The storage requirements for Class 1: Explosives can vary enormously, depending on the type of explosive being stored and its intended use.
In Australia, explosives are used extensively in a variety of diverse industries, from mining, oil and gas, construction, defence, and rail transport to marine, aviation, automotive, pyrotechnics (fireworks), and forensics.
Explosives are typically stored in an explosives storage cabinet or inside an explosives storage day box if they are being transported from one site to another for use.
An explosives storage day box used for safely moving Class 1 Explosives across worksites
This post provides a complete guide to the safe and secure storage of explosives and pyrotechnics in cabinets and day boxes as outlined in the Australian Standard AS 2187.1-1998 Explosives - Storage, transport and use, Part 1: Storage.
Standards Australia publish a series of standards relating to the storage, transport and use of explosives and pyrotechnics.
The Australian Standard, Explosives - Storage, transport and use, Part 1: Storage (AS 2187.1-1998), sets out the requirements and precautions for the storage of explosives, including pyrotechnics as defined in AS 2187.0 (Terminology), and for the location, design, construction and maintenance of magazines (explosives stores).
The Standard applies to:
NOTE: The Standard does not apply to the storage of explosives and explosive ordnance for defence purposes.
The Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code divides Class 1: Explosive substances and articles into six (6) subdivisions, depending on the type of hazard they present
This division comprises substances and articles:
NOTE: The ADG Code sets out the requirements for transporting dangerous goods by road or rail. The code and associated legislation do NOT cover the transport of Class 1 Explosives per se.
The ADG Code includes a list of dangerous goods of Class 1 Explosive substances or articles, providing references to special provisions and packing requirements.
The Dangerous Goods List is based on the definitive list from UN Model Regulations (Rev. 21, 2019), and is sorted by UN Number. An alphabetical listing is also provided.
The Dangerous Goods List includes each substance or article’s:
The list includes all Class 1 Explosive substances and articles covered by Australian regulations, from UN No. 0004 (Ammonium Picrate) to UN No. 0513 (Electronic detonators).
AS 2187.1 sets out the requirements for the location, design, construction and maintenance of the magazines.
In terms of the siting of explosives storage, particularly outdoors, the standard mandates that consideration be given to public risk, security, access, protection from natural phenomena, drainage, reduction of fire risk, as well as lighting, lightning protection, mounding and fencing where required.
The Standard also stipulates the requirement for marking on magazine doors, including Class 1 labels and appropriate wording in red lettering on white background - such as:
Any storage facility containing Class 1 Explosives must have the required dangerous goods signage and placarding.
Class 1 Explosives: Dangerous Goods Class Labels and Hazard Signage | ||
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DANGEROUS GOODS CLASS 1 LABELS | ||
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GHS PICTOGRAM | ||
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HAZARD PLACARDING AND SIGNAGE | ||
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Portable magazines or explosives storage boxes kept inside a building must:
NOTE: Portable magazines containing detonators must be separated from other blast explosives by at least three (3) metres, and not less than the safety distances outlined in Section 3 of AS 2187.1.
Aside from being kept inside secured premises and protected from weather, internal portable magazines must:
AS 2187-compliant Explosives Storage Day Box with timber lining | ||||
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Section 2.1 of the ADG Code assigns dangerous goods in the six divisions of Class 1 explosives to one of thirteen (13) compatibility groups to identify which explosive substances and articles are compatible in terms of storage and transport by road or rail.
These classification codes must be considered when storing Class 1 goods. AS 2187.1 stipulates the requirement to store incompatible explosives in separate magazines
The Standard summarises a few exceptions. For example, detonators, detonating relays and capped fuses of Compatibility Group B shall not be stored with blasting explosives, detonating cord or boosters of Compatibility Group D; and fireworks of Compatibility Group G shall not be stored with blasting explosives of Compatibility Group D or detonators of Compatibility Group B
Separation distances for each storage site of Class 1 explosives are influenced by a range of factors, including:
Separation distances for specific combinations and quantities of different divisions of Class 1 explosive substances and articles (and explosives other than Class 1) are provided in Section 3.2 of the Standard
NOTE: Explosive storage cabinets or boxes containing detonators (Division 1.1B) must be separated from stores containing other explosives.
Section 5 of the Standard outlines appropriate procedures for a variety of potential emergencies that can compromise the security of explosives stores, and thereby threaten the safety of people in the vicinity and cause damage to property.
Emergency scenarios include:
In the event of a thunderstorm approaching with evidence of atmospheric electrical activity or disturbance, or an approaching dust storm, the following procedures should be followed:
NOTE: Estimating the distance from an explosives storage area to an approaching thunderstorm can be done using a lightning detection device or counting the seconds between a lightning flash and the sound of thunder (344 metres for each second that elapses based on sound velocity - so a gap of five seconds between seeing lightning and hearing the accompanying thunder would mean the approaching storm was about 1.72 km away).
The theft or attempted theft of Class 1 explosives must be reported to the police immediately. Explosives are deemed to be accountable items, so even if there is evidence of forced entry to a magazine or explosives store, police and the relevant regulatory authority must both be promptly informed of the incident
Up-to-date records of all the explosives being stored in the magazine should be readily available so the type and quantity of missing or stolen explosives can be easily determined. Records such as a manifest of dangerous goods being stored on site can be securely stored in a purpose-built Hazmat Box or document holder.
Fire and external magazines present a considerable risk to both site personnel and firefighters, so firefighters will not generally engage with the fire directly until safe to do so.
People must be evacuated from the vicinity of the store being threatened with fire or currently on fire, and the person in charge of the magazine (if practicable) should liaise with the firefighters and develop an appropriate fire emergency plan.
This fire emergency plan should include:
Dangerous goods storage specialists STOREMASTA can help you implement a Class 1 Explosives storage solution that complies with Australian standards and legislation.
Ask STOREMASTA today about a workplace compliance audit and risk assessment, or virtual dangerous goods training for your personnel.