements of a Type 3 magazine.
Dealer : Any person engaged in the business of distributing explosive material at wholesale or retail. Detonating Cord : A flexible cord containing a center core of high explosives which may be used to initiate other high explosives.
Detonator : Any device containing any initiating or primary explosive that is used for initiating detonation. A detonator may not contain more than 10 grams of total explosives by weight, excluding ignition or delay charges. The term includes, but is not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, electronic detonators, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating cord delay connectors, and nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting caps which use detonating cord, shock tube, or any other replacement for electric leg wires.
Director : The Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety of the Department of Labor and Employment or any designees thereof which may include certain employees of the Division of Oil and Public Safety or other persons.
Division : The Division of Oil and Public Safety.
Down line : A line of detonating cord or plastic tubing in a blast hole which transmits detonation from the trunkline or surface delay system down the hole to the primer. Electric detonator : A detonator designed for and capable of initiation by means of an electric current. Electronic Detonators : A detonator that utilizes stored electrical energy as a means of powering an electronic timing delay element/module and that provides initiation energy for firing the base charge. Emulsion : An explosive material containing substantial amounts of oxidizers dissolved in water droplets surrounded by an immiscible fuel, or droplets of an immiscible fuel surrounded by water containing substantial amounts of oxidizer.
Explosive : Any chemical compound, mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; the term includes, but is not limited to, dynamite and other high explosives, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord and igniters.
Explosive Materials : These include explosives, blasting agents, and detonators. The term includes but is not limited to dynamite and other high explosives; slurries, emulsions, and water gels, black powder, initiating explosives, propellant rockbreaking cartridges (such as Rockrackers TM ), detonators (blasting caps), safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord, and igniters. Binary explosives (such as kinepak TM or execon TM ), sold in two or more components, are considered an explosive material requiring a Division of Oil and Public Safety explosives permit. Explosive Oils : Liquid explosive sensitizers for explosive materials. Examples include nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate and metriol trinitrate.
Extraneous Electricity : Electrical energy, other than actual firing current or the test current from a blasting galvanometer, that is present at a blast site and that could enter a blasting circuit. It includes stray current, static electricity, electromagnetic waves, and time varying electric and magnetic fields. Fire Extinguisher Rating: A rating set forth in the National Fire Code which may be identified on an extinguisher by a number (5, 20, 70, etc.), indicating relative effectiveness, followed by a letter (A, B, C, etc.), indicating the class or classes of fires for which the extinguisher has been found to be effective. Fire-Resistant : Construction designed to provide reasonable protection against fire. (For exterior walls or magazine constructed of wood, this shall mean fire resistance equivalency provided by sheet metal of not less than 26 gauge.)
Flyrock : Dirt, mud, stone, fragmented rock or other material that is propelled from the blast site by the force of an explosion.
Fuse (Safety) : A flexible cord containing an internal burning medium by which fire or flame is conveyed at a continuous and uniform rate from the point of ignition to a cut end. A fuse detonator is usually attached to that end, although safety fuse may be used without a detonator to ignite material such as deflagrating explosives.
Fuse Detonator : A detonator which is initiated by a safety fuse or used in an avalauncher round; also referred to as an ordinary blasting cap. Synonymous with blasting cap, also see detonator. Fuse Lighters : Pyrotechnic devices for the rapid and certain lighting of safety fuse. Fuel : A substance which may react with oxygen to produce combustion. Hardwood : Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Ash, or Hickory, free from loose knots, wind shakes, or similar defects.
High Explosives : Explosives which are characterized by a very high rate of reaction, high pressure development and the presence of a detonation wave, including, but not limited to, dynamite, detonating cord, cast boosters, detonators, cap-sensitive slurry, emulsion, or water gels, and mixed binaries. Inactive Status : The status of a valid Type I permit when the Type I permittee is no longer authorized to possess and control explosives by a Type II permittee.
Inhabited area or building : A building regularly occupied in whole or in part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store, or other structure where people are accustomed to assemble, except any building or structure occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage, and use of explosive materials. Inspector : An Inspector of the Division of Oil and Public Safety. Initiation : The start of deflagration or detonation in an explosive material. Initiation System : Combination of explosive devices and accessories (detonators, wire, cord, etc.) designed to convey a signal and initiate an explosive charge. Lawful Possessor : A Type II permittee who has legally purchased or legally acquired explosive materials.
Low Explosives : Explosives which are characterized by deflagration or a low rate of reaction and the development of low pressure.
Magazine : Any building, structure, or container, other than an explosives manufacturing building, approved for the storage of explosive materials.
Magazine Distance : Shall mean the minimum distance permitted between any two storage magazines which is expected to prevent propagation of an explosion from one magazine to another from a blast. Make up room : A room located inside an uninhabited building which shall be used for the assembly of cap and fuse or for the arming of explosive charges used in avalanche control work. Manufacturer: Any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency engaged in the business of manufacturing explosive materials for the purpose of sale, distribution or for his own use.
Mass Detonation : When a unit or any part or quantity of explosive material explodes and causes all or a substantial part of the remaining material to detonate or explode. Misfire : A blast that fails to detonate completely after an attempt at initiation. This term is also used to describe the explosive material itself that has failed to detonate as planned. Motor Vehicle : A vehicle, machine, tractor, semi-trailer or other conveyance propelled or drawn by mechanical power. Does not include vehicles operated exclusively on rail. Natural Barricade : Natural features of the ground, such as hills, or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the magazine when the trees are bare of leaves.
Non-electric Detonator : A detonator that does not require the use of electric energy to function. Oxidizer or Oxidizing Material : A substance, such as nitrite, that readily yields oxygen or other oxidizing substances to promote the combustion of organic matter or other fuel. Permanent Storage Magazine : Type 1 magazines or Type 2, Type 4, or Type 5 magazines that have been at the same location for longer than ninety (90) days. Particle Board : A composition board made of small pieces of wood bonded together. Permittee : Any user, purchaser, manufacturer, dealer, storer, disposer, or transporter of explosives for a lawful purpose, who has obtained a permit from the Division of Oil and Public Safety. Person : Any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency.
Placards : Division of Transportation-Approved (Code of Federal Regulations Title 49) signs placed on vehicles transporting hazardous materials (including explosive materials) indicating the nature of the cargo.
Plywood : Exterior construction-grade plywood.
Possess : The physical possession of explosives on one’s person, or in the person’s vehicle, magazine or building.
Powder : A common synonym for explosive materials.
Primer : A unit, package, or cartridge of explosives used to initiate other explosives or blasting agents, which contains: 1) a detonator; or 2) detonating cord to which a detonator designed to initiate the detonating cord is attached.
Propellant/Powder-Actuated Power Device : Any tool or special mechanized device or gas generator system which is actuated by a propellant or which releases and directs work through a propellant charge. Public Conveyance : Any railroad car, streetcar, ferry, cab, bus, aircraft, or other vehicle carrying passengers for hire.
Public Highway : Shall mean any public street, public alley, or public road. Public Highway Distance : Shall mean the minimum distance permitted between a public highway and an explosives magazine.
Public Place : A place which the public or a substantial number of the public has access, and includes but is not limited to highways, transportation facilities, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and the common areas of public and private buildings and facilities. Purchaser : A Type II permittee who acquires explosives. Pyrotechnics : Any combustible or explosive compositions or manufactured articles designed and prepared for the purpose of producing audible or visible effects. Pyrotechnics are commonly referred to as fireworks.
Railway : Any steam, electric, or other railroad or railway. Responsible Person : A Type I permitted individual who is directly responsible for a Type II permittee’s compliance with the provisions of the explosives act, 9-7-101 to 111, C.R.S., and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Safety Fuse : A flexible cord containing an internal burning medium by which fire or flame is conveyed at a continuous and uniform rate from the point of ignition to a cut end. A fuse detonator is usually attached to that end, although safety fuse may be used without a detonator to ignite material such as deflagrating explosives.
Scaled Distance (Ds) : a factor relating similar blast effects from various weight charges of explosive material at various distances. Scaled Distance is obtained by dividing the distance of concern by a fractional power of the charge weight per delay of the explosive materials. Secured Storage : An area which is protected from weather and is theft-resistant and in compliance with the uniform fire code.
Semi-Conductive Hose : A hose used for pneumatic conveying of explosive materials, having an electrical resistance high enough to limit flow of stray electric currents to safe levels yet not so high as to prevent drainage of static electric charges to ground. A hose of not more than 2 megohms resistance over its entire length and of not less than 1,000 ohms per foot (3280 ohms per meter) meets this requirement. Sensitivity : A physical characteristic of an explosive material, classifying its ability to be initiated upon receiving an external impulse such as impact, shock, flame, or other influence which can cause explosive decomposition.
Shall : Means that the rule establishes a minimum standard which is mandatory. Shock Tube : A small diameter plastic tube containing reactive material used for initiating detonators. It contains only a limited amount of reactive material so that the energy that is transmitted through the tube by means of a detonation wave is guided through and confined within the walls of the tube. Site : Area where active blasting is taking place or the location of explosive storage magazines. Slurry/Water Gel : An explosive material containing substantial portions of a liquid, oxidizers, and fuel, plus a thickener.
Small Arms Ammunition : Any cartridge for shotgun, rifle, pistol, or revolver, and cartridges for propellant-actuated power device and industrial guns. Military-type ammunition containing explosive bursting charges, or any incendiary, tracer, spotting, or pyrotechnic projectile is excluded from this definition.
Softwood : Douglas Fir, or other wood of equal bullet-resistance, free of loose knots, wind shakes, or similar defects.
Spacing : The distance between boreholes. In bench blasting, the distance is measured parallel to the free face and perpendicular to the burden.
Static Electricity : Electric charge at rest on a person or object. It is most often produced by the contact and separation of dissimilar insulating materials.
Stemming : Inert material placed in a borehole on top of or between separate charges of explosive material. used for the purpose of confining explosive materials or to separate charges of explosive material in the same borehole.
Steel : General purpose (hot or cold rolled) low carbon steel such as specification ASTM A366 or equivalent.
Storage : The safekeeping of explosives in unattended magazines. Temporary Storage Magazine : a Type 1, Type 2, Type 4, or Type 5 magazine that is at a location for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days.
Theft-Resistant : Construction designed to deter illegal entry into facilities used for the storage of explosive material.
Two-component : See binary explosive.
Transportation : The conveyance or carrying of explosives from one place to another by means of a motorized vehicle or device.
Type I Permit : A permit issued by the Division of Oil and Public Safety to individuals who possess and control explosive materials during the use, manufacture, acquisition, purchase, sale, distribution, storage, transportation, or disposal of explosive materials.
Type II Permit : A permit issued by the Division of Oil and Public Safety to corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, individuals operating a business, associations, or state or local government agencies involved in the use, purchase, sale, manufacture, transportation, acquisition, distribution or disposal of explosives materials.
Type III Permit : A permit issued by the Division of Oil and Public Safety to corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, individuals operating a business, associations, or state or local government agencies for the storage of explosives in approved magazines.
Weather-Resistant : Construction designed to offer reasonable protection against weather. U.S. Department of Transportation Explosive Classifications For The Transportation Of Explosives:
Division 1.1: Mass Exploding (Class A explosives)
Division 1.2: Projection hazard(Class A or Class B Explosives) Division 1.3: Fire hazard, minor blast (Class B Explosives) or projection hazard Division 1.4: Minor explosion (Class C explosives) hazard-not mass exploding. Division 1.5: Insensitive explosives (Blasting Agents) very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning to detonation during transport.
CHAPTER II GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Miscellaneous Provisions
(A) No person shall sell, display, or expose for sale an explosive or blasting agent on any public way or public place.
(B) No person shall sell, deliver, or give possession and control of explosives materials to any person not in possession of a valid permit except an authorized for-hire commercial carrier transporting between two valid permit holders.
(C) No person shall sell, store, transport, use or otherwise possess or control any explosive material without the authorization of the lawful possessor of the explosive material. The lawful possessor shall file a written list of authorized Type I permittees with the Division and shall notify the Division of any changes in writing.
(D) Any theft or loss of explosives or blasting agents, whether from a storage magazine or area, a vehicle in which they are being transported, or from a site where they are being used, or from any other location, shall immediately (but in no event later than 24 hours) be reported by the person having control of such explosives or blasting agents to the local sheriff or local police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Section.
(E) All individuals, corporations, companies, firms, partnerships, associations, or state or local government agencies conducting an operation or activity requiring the use, possession, purchase, sale, manufacturing, storage, acquisition, distribution, transportation or disposal of any explosive materials shall: 1) obtain a permit from the Division of Oil and Public Safety prior to conducting such operation or activity and shall be responsible for the results and any other consequences of any loading and firing of the explosive materials; and 2) NOT delegate either performance of the blast or accountability for such performance to another person(s).
(F) The Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Section and local law enforcement authority shall be notified immediately by the permit holder of any accident, explosion, fire, or misuse of explosives which occurs in connection with the use, manufacture, possession, sale, transportation, storage or disposal of explosives and results in the loss of life, personal injury, or damage to any property.
(G) The Division of Oil and Public Safety may inspect the site where any accident, explosion, fire, misuse, theft or loss of explosives occurred.
(H) A Division of Oil and Public Safety representative may enter during normal business hours, without advance notice, the premises of any permit holder, including places of storage or use, for the purpose of inspecting or examining any records or documents required under these regulations, and any explosives material used or stored at the premises.
(I) All corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, individuals operating a business, associations, or state or local government agencies conducting blasting operations shall have a certificate of liability insurance, be named as an also insured on another liability insurance policy, or shall have obtained a signed release of liability for damages from blasting operations from all parties who may be potentially affected by blasting operations.
CHAPTER III EXPLOSIVES PERMIT
3.1 Basic Legal Obligations
(A) Except as specifically allowed by these regulations, it is unlawful for any person to use, possess and control, manufacture, purchase, sell, store, transport, or dispose of any explosive material without possessing a valid permit from the Division of Oil and Public Safety. 18-12-109 (2) and 9-7-101, et seq., C.R.S.
3.2 General Provisions
(A) Permits issued under these rules and regulations shall be dated and numbered. Each permit will indicate class of permit, and shall be valid for up to thirty-six (36) months after the date of issue unless revoked or suspended by the Division of Oil and Public Safety, and shall be renewed on or before the expiration date. The application for renewal of permits shall be made to the Division of Oil and Public Safety prior to the renewal date to avoid possible lapse of said permit. The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall send notice a minimum of sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date. The failure of the permittee to receive timely notice from the Division of Oil and Public Safety shall not excuse the permittee’s requirement to submit a renewal application not less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date.
(B) Upon notice from the Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety or any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, a person using, manufacturing, purchasing, selling, storing, transporting, disposing, or otherwise in possession and control of any explosives without a permit shall immediately surrender any and all such explosives to the Division of Oil and Public Safety or to the law enforcement agency designated by the Division of Oil and Public Safety.
(C) The Director shall require, as a condition precedent to the original issuance or renewal of any explosive permit, fingerprinting and criminal history record checks for every individual applicant. Fingerprints shall be submitted on forms provided to the applicant by the Division of Oil And Public Safety.
(D) No person shall withhold information or make any false statement or fictitious oral or written statement or furnish or exhibit any false, fictitious, or misrepresented identification, intended or likely to deceive for the purpose of obtaining or retaining an explosives permit.
(E) No person shall knowingly make any false entry in any record that a permit holder is required to keep pursuant to these regulations.
(F) When a permit has expired and has not been renewed the applicable County Sheriff’s Department shall be notified by the Division of Oil and Public Safety and the Type II permit holder must turn over any remaining explosives which the permit holder is in possession of directly to the Division or the law enforcement agency designated by the Division, or in the presence of the Division or the law enforcement agency designated by the Division, turn over any remaining explosives which the permit holder is in possession of to a valid Type II permit holder.
(G) All permit holders shall take every reasonable precaution to protect their permits from loss, theft, defacement, destruction, or unauthorized duplication. The loss or theft of any permit shall be reported immediately to the local law enforcement agency and to the Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Section.
3.3 Revocation, Suspension, or Denial of Permits.
(A) The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall not issue a permit to any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency who:
(B) The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall deny or revoke and not renew the permit of any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency charged with, or convicted of any of the following offenses:
(C) The Division of Oil and Public Safety may revoke and not renew the permit of any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency when the violation of any law or regulation relating to explosive material or the misuse of explosives materials results in loss of life or serious injury to any person.
(D) A permit may be denied, suspended, or revoked by the Division of Oil and Public Safety because of, but not limited to the following:
(E) The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall revoke the permit of any person adjudged to be mentally unstable, ill or insane, or to be incompetent due to any mental disability or disease. The Director shall not renew the permit until the person has been legally restored to competency.
3.4 Procedure on Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Explosives Permit
(A) In any case where the Division of Oil and Public Safety denies, suspends, or revokes a permit, the Director shall notify the applicant or permit holder in writing. Said notice shall state the reason for denial, suspension, or revocation and state that, upon a written request, a hearing shall be held. In case of revocation or suspension of a permit, the director shall notify all vendors of explosives of such revocation or suspension 24-4-104 C.R.S.
(B) Upon notice of the revocation or suspension of any permit, the former permit holder shall immediately surrender to the Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety the permit and all copies thereof. In addition, the former permit holder must surrender control of all explosive material in his/her possession to the designated law enforcement agency until a final determination on the charges is made.
(C) The hearing shall be conducted by the Director or an Administrative Law Judge with the Division of Administrative Hearings on behalf of the Director in accordance with the procedures of 24-4-105 C.R.S.
(D) Any person aggrieved by a decision or order of the Director of the Division may seek judicial review pursuant to the provisions of 24-4-106 C.R.S.
(E) The period of denial, suspension, or revocation shall be within the sound discretion of the Director.
(F) Any individual, corporation, company, firm, partnership, association, or state or local government agency who has been denied a permit may not reapply to the Division of Oil and Public Safety for an explosive permit within one year of the decision, unless exception is made by the Director and the applicant establishes a substantial change in circumstances to indicate fitness to hold an explosive permit in accordance with the requirements of these regulations, State and Federal law.
3.5 Permit Types and Classifications
Permits are separated according to type. A permit may have more than one designated classification, however, for each and every classification requested, applicant must show legitimate use and qualifications.
3.5.1 Type I Permit
(A) All individuals who possess and control explosive materials shall have a valid Type I permit issued by the Division of Oil and Public Safety.
(B) The requirements of permitting a Type I permittee shall be:
(C) The classification of permits the applicant may apply for shall be:
(D) Type I permittee qualifications:
(E) Type I permittee limitations:
3.5.2 Type II Permit
(A) Corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, individuals operating a business, associations, or state or local government agencies involved in the use, purchase, sale, manufacture, transportation, or disposal of explosives shall have a valid Type II permit.
(B) Only one Type II permit shall be required of any corporation, company, partnership, firm, individual operating a business, association, or state or local government agency, and may be issued for all or any of the following classifications:
3.5.3 Type III Storage Permit
(A) Corporations, companies, partnerships, firms, individuals operating a business, associations, or state or local government agencies that store explosives shall have a valid Type III permit.
(B) Storage permits shall be issued to those persons who have approved storage magazine sites.
(C) Approval by the Division of a permanent storage magazine site shall include a site inspection by a Division of Oil and Public Safety representative. Written notification of the location of the permanent storage magazine site shall be made to the applicable fire district or department.
(D) Approval by the Division of temporary magazine sites shall be made for a period not to exceed ninety
(E) An inspection shall be required at each permanent storage magazine site, at any added permanent storage magazine sites, and prior to the renewal of the Type III permit.
3.6 Permit Application
(A) Application for each type of original permit or renewal shall be made on forms available from the Division of Oil and Public Safety and shall provide the following information:
(B) Application forms may be obtained from the Public Safety Section office.
(C) The submission of an application shall be a certification by the Type I permit applicant that the applicant, or Type I permittee acting as the responsible person for the Type II or Type III permit applicant, has read, understands, accepts these regulations, and shall comply with all requirements of these regulations.
(D) Payment of the application fee required by section 9-7-107, C.R.S. must accompany each application for a permit.
(E) A check or money order for the fee shall be made payable to the Division of Oil and Public Safety and submitted to the address provided on the application.
(F) The applicant may be asked to supply additional information requested by the Division in order to verify statements in an application or in order to facilitate a Division inquiry prior to the issuance or renewal of a permit.
(G) Each Type II application for a manufacturer or dealer permit shall be accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s current federal license issued by The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
(H) The Type II application for a manufacturer or dealer permit shall list the location(s) in Colorado where explosives will be manufactured or from where explosives will be sold. This shall not be required for the manufacturers of binary explosives.
(I) A valid Type I permit shall be held by at least one of the individual owners, partners, managers or other designated individual for each classification of use requested on the Type II permit application.
(J) Each application for an original Type II permit or a renewal permit shall be accompanied by a list of valid Type I permittees authorized to possess and control explosives on behalf of the Type II permittee. The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall be notified of any changes of such Type I permittees.
(K) An application for a Type III storage permit shall include the location of all storage facilities and types of magazines to be utilized (L) Each application for a Type II permit to purchase shall have a list of Type I permittees authorized to order and receive explosives on behalf of the purchaser. The list of Type I permittees authorized to order and receive explosives on behalf of the purchaser shall be provided to dealers prior to the purchase of explosives.
(M) In addition to the application form, all new Type I applicants, all Type I applicants requesting a change in classification of their permit, and all Type I applicants who have not renewed their permit within 60 days after expiration will be required obtain a score of not less than 90% on a written examination prepared and administered by the Division of Oil and Public Safety. A Type I applicant failing the examination may retake the examination at any time. A Type I applicant failing the examination a second time must wait for a period of at least 30 days before retaking the exam.
(N) All Type I applicants renewing their permit are required to obtain a score of not less than 90% on a written examination prepared and administered by the Division of Oil and Public Safety every three (3) years or provide proof of sixteen (16) hours attendance during the previous three years in a training course pre-approved by the Division of Oil and Public Safety.
(O) The Division shall obtain a photograph of Type I permit applicants.
(P) Upon receipt of an incomplete application or an application requiring additional information, the applicant will be notified of the deficiency or additional requirements. If the deficiency is not corrected or if the Division does not receive the additional information within 180 days following the date of notification, the application shall be considered abandoned and the Division shall not retain the application.
(Q) Upon receipt of a completed Type I application the applicant will be sent an exam notification. If the Type I permit applicant fails to complete the exam within 180 days of the exam notification, the application shall be considered abandoned and the Division shall not retain the application.
(R) A Type I renewal applicant must complete the exam, if required, within 180 days of the date of the renewal notification letter sent by the Division. Should the renewal applicant fail to complete the exam within 180 days of the date of the renewal letter, the application shall be considered abandoned and the Division shall not retain the application.
3.7 Protection and Exhibition of Permits
Permit holders shall take every reasonable precaution to protect their permits from loss, theft, defacement, destruction, or unauthorized duplication.
The loss or theft of any permit shall be reported immediately to the local law enforcement agency and to the Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Section. Permits, or copies thereof, shall be exhibited in conformity with the following provisions:
(A) Manufacturer - the permit shall be posted at the facility where explosives or blasting agents are manufactured. Manufacturing permits for bulk mix trucks shall be posted in the office of the permit holder.
(B) Dealer- the permit shall be posted in the office at the location where explosives or blasting agents are sold.
(C) Purchaser - the permit or a copy of the permit must be displayed at magazine/warehouse where explosives or blasting agents are received and stored.
(D) User - the permit shall be posted in the main office of explosives operations.
(E) Storage - a copy of the permit must be displayed at the office, warehouse, or in at least one magazine where explosives or blasting agents are received for storage.
(F) A Type I permit card shall be carried by the Type I permittee at all times when using, transporting, or possessing explosives and presented to representatives of the Division and law enforcement officials, upon request, together with valid personal identification.
3.8 Records of Transactions
General : All permit holders shall keep a complete record of all transactions in, or operations involving explosives for five years following the year in which the transactions or operations involving explosives or blasting agents occurred. The permit holders must retain copies thereof and furnish such copies to the Division of Oil and Public Safety during normal business hours upon request. When the permit holder is employed by another person who holds a valid permit, the records of the employer shall be deemed to satisfy these record-keeping requirements.
3.8.1 The records of a person having a Permit to Manufacture explosives or blasting agents shall include the following information:
3.8.2 The records of a person having a Permit for Dealer shall include the following information:
3.8.3 A person holding a Type II permit to Use explosives or blasting agents shall maintain a record of all explosives material transactions including a daily inventory record of all explosives received, removed from, or returned to each storage magazine in accordance with 4.2(F)(6) of these regulations, and records completed by Type I permittees in accordance with 6.1(U) and 7.3(B) (11).
3.8.4 Type I permittees shall complete and sign records of explosives used in accordance with 6.1 (U) or 7.3(B)(11) of these regulations.
3.9 Permit Changes
The Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Section shall be notified immediately when:
(A) There is a change in the permittee’s permanent address;
(B) There is a change in the name of a permittee, or a change in the Type I permitted owner(s), manager(s), or other designated individual(s) acting as the responsible person of any Type II or Type III permittee.
(C) The location of a explosives storage facility is changed or added and the address of the new location shall be provided.
(D) There is a change in the Type II permitted employer or association for whom the Type I permittee will possess and control explosive materials.
(E) There is a change in Type I permitted individuals authorized to possess and control explosives on behalf of a Type II permittee.
3.10 Explosives Sales To Permittees
(A) When an order for explosives is placed by a purchaser, the dealer shall request proper authorization and identification from the purchaser and shall record the purchaser’s permit number on sales record.
(B) The purchaser shall provide to the dealer a list of Type I permittees authorized to order and receive explosives on behalf of the purchaser. A dealer shall not distribute explosive materials to a company or individual on the order of a person who does not appear on the up to date list of authorized Type I permittees and if the person does appear on the list, the dealer shall verify the identity of such person.
(C) The authorized Type I permittee who physically receives the purchased explosives shall present his permit and proper identification to the dealer. The receiver of the explosives shall sign a receipt documenting the explosives received with his legal signature and permit number.
(D) All such receipts shall be retained by the dealer for not less than five years from the date of purchase.
(E) The dealer shall keep a record of all explosives purchased and sold as required by Federal Regulations.
(F) Any package containing any explosive or blasting agent that is sold or is delivered for shipment by a dealer shall be properly labeled in accordance with 9-6-105 C.R.S. to indicate its explosive classification.
CHAPTER IV STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
4.1 Classes of Explosive Materials
For purposes of this section, there are three classes of explosive materials. These classes, together with the description of explosive materials comprising each class, are as follows:
(A) High Explosives - Explosive materials which can be caused to detonate by means of a detonator when unconfined (e.g., dynamite and detonators, cap-sensitive slurry/water gels and emulsions, and mixed binaries).
(B) Low Explosives - Explosive materials which can be caused to deflagrate when confined (e.g., black powder, igniters, igniter cords, fuse lighters, and “special fireworks” - defined as Class B (1.3) explosives by US Department of Transportation Regulations in 49 CFR).
(B) Blasting Agents - Example: Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil mixture, non-cap-sensitive slurry/water gels and emulsion products.
4.2 General Provisions
(A) All explosive materials, and special industrial explosive materials, and any newly developed and unclassified explosive materials shall be kept in magazines which meet the requirements as defined in these regulations unless they are in the process of manufacture, being physically handled in the operating process, being used, or being transported to a place of storage or use.
(B) High Explosives shall not be stored unattended outdoors, or in any building or structure, except in a Type 1 or Type 2 magazine.
(C) Detonators that will not mass detonate (1.4S and 1.4B classification) and are in the original and closed shipping container may also be stored in a Type 4 magazine.
(D) The requirements for the storage of binary explosives shall be:
(E) Detonators shall not be stored in the same magazine in which other explosives are kept or stored except under the following circumstances:
(F) Inventory and Responsibility
(G) Surrounding Area
(H) Temporary storage at a site for blasting operations shall be located away from neighboring inhabited buildings, railways, highways, and other magazines in accordance with the American Table of Distance.
(I) Storage within magazines
(J) Lighting within magazines
4.3 Summary of Storage Requirements
TYPE 5( PORTABLE, BLASTING AGENTS MOBILE OR FIXED)
4.4 Storage Magazine Construction by Type
(1) Over the road trucks or semi-trailers used as Type 5 magazines for temporary storage need not be fire resistant.
Type 1 Storage A Type 1 magazine shall be a permanent structure, e.g., a building, an igloo or Army-type structure, a tunnel, or a dugout. It shall be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, weather-resistant, theft-resistant, and ventilated.
Buildings : All building-type magazines shall be constructed of masonry, wood, metal, or a combination of these materials and shall have no openings except for entrances and ventilation. The ground around building magazines shall slope away for drainage or other adequate drainage shall be provided. Masonry Wall Construction : Masonry wall construction shall consist of brick, concrete, tile, cement block, or cinder block and shall be not less than 8 inches in thickness. Hollow masonry units used in construction shall have all hollow spaces filled with well-tamped, coarse, dry sand or weak concrete (at least 1 part cement + 8 parts of sand with enough water to dampen the mixture while tamping in place). Interior walls shall be constructed of, or covered with a non-sparking material. Fabricated Metal Wall Construction : Metal wall construction shall consist of sectional sheets of steel or aluminum not less than #14 gauge, securely fastened to a metal framework. Metal wall construction shall be either lined inside with brick, solid cement blocks, hardwood not less than 4 inches thick, or shall have at least a 6-inch sand-fill between interior and exterior walls. Interior walls shall be constructed of, or covered with a non-sparking material.
Wood Frame Wall Construction : The exterior of outer wood walls shall be covered with steel or aluminum not less than #26 gauge. An inner wall of, or covered with non-sparking material shall be constructed so as to provide a space of not less than 6 inches between the outer and inner walls. The space shall be filled with coarse, dry sand or weak concrete. Floors : Floors shall be constructed of, or covered with a non-sparking material and shall be strong enough to bear the weight of the maximum quantity materials to be stored. Use of pallets covered with a non-sparking material is considered equivalent to a floor constructed of, or covered with a non-sparking material.
Foundations : Foundations shall be constructed of brick, concrete, cement block, stone, or wood posts. If piers or posts are used in lieu of a continuous foundation, the space under the buildings shall be enclosed with metal.
Roof : Except for buildings with fabricated metal roofs, the outer roof shall be covered with no less than #26 gauge steel or aluminum fastened to 7/8- inch sheathing. Bullet-Resistant Ceilings on Roofs : Where it is possible for a bullet to be fired directly through the roof and into the magazine at such an angle that the bullet would strike the explosive within, the magazine shall be protected by one of following methods:
Doors: All doors shall be constructed of ¼ inch plate steel and lined with 3 inches of hardwood. Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside of door). They shall be installed in such a manner that the hinges and hasps cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with 1) two mortise locks; 2) two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; 3) a combination of a mortise lock and a padlock; 4) a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or 5) a three-point lock. Padlocks shall have at least 5 tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8 inch in diameter. Padlocks shall be protected with ¼ inch sheet hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks, hasps, and staples. These requirements shall not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside.
Ventilation : Ventilation shall be provided to prevent dampness and heating of stored explosive materials. Ventilation openings shall be screened to prevent the entrance of sparks. Ventilation openings in sidewalls and foundations shall be offset or shielded for bullet-resistance purposes. Magazines having foundation and roof ventilators with the air circulating between the side walls and the floors and between the side walls and the ceiling shall have a wooden lattice lining or equivalent to prevent the packages of explosive materials from being stacked against the side walls and blocking the air circulation. Exposed Metal : No sparking material shall be exposed to contact with the stored explosive materials. All ferrous metal nails in the floor and sidewalls which might be exposed to contact with explosive materials shall be blind nailed, countersunk, or covered with a non-sparking latticework or other non-sparking material.
Igloos, Army-Type Structures, Tunnels, & Dugouts : Igloo, Army-type structure, tunnel, and dugout magazines shall be constructed of reinforced concrete, masonry, metal, or a combination of these materials. They shall have an earth mound covering of not less than 24 inches on the top, sides, and rear unless the ceiling or roof meets the bullet-resistant ceiling or roof requirements of this section. Interior walls shall be constructed of, or covered with a non-sparking material. Magazines of this type shall also be constructed in conformity with the requirements of the floors, doors, locks, ventilation, and exposed metal portions outlined in this section.
Type 2 Storage A Type 2 magazine shall be a portable or mobile structure such as a box, skid-magazine, trailer, or semi- trailer.
(A) Outdoor Magazines General : Outdoor magazines shall be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, weather-resistant, theft-resistant, and ventilated. They shall be supported to prevent direct contact with the ground and, if less than one cubic yard in size, shall be securely fastened to a fixed object. The ground around outdoor magazines shall slope away for drainage or other adequate drainage shall be provided. When unattended, vehicular magazines shall have wheels removed or shall otherwise be effectively immobilized by methods approved by the Director.
Exterior Construction : The exterior and covers or doors shall be constructed of ¼ inch sheet metal and shall be lined with 3 inches of hardwood. Magazines with top openings shall have lids with water-resistant seals or which overlap the sides by at least one inch when in a closed position. Hinges & Hasps : Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside of door). Hinges and hasps shall be installed so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with (1) two mortise locks; (2) two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; (3) a combination of a mortise lock and a padlock; (4) a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or (5) a three-point lock. Padlocks shall have at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter. Padlocks shall be protected with ¼-inch steel hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks, hasps, and staples. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside.
Ventilation : Ventilation shall be provided to prevent dampness and heating of stored explosive materials. Ventilation openings shall be screened to prevent the entrance of sparks. Ventilation openings in sidewalls shall be offset or shielded for bullet-resistance purposes. Packages of explosive materials shall not be stacked against the side walls and block the air circulation.
(B) Indoor Magazines General : Indoor magazines shall be fire-resistant and theft-resistant if the buildings in which they are stored provide protection from the weather and from bullet penetration. Indoor magazines shall be at least one cubic yard in size, or securely fasted to a fixed object. No indoor magazine may be located in a residence or dwelling. The indoor storage of high explosives may not exceed a quantity of 50 pounds. More than one indoor magazine may be located in the same building if the magazines are separated by a distance of 10 feet and the total quantity of all explosives material stored does not exceed 50 pounds. Detonators shall be stored in separate magazines.
Exterior Construction : Indoor magazines shall be constructed of wood or metal according to one of the following specifications:
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with (1) two mortise locks; (2) two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; (3) a combination of a mortise lock and a padlock; (4) a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or (5) a three-point lock. Padlocks shall have at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter. Padlocks shall be protected with ¼-inch steel hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks hasps, and staples. Indoor magazines located in secure rooms that are locked as provided in this paragraph, may have each door or opening locked with one steel padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) having at least five tumblers and a case- hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter, if the lock hinges and hasps are securely fastened to the magazine and to the door frame. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside. ALTERNATE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 MAGAZINES It has been determined that a wide range of construction criteria meet the bullet-resistant requirements of ATF rule 76-18 as published in Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department Of The Treasury, Publication ATF p 5400.7 (September 2000) for the construction of storage facilities for explosive materials.
In order to promote standards of safety and security in the storage of explosive materials while allowing the industry a wide latitude in the selection of construction materials, it is held that storage facilities (magazines) that are constructed according to the following minimum specifications are bullet-resistant and meet the requirements of the regulations as set forth in 27 CFR Part 55 (all steel and wood dimensions are actual thicknesses. To meet the concrete block and brick dimensions indicated, the manufacturers’ represented thicknesses may be used).
(a) exterior of 5/8 inch steel, lined with an interior of any type of nonsparking material.
(b) exterior of 1/2 inch steel, lined with an interior of not less than 3/8 inch plywood.
(c) exterior of 3/8 inch steel, lined with an interior of two inches of hardwood.
(d) exterior of 3/8 inch steel, lined with an interior of three inches of softwood or 2 1/4 inches of plywood.
(e) exterior of 1/4 inch steel, lined with an interior of three inches of hardwood.
(f) exterior of 1/4 inch steel, lined with an interior of five inches of softwood or 5 1/4 inches of plywood.
(g) exterior of 1/4 inch steel, lined with an intermediate layer of two inches of hardwood and an interior lining of 1 1/2 inches of plywood.
(h) exterior of 3/16 inch steel, lined with an interior of four inches of hardwood.
(i) exterior of 3/16 inch steel, lined with an interior of seven inches of softwood or 6 3/4 inches of plywood.
(j) exterior of 3/16 inch steel, lined with an intermediate layer of three inches of hardwood and an interior lining of 3/4 inch of plywood.
(k) exterior of 1/8 inch steel, lined with an interior of five inches of hardwood.
(l) exterior of 1/8 inch steel, lined with an interior of nine inches of softwood.
(m) exterior of 1/8 inch steel, lined with an intermediate layer of four inches of hardwood and an interior lining of 3/4 inch plywood.
(n) exterior of any type of fire-resistant material which is structurally sound, lined with an intermediate layer of four inches of solid concrete block, or four inches of solid brick or four inches of solid concrete; and, an interior lining of 1/2 inch plywood placed securely against the masonry lining.
(o) standard eight inch concrete block with voids filled with well-tamped sand/cement mixture.
(p) standard eight inch solid brick.
(q) exterior of any type of fire-resistant material which is structurally sound, lined with an intermediate six inch space filled with well-tamped dry sand or well-tamped sand/cement mixture.
(r) exterior of 1/8 inch steel, lined with a first intermediate layer of 3/4 inch plywood, a second intermediate layer of 3 5/8 inches of well-tamped dry sand or sand/cement mixture and an interior lining of 3/4 inch plywood.
(s) exterior of any type of fire-resistant material, lined with a first intermediate layer of 3/4 inch plywood, a second intermediate layer of 3 5/8 inches well tamped dry sand or sand/cement mixture, a third intermediate layer of 3/4 inch plywood, and a fourth intermediate layer of two inches of hardwood or 14 gauge steel and an interior lining of 3/4 inch plywood.
(t) eight inch thick solid concrete.
Type 3 Storage A Type 3 magazine shall be a “day-box” or other portable magazine. It shall be fire-resistant, weather- resistant, and theft-resistant. A Type 3 magazine shall be constructed of number 12-gauge steel lined with either ½ inch plywood or ½ inch Masonite-type hardboard. Doors shall overlap sides by at least one inch. Hinges and hasps shall be attached by welding, riveting or bolting (nuts on inside). A single lock having at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8 inch diameter shall be sufficient for locking purposes. Explosive materials may not be left unattended in Type 3 magazines, but must be removed to a Type 1 or 2 magazines for unattended storage.
Type 4 Storage A Type 4 magazine shall be a building, igloo or Army-type structure, tunnel, dugout, box, trailer, or a semi- trailer or other mobile magazine.
(A) Outdoor magazines General : Outdoor magazines shall be fire-resistant, weather-resistant, theft-resistant, ventilated and shall be at least one cubic yard in size, or securely fasted to a fixed object. The ground around outdoor magazines shall slope away for drainage or other adequate drainage shall be provided. When unattended, vehicular magazines shall have wheels removed or shall otherwise be effectively immobilized by other methods approved by the director.
Construction : Outdoor magazines shall be constructed of masonry, metal-covered wood, fabricated metal, or a combination of these materials. Foundation shall be constructed of brick, concrete, cement block, stone, or metal or wood posts. If piers or posts are used, in lieu of a continuous foundation, the space under the buildings shall be enclosed with fire-resistant material. The walls and floors shall be constructed of, or covered with, a nonsparking material or lattice work. The doors or covers shall be metal or solid wood covered with metal.
Hinges and hasps : Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside of door). Hinges and hasps shall be installed so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with (1) two mortise locks; (2) two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; (3) a combination of a mortise lock and a padlock; (4) a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or (5) a three-point lock. Padlocks shall have at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter. Padlocks shall be protected with ¼-inch steel hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks, hasps, and staples. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or a bar that cannot be actuated from the outside.
Ventilation : Ventilation shall be provided to prevent dampness and heating of stored explosive materials. Ventilation openings shall be offset or shielded and screened to prevent the entrance of sparks. The packages of explosive materials shall not be stacked against the side walls and block the air circulation.
(B) Indoor Magazines General : Indoor magazines shall be fire-resistant and theft-resistant and shall be at least one cubic yard in size, or securely fasted to a fixed object. They need not be weather-resistant if the buildings in which they are stored provide protection from the weather. No indoor magazine may be located in a residence or dwelling. The indoor storage of low explosives may not exceed a quantity of 50 pounds. More than one indoor magazine may be located in the same building if the magazines are separated by a distance of 10 feet and the total quantity of all explosive materials stored does not exceed 50 pounds. Detonators that will not mass detonate shall be stored in separate magazines and the total number of detonators may not exceed 5,000.
Construction : Indoor magazines shall be constructed of masonry, metal-covered wood, fabricated metal, or a combination of these materials. The walls and floors shall be constructed of, or covered with, a nonsparking material. The doors or covers shall be metal or solid wood covered with metal. Hinges & Hasps : Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside of door). Hinges and hasps shall be installed so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with (1) two mortise locks; (2) two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; (3) a combination of a mortise lock and padlock; (4) a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or (5) a three-point lock. Padlocks shall have at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter. Padlocks shall be protected with ¼-inch steel hoods constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks, hasps, and staples. Indoor magazines located in secure rooms that are locked as provided in this paragraph, may have each door or opening locked with one steel padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) having at least five tumblers and a case- hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter, if the lock hinges and hasps are securely fastened to the magazine and to the door frame. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside. Type 5 Storage A Type 5 magazine shall be a building, igloo or army-type structure, tunnel, dugout, bin, box, trailer, or a semitrailer or other mobile facility.
(A) Outdoor Magazines General : Outdoor magazines shall be weather-resistant, fire-resistant and theft-resistant. Over the road trucks or semi-trailers used as Type 5 magazines for temporary storage magazines need not be fire resistant. The ground around magazines shall slope away for drainage or other adequate drainage shall be provided. When unattended, vehicular magazines shall have wheels removed or shall otherwise be effectively immobilized by kingpin locking devices or other methods approved by the Director. Construction : The doors or covers shall be constructed of solid wood or metal. Hinges & Hasps : Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside of door). Hinges and hasps shall be installed so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with one (1) padlock having at least five tumblers and a case- hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter. Indoor magazines located in secure rooms that are locked as provided in this paragraph, may have each door or opening locked with one steel padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) having at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter, if the lock hinges and hasps are securely fastened to the magazine and to the door frame. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside.
(B) Indoor Magazines General : Indoor magazines shall be theft-resistant. They need not be weather-resistant if the buildings in which they are stored provide protection from the weather. No indoor magazine may be located in a residence or dwelling. Indoor magazines containing quantities of blasting agents in excess of 50 pounds shall be subject to the Tables of Distances in 4.6 of this subpart. Construction : The doors or covers shall be constructed of wood or metal. Hinges and hasps : Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors by welding, riveting, or bolting (nuts on inside). Hinges and hasps shall be installed so that they cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.
Locks : Each door shall be equipped with one (1) padlock having at least five tumblers and a case- hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter.
Indoor magazines located in secure rooms that are locked as provided in this paragraph, may have each door or opening locked with one steel padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) having at least five tumblers and a case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8-inch diameter, if the lock hinges and hasps are securely fastened to the magazine and to the door frame. These requirements do not apply to magazine doors that are adequately secured on the inside by means of a bolt, lock, or bar that cannot be actuated from the outside.
4.5 Location of Magazines
(A) Outdoor magazines in which high explosives are stored shall be located no closer to inhabited buildings, passenger railways, public highways, or other magazines in which high explosives are stored than the minimum distances specified in the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosive Materials in 4.6.
(B) Outdoor magazines in which low explosives are stored shall be located no closer to inhabited buildings, passenger railways, public highways, or other magazines in which explosives are stored than the minimum distances specified in the American Table of Distances for Storage of Low Explosives in 4.6. The distances shown therein may not be reduced by the presence of barricades.
(C) Outdoor magazines in which blasting agents are stored shall be located no closer to inhabited buildings, passenger railways, or public highways than the minimum distances specified in the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosive Materials in 4.6.
(C) Ammonium nitrate and magazines in which blasting agents are stored shall be located no closer to magazines in which high explosives or other blasting agents are stored than the minimum distances specified in the American Table of Distances for the Separation of Ammonium Nitrate and Blasting Agents in 4.6. However, the minimum distances for magazines in which explosives and blasting agents are stored from inhabited buildings, etc, may not be less than the distances specified in the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosive Materials in 4.6
4.6 American Table of Distance For the Storage of Explosive Material
EXPLANATORY NOTES ESSENTIAL TO THE APPLICATION OF THE AMERICAN TABLE OF DISTANCES FOR STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS NOTE 1 “Explosive materials” means explosives, blasting agents and detonators. NOTE 2 “Explosives” means any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. For quantity and distance purposes, detonating cord of 50 grains per foot should be calculated as equivalent to 8 lbs. of high explosives per 1,000 feet. Heavier or lighter core loads should be rated proportionately. NOTE 3 “Blasting agents” means any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting, not otherwise defined as an explosive: Provided, That the finished product. as mixed for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a No.8 test blasting cap when unconfined. NOTE 4 “Detonator” means any device containing any initiating or primary explosive that is used for initiating detonation. A detonator may not contain more than 10 grams of total explosives by weight, excluding ignition or delay charges. The term includes, but is not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, electronic detonators, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating cord delay connectors, and nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting caps which use detonating cord, shock tube, or any other replacement for electric leg wires. All types of detonators in strengths through No.8 cap should be rated at 1 1/2 lbs. of explosives per 1,000 caps. For strengths higher than No.8 cap consult the manufacturer. NOTE 5 “Magazine” means any building, structure, or container, other than an explosives manufacturing building, approved for the storage of explosive materials. NOTE 6 “Natural Barricade” means natural features of the ground. such as hills, or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the magazine when the trees are bare of leaves.
NOTE 7 “Artificial Barricade” means an artificial mound or revetted wall of earth of a minimum thickness of three feet.
NOTE 8 “Barricaded” means the effective screening of a building containing explosive materials from the magazine or other building, railway, or highway by a natural or an artificial barrier. A straight line from the top of any sidewall of the building containing explosive materials to the eave line of any magazine or other building or to a point twelve feet above the center of a railway or highway shall pass through such barrier.
NOTE 9 “Inhabited Building” means a building regularly occupied in whole or part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store, or other structure where people are accustomed to assemble, except any building or structure occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage or use of explosive materials. NOTE 10 “Railway” means any steam, electric, or other railroad or railway which carries passengers for hire.
NOTE 11 “Highway” means any public street, public alley, or public road. NOTE 12 When two or more storage magazines are located on the same property. each magazine must comply with the minimum distances specified from inhabited buildings, railways. and highways, and, in addition, they should be separated from each other by not less than the distances shown for “Separation of Magazines,” except that the quantity of explosive materials contained in detonator magazines shall govern in regard to the spacing of said detonator magazines from magazines containing other explosive materials. If any two or more magazines are separated from each other by less than the specified “Separation of Magazines” distances, then such two or more magazines, as a group, must be considered as one magazine, and the total quantity of explosive materials stored in such group must be treated as if stored in a single magazine located on the site of any magazine of the group, and must comply with the minimum of distances specified from other magazines, inhabited buildings, railways, and highways. NOTE 13 Storage in excess of 300,000 lbs. of explosive materials, in one magazine is generally not required for commercial enterprises.
NOTE 14 This Table applies only to the manufacture and permanent storage of commercial explosive materials. It is not applicable to transportation of explosives or any handling or temporary storage necessary or incident thereto. It is not intended to apply to bombs, projectiles, or other heavily encased explosives.
NOTE 15 When a manufacturing building on an explosive materials plant site is designed to contain explosive materials, such building shall be located from inhabited buildings, public highways and passenger railways in accordance with the American Table of Distances based on the maximum quantity of explosive materials permitted to be in the building at one time. AMERICAN TABLE OF DISTANCES The American Table of Distances applies to the manufacture and permanent storage of commercial explosive materials. The distances specified are those measured from the explosive materials storage facility to the inhabited building, highway or passenger railway, irrespective of property lines. The American Table of Distances covers all commercial explosive materials, including, but not limited to, high explosives, blasting agents, detonators, initiating systems and explosives materials in process. The Table is not designed to be altered or adjusted to accommodate varying explosive characteristics such as blast effect, weight strength. density, bulk strength, detonation velocity, etc. The American Table of Distances should not be used to determine safe distances for blasting work, the firing of explosive charges for testing or quality control work, or the open detonation of waste explosive materials. The American Table of Distances may be utilized as a guide for developing distances for the unconfined, open burning of waste explosive materials where the probability of transition from burning to high order detonation is improbable.
Notes to Table of Recommended Separation Distances of Ammonium Nitrate and Blasting Agents from Explosives or Blasting Agents NOTE 1 Recommended separation distances to prevent explosion of ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate-based blasting agents by propagation from nearby stores of high explosives or blasting agents referred to in the Table as the “donor.” Ammonium nitrate, by itself, is not considered to be a donor when applying this Table. Ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrate-fuel oil or combinations thereof are acceptors. If Stores of ammonium nitrate are located within the sympathetic detonation distance of explosives or blasting agents, one-half the mass of the ammonium nitrate should be included in the mass of the donor.
NOTE 2 When the ammonium nitrate and/or blasting agent is not barricaded, the distances shown in the Table shall be multiplied by six. These distances allow for the possibility of high velocity metal fragments from mixers, hoppers, truck bodies, sheet metal structures, metal containers, and the like which may enclose the “donor.” Where storage is in bullet-resistant magazines is recommended for explosives or where the storage is protected by a bullet-resistant wall, distances and barricade thicknesses in excess of those prescribed in the American Table of Distances are not required.
NOTE 3 The distances in the Table apply to ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate based materials that show “negative” (-) result in the UN Test Series 2 Gap Test and show “positive” (+) result in the UN Test Series 1 Gap Test. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate based materials that are DOT hazard Class 1 sensitive shall be stored at separation distances determined by the American Table of Distances.
NOTE 4 These distances apply to blasting agents which pass the insensitivity test prescribed in regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
NOTE 5 Earth, or sand dikes, or enclosures filled with the prescribed minimum thickness of earth or sand are acceptable artificial barricades. Natural barricades, such as hills or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the “donor” when the trees are bare of leaves, are also acceptable. NOTE 6 For determining the distances to be maintained from inhabited buildings, passenger railways, and public highways, use the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosives Materials on pages 58 and 59.
1 For construction of bullet-resistant magazines see Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Publication ATF P 5400.7 (9/00), ATF-Explosives Law and Regulations . CHAPTER V TRANSPORTATION OF EXPLOSIVES
5.1 General Provisions
(A) Transportation of explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies on public highways, railways, and airways shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title 42 article 20 Colorado Revised Statutes and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; and Title 49 CFR Parts 171-179, and Parts 390-397, Motor Carriers.
(B) Requirements for the transportation of explosives, blasting agents and blasting supplies by motorized vehicle or conveyance on job sites shall be:
(C) Requirements for the transportation of explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies to blasting areas by non-motorized means shall be:
CHAPTER VI USE OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
6.1 General Provisions
(A) While explosives are being handled or used, smoking, matches, or any other source of fire or flame shall not be within 50 feet of the blast site.
(D) No person shall handle explosives while under the influence of intoxicating liquors, narcotics, or other dangerous drugs. This rule does not apply to persons taking prescription drugs and/or narcotics as directed by a physician providing such use shall not endanger the worker or others.
(C) When blasting is done in populated or residential areas or in close proximity to a structure, railway, or highway or any other installation that may be damaged the following precautions shall be taken:
(D) Blasters conducting blasting operations shall take every reasonable precaution, including but not limited to warning signals, flags and barricades to insure the safety of the general public and workers.
(E) Surface blasting operations shall be conducted during periods of daylight, when the blast area is clearly visible. Blasting operations conducted after periods of daylight shall be approved by the Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety and local law enforcement agency prior to each blast. Approval shall only be granted if such approval serves the safety of the general public.
(F) The blaster shall perform all required notification to and obtain all required permits from local jurisdictions or authorities, including, but not limited to, the County Sheriff, local fire districts and fire departments before beginning blasting operations.
(G) Whenever blasting operations are subject to both state and local rules, the higher standard shall apply.
(H) Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of gas, electric, water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph, steam utilities, or transportation corridors, the blaster shall notify the appropriate transportation or utility representatives at least twenty-four hours in advance of blasting, specifying the location and intended time of such blasting.
(I) The blaster shall suspend all blasting operations and remove all persons from the blast site during the approach and progress of an electric storm.
(J) No fire shall be fought where the fire is in imminent danger of contact with explosives. All employees shall be removed to a safe area and the fire area guarded against intruders.
(K) Detonators or other explosives shall never be carried in pockets of clothing.
(L) Detonators shall not be inserted in explosive materials that do not have a cap well without first making a hole in the cartridge with a non-sparking punch of proper size, or the appropriate pointed handle of a cap crimper.
(M) The detonator shall be secured within the primer so that no tension is placed on the leg wires, safety fuse, shock tube, plastic tubing or detonating cord at the point of entry into the detonator.
(N) The detonator shall be fully inserted into the primer cartridge or booster and shall not protrude from the cartridge.
(O) Cast primers and boosters shall not be used if the hole is too small for the detonator, and attempting to enlarge the hole in a cast primer or booster shall not be permissible.
(P) Primers are not to be prepared in a magazine or near large quantities of explosive materials.
(Q) Explosives and blasting agents shall be kept separated from detonators until the charge is placed.
(R) Only non-sparking metallic slitters may be used for opening fiberboard cases.
(S) Cartridges or packages of explosives show signs of discoloration or deterioration must be carefully set aside and properly disposed of in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
(T) No explosive material shall be abandoned or left in any location for any reason, nor left in such a manner that they may easily be obtained by children or other unauthorized persons. All unused explosives shall be returned to proper storage facilities.
(U) A record of each blast shall be kept. All records including seismograph reports shall be retained at least five years and shall be available for inspection by the Division of Oil and Public Safety, and shall contain at least the following minimum data as applicable:
*not required for special Use permit operations.
6.2. Drilling and Loading (A) Procedures that permit safe and efficient loading shall be established before the loading of explosive materials is started.
(B) All boreholes shall be sufficiently large to admit freely the insertion of the cartridges of explosives.
(C) Tamping shall be done only with wooden rods or with approved plastic tamping poles without exposed metal parts, but non-sparking metal connectors may be used for jointed poles. Violent tamping shall be avoided. The primer shall never be tamped.
(D) No boreholes shall be loaded except those to be fired in the next round of blasting. After loading, all remaining explosive materials shall be immediately returned to magazines or day boxes.
(E) No explosives or blasting agents shall be left unattended on a blast site.
(F) Drilling shall not be started until all remaining butts of old boreholes are examined for unexploded charges, and if any are found, they shall be refired or removed before work proceeds. (G No person shall be allowed to deepen boreholes that have contained explosives or blasting agents.
(H) Drilling shall not be conducted where there is a danger of intersecting a loaded borehole or misfired explosive material.
(I) Equipment, machines and all tools not used for loading explosives into boreholes shall be removed from the immediate location of boreholes being loaded with explosives. Equipment shall not be operated within 50 feet of loaded boreholes except when equipment is needed to add cover or mats.
(J) Loaded boreholes shall not be left unattended.
(K) The Type I permittee shall maintain an accurate, up-to-date record of explosives, blasting agents, and all blasting supplies used in a blast and shall keep an accurate running inventory of all explosives and blasting agents stored on the operation.
(L) Pneumatic loading of blasting agents into blast holes primed with electric detonators or other static- sensitive initiation systems shall conform to the following requirements:
(M) Primers shall be made up immediately prior to placing the primer in the borehole.
(N) Dropping or pushing a primer or any explosive with a lighted fuse attached into a borehole is prohibited.
(O) Detonators shall not be loaded into a hot hole or exposed to temperatures above 1500 F unless specifically designed and approved by the manufacturer for higher temperatures. 6.3. Electric Initiation of Blasts (A) Electric detonators may be used for blasting operations in congested districts, or on highways, or adjacent to highways open to traffic, except where sources of extraneous electricity make such use dangerous.
(B) Electric detonator wires shall be kept short-circuited (shunted) until they are connected into the circuit for firing.
(C) Signs shall be posted warning against the use of mobile radio transmitters on all adjacent highways and roads.
(D) Mobile radio transmitters that are less than 100 feet away from electric detonators shall be de- energized and effectively locked when the detonators are in other than original containers.
(E) Electric detonators shall be used in compliance with the recommendations of The Institute of the Makers of Explosives (IME) with regard to blasting in the vicinity of radio transmitters as stipulated in Radio Frequency Energy- -A Potential Hazard in the Use of Electric Detonators (Blasting Caps), IME Safety Library Publication No. 20, JULY 2001.
(F) Precautions in accordance with the recommendations of The Institute Of The Makers Of Explosives
(G) Before adopting any system of electrical firing, the blaster shall conduct a thorough survey for extraneous currents, and all dangerous currents shall be eliminated before any holes are loaded.
(H) In any single blast using electric detonators, all detonators shall be of the same style or function and be of the same manufacture.
(I) Electric blasting shall be carried out by using blasting circuits or power circuits in accordance with the electric detonator manufacturer’s recommendations.
(J) The firing line shall be checked with an approved testing device at the terminals before being connected to the blasting machine or other power source.
(K) The circuit including all detonators shall be tested with an approved testing device before being connected to the firing line.
(L) When firing a circuit of electric detonators, care shall be exercised to ensure that an adequate quantity of delivered current is available, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.
(M) Connecting wires and lead wires shall be insulated single solid wires of sufficient current-carrying capacity, and shall not be less than twenty gauge (American wire gauge) solid core insulated wire.
(N) Firing line or leading wires shall be solid single wires of sufficient current carrying capacity, and shall be not less than fourteen gauge (American wire gauge) solid core insulated wire. Bus wires depend on the size of the blast, fourteen gauge (American wire gauge) copper is recommended.
(O) The ends of lead wires which are to be connected to a firing device shall be shorted by twisting them together or otherwise connecting them before they are connected to the leg wires or connecting wires, and they shall be kept in the possession of the person who is doing the loading until loading is completed and the leg wires attached. Lead wires shall not be attached to the firing device until the blaster is ready to fire the shot and must be attached by the blaster.
(P) The ends of the leg wires on electric detonators shall be shorted in a similar manner and not separated until all holes are loaded and the loader is ready to connect the leg wires to the connecting wires or lead wires.
(Q) When firing electrically, the insulation on all firing lines shall be adequate and in good condition.
(R) A power circuit used for firing electric detonators shall not be grounded.
(S) When firing from a power circuit, the firing switch shall be locked in the open or “off” position at all times, except when firing. It shall be so designed that the firing lines to the cap circuit are automatically short- circuited when the switch is in the off’ position. Keys to this switch shall be entrusted only to the blaster.
(T) Blasting machines shall be in good condition and the efficiency of the machine shall be tested periodically to make certain that it can deliver power at its rated capacity.
(U) When firing with blasting machines, the connections shall be made as recommended by the manufacturer of the electric detonators used.
(V) The number of electric detonators connected to a blasting machine shall not be in excess of its rated capacity. A series or circuit shall contain no more detonators than the limits recommended by the manufacturer of the electric detonators in use.
(W) The blaster shall be in charge of the blasting machines, and no other person shall connect the leading wires to the machine.
(X) Blasters, when testing circuits to charged holes, shall use only blasting testers especially designed for this purpose.
(Y) In electrical firing, only the person making leading wire connections shall fire the shot. All connections shall be made from the borehole back to the source of firing current, and the lead line wires shall remain shorted and not be connected to the blasting machine or other source of current until the charge is to be fired.
(Z) After firing an electric blast from a blasting machine, the leading wires shall be immediately disconnected from the machine and short-circuited.
(AA) When electric detonators have been used, workers shall not return to misfired holes for at least thirty minutes.
6.4 Safety Fuse Initiation of Blasts
(A) A safety fuse that is deteriorated or damaged in any way shall not be used.
(B) The hanging of safety fuse on nails or other projections which will cause a sharp bend to be formed in the fuse is prohibited.
(C) Before assembling fuse detonators and safety fuse, a short length shall be cut from the end of the supply reel so as to assure a fresh cut end in each fuse detonator.
(D) Only cap crimpers specifically designed for the purpose of crimping caps shall be used for attaching fuse detonators to safety fuse. Crimpers shall be kept in good repair and accessible for use.
(E) No fuse detonators and safety fuse shall be assembled, or primers made up, in any magazine or near any possible source of ignition or initiation.
(F) The assembly of fuse detonators and safety fuse and making of primers shall only be done in a place selected for this purpose and at least one hundred feet distant from any storage magazine.
(G) The burning rate of the safety fuse in use at any time shall be measured, posted in conspicuous locations, and brought to the attention of all workers concerned with blasting.
(H) New rolls of fuse shall be tested for burn rate prior to use and all partial rolls shall be tested at least every thirty days. A record of the burn rate shall be kept by the permit holder.
(I) The length of safety fuse shall be in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. in no case shall the length of fuse be less than three feet and shall not have a burn time of less 120 seconds at the time of initiation.
(J) Lighting of safety fuse shall be done with hot wire lighters, pull-wire lighters, thermalite connectors, or igniter cord and thermalite connectors.
(K) Matches, cigarette lighters, cigarettes, pipes, cigars or other unsafe means shall not be used to ignite safety fuse.
(L) Igniters shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations and shall not be attached to a safety fuse until the charge is at the blast site and the crew is fully prepared to light the charge.
(M) At least two persons shall be present when fuse detonator and safety fuse blasting is done by hand lighting methods.
(N) When blasting with safety fuses, consideration shall be given to the length and burning rate of the safety fuse and shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. A sufficient time of not less than 120 seconds, with a margin of safety, shall always be provided for the blaster to reach a place of safety.
(O) Not more than 12 safety fuses shall be lit by each blaster when hand lighting devices are used. However, when two or more safety fuses in a group are lit as one by means of igniter cord, or other similar fuse-lighting devices, they may be considered as one fuse.
(P) Fuse detonators and safety fuse shall not be used for firing mud cap charges unless charges are separated sufficiently to prevent one charge from dislodging other shots in the blast.
(Q) Only sufficient primers for one day’s use shall be made up at one time.
(R) Any loose cartridges of explosives, detonators, primers and assembled fuse detonators and safety fuse unused at the end of the shift shall be returned to their respective and separate magazines and locked up.
(S) Safety fuse shall not be used in blasting operations in populated areas, public areas, or on highways, or adjacent to roads open to traffic.
(T) When the fuse lighter has been ignited, the blaster shall assume initiation of the safety fuse has occurred.
(U) If the safety fuse does not show evidence of initiation, the blaster shall not attempt any further initiation and retreat to a safe location for at least one hour.
(V) When safety fuse is used, workers shall not return to a misfire for at least one hour.
(W) If explosives are suspected of burning, all persons in the endangered area shall move to a safe location and no one shall return to the area for at least one hour after signs of burning have ceased.
6.5 Non-electric Initiation of Blasts
(A) Blaster’s shall be familiar with and follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions, especially hook-up and safety precautions.
(B) Operations shall be discontinued during the approach and progress of electrical storms.
(C) Non-electric leads shall not be held during firing.
(D) Primary initiators shall not be attached to the round or shot until after all the connections have been made and the blasting area has been cleared.
(E) Non-electric delay connectors shall not be exposed to excessive impact, friction, flame, electrical discharge, static electricity or lightning.
(F) Delay detonators shall not be disassembled from the plastic connector block, nor shall the delay detonators be used without the block.
(G) Shock tube connections shall be at right angles to detonating cord.
(H) Connections with other initiation devices shall be secured in a manner that provides for uninterrupted propagation.
(I) Factory made units shall be used as assembled and shall not be cut except that a single splice is permitted on the lead-in trunkline during dry conditions.
(J) No tool shall be used to pry on any component containing a detonator, nor shall any tool be used to open, fasten or clean out any connector containing a detonating device.
(K) Care shall be taken to ensure that a vehicle is not driven over the tubing, connectors, or any surface delay component.
(L) In multiple row blasts, the initiation system shall not be connected from row to row until all drilling and loading has been completed. In single row blasts, the components shall not be connected from hole to hole until all drilling and loading has been completed.
(M) A safety line consisting of trunkline or other non-electric tubing shall be connected to the last hole in each row and shall extend beyond the area of cover in a covered or matted blast and shall be used to check for complete detonation of each row.
(N) Before firing the shot, the blaster shall visually inspect all connections in the initiation system are made in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
6.6 Use of Detonating Cord
(A) Care shall be taken to select a detonating cord consistent with the type and physical condition of the borehole and stemming and the type of explosives used.
(B) Detonating cord shall be handled and used with the same respect and care given other explosives.
(C) If using a detonating type cord for blasting, the double-trunk line or loop systems shall be used.
(D) In multiple-row blasts, the trunk line layout shall be designed so that the detonation can reach each blast hole from at least two directions.
(E) All detonating cord knots shall be tight and all connections shall be kept at right angles to the trunk lines.
(F) The line of detonating cord extending out of a borehole or from a charge shall be cut from the supply spool before loading the remainder of the bore hole or placing additional charges.
(G) Detonating cord shall be handled and used with care to avoid damaging or severing the cord during and after loading and hooking-up.
(H) Detonating cord connections shall be made in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended methods. Knot-type or other cord-to-cord connections shall be made only with detonating cord in which the explosive core is dry.
(I) Detonating cord shall be cut with a sharp knife, razor blade, or cutters designed for use with detonating cord. Scissors or plier type cutters shall not be used.
(J) All detonating cord trunk lines and branch lines shall be free of loops, sharp kinks, or angles that direct the cord back toward the oncoming line of detonation.
(K) All detonating cord connections shall be inspected before firing the blast.
(L) When detonating cord millisecond-delay connectors or short-interval-delay electric detonators are used with detonating cord, the practice shall conform strictly to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
(M) When connecting a detonator to detonating cord, the detonator shall be taped or otherwise attached securely along the side or the end of the detonating cord, with the end of the detonator containing the explosive charge pointed in the direction in which the detonation is to proceed.
(N) When initiating detonating cord with fuse detonators and safety fuse, two fuse detonators shall be required.
(O) Detonators for firing the trunk line shall not be brought to the loading area nor attached to the detonating cord until the area has been cleared for the blast.
6.7 Electronic Initiation of Blasts
(A) Permittees shall be trained in the manufacturer’s procedures for use of electronic detonators and shall follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions, especially hook-up and safety precautions.
(B) Test equipment and blasting machines designed for use with electric detonators shall not be used with electronic detonators.
(C) Manufacturer’s recommended practices shall be followed to protect electronic detonators from electromagnetic, radio frequency, or other electrical interference sources.
(D) Electronic detonators shall only be fired with the equipment and procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
(E) Electric detonators and electronic detonators shall not be used in the same blast, even when made by the same manufacturer, unless the manufacturer approves such use.
(F) Test equipment and blasting machines that are designed for electronic detonators shall not be used with electric detonators.
(G) Electronic detonator wires, connectors, coupling devices, shock tube, or other components shall be protected from mechanical abuse and damage.
(H) Electronic detonators of different types and/or versions shall not be used in the same blast, even if made by the same manufacturer, unless such use is approved by the manufacturer.
(I) Equipment or electronic detonators that appear to be damaged or poorly maintained shall not be used.
(J) Only blasting machines, testers, or instruments that are specifically designed for the electronic detonator system shall be used.
(K) Never mix or use electronic detonators and equipment made by different manufacturers.
(L) The handling or use electronic detonators shall be discontinued during the approach and progress of an electrical storm. Personnel must be withdrawn from the blast area to a safe location.
(M) Electronic detonator systems shall not be exposed to or used in operational temperature and pressure ranges outside those specified by the manufacturer.
(N) Electronic detonators shall never be tested or programmed in a booster, cartridge, or other explosive component (primer assembly) before it has been deployed in the borehole or otherwise loaded for final use.
(O) An electronic detonator shall not be held while it is being tested or programmed.
6.8 Firing the Blast
(A) It shall be the duty of the blaster to fix the time of blasting. The blaster shall conduct all blasting operations and no shot shall be fired without the blaster’s presence and approval.
(B) All blasting in congested areas or in close proximity to a structure, railway, or highway or any other installation where the blasting may cause injury or damage by flying rock shall be covered with blasting mats or other protective material before firing.
(C) All persons within the blasting area shall be notified of the time of the blast, and moved to a safe distance or under sufficient cover. Guards shall be posted to prevent entry into the blast area.
(D) All surplus explosive materials shall be removed to a safe location before blasting.
(E) Flaggers shall be safely posted on highways that pass through the danger zone so as to stop traffic during blasting operations.
(F) Guards shall be posted around the perimeter of the blasting area to prevent unauthorized entry into the blast area. Either visual or verbal communication must be possible between guards.
(G) Before the blast is fired, the warning signal shall be given by the blaster in charge or the individual designated by the blaster in charge.
(H) An inspection of the blast area to determine if all charges have detonated shall be done by the blaster before guards and flaggers are cleared by the blaster to leave their posts.
6.9 Misfires
(A) The blaster shall provide proper safeguards for excluding all unauthorized persons from the danger zone if a misfire is found.
(B) No other work shall be done except that necessary to remove the hazard of the misfire and only those employees necessary to do the work shall remain in the danger zone.
(C) Explosives shall not be extracted from a hole that has misfired unless it is impossible or hazardous to detonate any unexploded explosive materials by insertion of an additional primer.
(D) If there are any misfires while using fuse detonators and safety fuse, all employees shall remain away from the charge for at least one hour. Misfires shall be handled under the direction of the person in charge of the blasting. All fuses shall be carefully traced and a search made for the unexploded charges.
(E) When electric detonators have been used, workers shall not return to the blast area for at least thirty minutes. All wires shall be carefully traced and a search made for unexploded charges (F) When a completely non-electric initiation system, other than safety fuse, has been used, all employees shall remain away from the blast area for at least 15 minutes. All shock tubes shall be traced and a search made for unexploded charges.
(G) When electronic detonators have been used, workers shall not return to the blast area for at least 30 minutes unless the manufacturer recommends additional time before returning to the blast area.
(H) If explosives are suspected of burning in a hole, all persons in the endangered area shall move to a safe location and no one shall return to the hole for at least one hour after evidence of combustion ceases.
(I) No drilling, digging, or picking shall be permitted until all missed holes have been detonated or the blaster in charge has approved that work can proceed.
(J) Explosive materials recovered from misfires shall not be reused and shall be disposed of in the manner recommended by the manufacturer.
6.10 Blasting Vibration and Air-over Pressure Standards
(A) In all blasting operations, blasters shall use one of the following methods to control the intensity of motion in the ground at the nearest dwelling, house, school, church, commercial or occupied building. These limits do not apply to property owned, leased, or contracted by the blaster’s company or property on which the owner provides a voluntary written waiver from these restrictions.
(1) The following equation shall be applied when calculating the scaled distance.
2) Option 2--(Scaled Distance)--when seismic monitoring is not performed, the maximum weight of the explosive detonating within any 8-millisecond time period shall not exceed the amount allowed by a calculation using the scaled distance factors given in Scaled Distance column of Table 6.10A.
Where: Ds = Scaled Distance
0.5
Maximum Charge per Delay (W) = (500 / 55) 2 = 82.6 lb TABLE 6.10A DISTANCE FROM OPTION 1MAPV OPTION 2SCALED BLAST (FT.) (MAXIMUM DISTANCE FACTOR ALLOWABLE UNITS ARE FT-LB 0.5 PARTICLE VELOCITY)MEASURE D AS INCHES/ SECOND IN VERTICLE, TRANSVERSE, OR LONGITUDINAL DIRECTIONS.
(3) Over pressure (air blast) Limitation. Air-over pressure at the nearest dwelling house, school, church, or otherwise occupied buildings shall not exceed 133 dB (0.0129 psi). Measuring air-over pressure is not required for all blasting operations. However, due to complaints or other circumstances, the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety may require blasters to monitor air- over pressure. All instruments used to measure air-over pressure compliance shall:
7.1 General Requirements
(A) The use of explosives and blasting agents for avalanche control shall comply with this chapter unless explosives are used in compliance with Chapter VI.
(B) The requirements of this chapter shall only be applicable to the use of explosives for avalanche control. The use of explosives for other purposes such as, but not limited to, demolition, site clearing, or construction shall be in compliance with Chapter VI.
(C) Explosives and blasting agents shall not be stored, kept, assembled, combined to form armed charges, or had in any inhabited areas, structures, or buildings except in compliance with this chapter or Chapter IV.
(D) Only blasters shall supervise the assembly, the arming of explosive components, and the detonation of explosive charges.
(E) Each avalanche control blasting crew or team shall consist of a blaster and at least one trained assistant. The crew may consist of two blasters, but only one shall act as the blaster in charge.
(F) Untrained personnel may accompany the blasting crew for training purposes but shall only participate in actual firing of charges for completion of training in accordance with 7.2(B)(1)(c)(1)(c).
(G) The blaster in charge of each crew or team shall be responsible for all decisions made regarding preparation and placement of charges.
(H) Blasting operations shall be conducted during periods of daylight with personnel guarding the area, or when the area has been closed. Nighttime blasting operations shall be approved by the Director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety, and approval shall only be granted if such approval serves the safety of the general public.
(I) The blaster in charge shall preplan the escape route and all crew members shall understand the plan before initiating the charge.
(J) No person shall accept or be given a job assignment that is beyond the individual’s ability, training, or qualifications.
(K) Cold temperatures, high winds, and heavy snowfall are conditions that should be anticipated in avalanche control blasting. These conditions shall be considered in determining a person’s physical ability, training, and qualifications for conducting safe blasting operations, and in the management of safe blasting operations.
7.2 Training Requirements
(A) Type II Avalanche permit applicants shall submit a training program for personnel involved in the use, storage and transportation of explosives to the Division of Oil and Public Safety. The Division of Oil and Public Safety shall approve the training program prior to issuance of the permit.
(B) The training program shall include at least the following:
7.3 Use of Explosives
(A) General provisions.
(B) Explosives
(C) Hand Charges
(D) Avalauncher and Launcher
(E) Misfires
7.4 Makeup Room Requirements
(A) Location of Makeup Rooms
(B) Construction of Makeup Rooms
(C) Makeup Room Restrictions
(D) Makeup Room Housekeeping
7.5 Transportation
(A) Transportation of explosives, blasting agents, and blasting supplies on public highways, railways, and airways shall be in accordance with the provisions of title 42 article 20 Colorado Revised Statutes and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; and Title 49 CFR Parts 171-179, and Parts 390-397, Motor Carriers.
(B) Requirements for the transportation of explosives, blasting agents and blasting supplies by motorized vehicles on job sites shall be:
(C) Requirements for the transportation of explosives on passenger tramways when the public is present shall be;
8.1 General Requirements
(A) Seismic Blasting shall conform to the requirements of Chapters IV, V, and VI of these rules for the storage and transportation of all explosive materials, for the preparation of charges, for the loading of charges, and the detonation of charges.
(B) Surface charges, above surface charges, and armed charges loaded in seismic drill holes less than 20 feet in depth shall not be left unattended.
(C) Charges which have not been armed may be left unattended in holes less than 20 feet provided that:
(D) Armed or unarmed charges loaded in seismic drill holes greater than 20 feet deep may be left unattended provided that:
(E) Armed and unarmed charges that are loaded in inhabited areas shall not be left unattended.
(F) Blasting signs shall be posted on roads and trails leading to the blast site. CHAPTER IX BLACK POWDER EXPLOSIVES
9.1 General Provisions
(A) Black powder shall be stored in shipping containers as required by regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 49 CFR, Section 173.60 as currently published. A copy of this Code is on file and can be viewed by contacting the Division of Oil and Public Safety, Public Safety Office, 1515 Arapahoe Street, Tower 3, Suite 660, Denver, CO 80202.
(B) Black powder intended for personal use shall be sold and stored according to the Uniform Fire Code (sections 77.202, 77.203, and 77.203a). A copy of this code can be viewed by contacting the Public Safety Office.