13 NCAC 07F .0702          DEFINITIONS

Additions and amendments to 29 CFR 1926.914 Definitions apply throughout the Rules in this Section as follows:

(a)           "American Table of Distances" (also known as Quantity Distance Tables) – the current edition of the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosives approved by the Institute of the Makers of Explosives.

(b)           "Approved storage facility" means – A facility for the storage of explosive materials conforming to the requirements of the Rules in this Section and covered by a license or permit issued under authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (See 27 CFR Part 55.)

(c)           "Blast area" – The area within the influence of flying debris, gases, and concussion from an explosion that may cause injury to property or persons.

(e)           "Blasting agent" – A blasting agent is a mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used for blasting where the finished (mixed) product cannot be detonated with a No. 8 test blasting cap when confined.

(j)            "Detonator" – Blasting caps, electric blasting caps, electric delay blasting caps, and non-electric delay blasting caps.

(k)           "Electric detonator" – A detonator designed for and capable of detonation by means of an electric current.

(l)            "Electric blasting circuitry"

(1)           Bus wire. – An expendable wire, used in parallel or series, in parallel circuits, to which are connected the leg wires of electric detonators.

(2)           Connecting wire. – An insulated expendable wire used between electric detonators and the leading wires or between the bus wire and the leading wires.

(3)           Lead wire. – An insulated wire used between the electric power source and the electric detonator circuit.

(4)           Permanent firing line. – A permanently mounted insulated wire used between the electric power source and the electric detonator circuit.

(m)          "Electric delay detonators" – Detonators designed to detonate at a predetermined period of time after energy is applied to the ignition system.

(n)           "Explosives"

(1)           Any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion; that is, with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, unless such compound, mixture or device is otherwise specifically classified by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

(2)           Any material designated as a Class 1 Explosive by the USDOT.  Under the USDOT classification system, Class 1 materials are divided into the following six divisions:

Division 1.1 - Mass exploding (Formerly Class A)

Division 1.2 - Projection hazard (Formerly Class A or B)

Division 1.3 - Fire hazard, minor blast or projection hazard (Formerly Class B)

Division 1.4 - Minor explosion hazard, not mass detonating (Formerly Class C)

Division 1.5 - Insensitive explosives, very little probability of initiation or transition from burning to detonation during transport. (Formerly Blasting Agent).

Division 1.6 - Insensitive articles which do not mass detonate. (No commercial explosives in this division)

(p)           "Magazine" – Any container, building or structure, other than an explosives manufacturing building, used for the storage of explosives.

(s)            "Non-electric delay detonator" – A detonator with an integral delay element in conjunction with and capable of being detonated by a detonation impulse or signal from miniaturized detonating cord or shock tube.

(v)           "Safety fuse" – A flexible cord containing an internal burning medium by which fire is conveyed at a continuous and uniform rate for the purpose of firing detonators.

(x)           "Stemming" – An inert incombustible material or device used to confine or separate explosives in a drill hole, or to cover explosives in mud‑capping.

(z)           "Water-based explosives" – Explosive materials that contain substantial quantities of water in their formulation. They may be bulk or packaged products and may be cap sensitive or non cap sensitive (blasting agents).  Examples of water-based explosives include emulsions, slurries and water gels.

(bb)         "Appropriate authorities" or "Authorities having jurisdiction" – local, State and federal law enforcement authorities required to be notified by law or permit or the Rules in this Section.

(cc)         "Blaster-in-Charge" – The person who meets the qualifications contained in §1926.901 and who is authorized to oversee the blasting operations and to use explosives for blasting purposes.

(dd)         "Blast site" – The area where explosive material is handled during loading, including the perimeter formed by loaded blast holes, and 50 feet (15.2 meters) in all directions from loaded holes.  A minimum distance of 30 feet (9.1 meters) may replace the 50 feet (15.2 meters) if the perimeter of loaded holes is demarcated with a barrier.  The 50 feet (15.2 meters) and alternative 30 feet (9.1 meters) requirements also apply in all directions along the full depth of the holes.  In underground mines, 15 feet of solid rib or pillar may be substituted for the 50 feet distance.

(ee)         "Shock tube" –  A small diameter plastic tube used for initiating detonators.  Shock tube contains a limited amount of reactive material so that the energy transmitted through the tube by means of detonation wave is guided through, and confined within, the walls of the tube.

(ff)          "Blasting operation" – Any work or activities associated with the use of explosives on a blast site.

(gg) "Attended" – Presence of an individual or continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized entry or access.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 95-131;

Recodified from 13 NCAC 07F .0201 Eff. August 3, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 1, 2016.