GB 19455-2004Safety code for inspection of hazardous properties for dangerous of civil explosives (English PDF)

3.1 Explosion

A chemical reaction or change of state in which, within an extremely short time, a large amount of energy is released, a high temperature is produced and a large volume of gas is given off, creating high pressure in the surroundings.

3.2 Explosion substance

A solid or liquid substance (or a mixture of such substances) which is in itself capable, by chemical reaction, of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings. Pyrotechnic substances are included even when they do not evolve gases.

3.3 Explosion articles

An article containing one or more explosive substances.

3.4 Mass detonation or explosion of total contents

An explosion in which all of the substance or articles explode at the same time.

3.5 Compatibility group

Among explosives, two or more substances or articles which can be safely loaded or transported together without significantly increasing the probability of an accident or, for a given quantity, without significantly increasing the magnitude of the effects of an accident, may be regarded as belonging to the same compatibility group.

4.1 Division of civil explosives

Dangerous goods are divided into 9 classes in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations (13th revised edition). Civil explosives belong to Class 1, which is subdivided into 6 divisions; see Table 1.

Table 1 - Division of civil explosives:

Division 1.1: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard.

Division 1.2: Substances or articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.

Division 1.3: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard. This division comprises substances and articles: 1) which give rise to considerable radiant heat; or 2) which burn one after another, producing minor blast or projection effects or both.

Division 1.4: Substances and articles which present no significant hazard. This division comprises substances and articles which present only a small hazard in the event of ignition or initiation during transport. The effects are largely confined to the package itself, and no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is to be expected. An external fire will not cause mass explosion of virtually the entire contents of the package.

Division 1.5: Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard. This division comprises substances which have a mass explosion hazard but are so insensitive that there is very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions of transport.

Division 1.6: Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard. This division comprises articles which contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible probability of an accident occurring or propagating.

Note: The hazard of articles of Division 1.6 is limited to the explosion of a single article.

4.2 Division of compatibility groups

According to the different characteristics of civil explosives - physico-chemical properties, explosive properties, inner and outer packaging, special hazards and so on - they are divided into 13 compatibility groups: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, N and S; see Table 2.

Table 2 - Compatibility groups (description of the substances and articles to be classified):

A: Primary explosive substance, for example an initiating explosive.

B: Article containing a primary explosive substance and not containing two or more effective protective features. Certain articles shall also be included even though they do not in themselves contain a primary explosive substance and have no explosive property, for example detonators for initiation and with safety fuse, and cap-type detonator assemblies.

C: Propellant explosive substance or other deflagrating explosive substance, or article containing such an explosive substance, for example propellants and propelling charges.

D: Secondary detonating substance or black powder, or article containing a secondary detonating substance, in each case without means of initiation and without a propelling charge; or article containing a primary explosive substance and containing two or more effective protective features.

E: Article containing a secondary detonating substance, without means of initiation, with a propelling charge (other than one containing flammable liquid, gel or hypergolic liquid).

F: Article containing a secondary detonating explosive, with its own means of initiation, with a propelling charge (other than one containing flammable liquid, gel or hypergolic liquid) or without a propelling charge.

G: Pyrotechnic substance, or article containing a pyrotechnic substance, or article containing both an explosive substance and an illuminating, incendiary, tear-producing or smoke-producing substance (other than water-activated articles or articles containing white phosphorus, phosphides, pyrophoric substances, flammable liquids or gels, or hypergolic liquids).

H: Article containing both an explosive substance and white phosphorus.

J: Article containing both an explosive substance and a flammable liquid or gel.

K: Article containing both an explosive substance and a toxic chemical agent.

L: Explosive substance, or article containing an explosive substance, presenting a special hazard (for example due to water activation or the presence of hypergolic liquids, phosphides or pyrophoric substances) and requiring isolation of each type; that is, goods of compatibility group L may only be transported together with goods of the same type within compatibility group L.

N: Article containing only extremely insensitive detonating substances.

S: Substance or article so packed or designed that any hazardous effects arising from accidental functioning are confined within the package unless the package has been damaged by fire, in which case all blast and projection effects are limited so as not to hinder or prevent fire-fighting or other emergency response in the immediate vicinity of the package.

5.1

Any substance or article which has, or is suspected of having, explosive properties shall be considered for assignment to explosives. Substances and articles assigned to explosives shall be assigned to the appropriate division and compatibility group.

The following goods are not assigned to explosives:

- explosive substances which are so sensitive that they are forbidden for transport (except with the special approval of the competent authority);

- substances and articles which are clearly excluded from explosives by the definition of explosives;

- substances and articles which do not have explosive properties.

5.2

In the following cases, a report on the dangerous goods classification, grading and hazardous-property inspection, issued by an inspection body recognised by the national quality supervision, inspection and quarantine authority, shall be provided:

- first transport or first production;

- first export;

- when the national quality inspection authority considers it necessary.

5.3

The hazard division is normally assessed on the basis of test results. The hazard division assigned to a substance or article shall be consistent with the results of the tests carried out on that substance or article in the form in which it is offered for transport.

5.4

The national competent authority may exclude an article or substance from explosives on the basis of test results and the definition of explosives.

5.5 Mixed loading requirements

5.5.1

Goods with the same classification code (except group L) may be loaded together.

5.5.2

Goods of compatibility group L shall not be loaded together with goods of other groups, and may only be loaded together with goods of the same hazard within that group.

5.5.3

Goods of compatibility groups A to K which have the same compatibility group but different divisions may be loaded together, provided the whole is treated as belonging to the division with the smaller number. However, when goods of Division 1.5 group D are loaded together with goods of Division 1.2 group D, the whole consignment shall be treated as Division 1.1 group D.

5.5.4

Goods of compatibility groups C, D, E and F may be loaded together; the whole is treated as belonging to the compatibility group with the later letter.

5.5.5

Articles of compatibility group G (excluding fireworks and articles requiring special stowage) may be loaded together with articles of compatibility groups C, D and E, provided there are no explosive substances in the same compartment.

5.5.6

Goods of compatibility group N are generally not loaded together with goods of other compatibility groups (except group S); however, when goods of compatibility group N are loaded together with goods of compatibility groups C, D and E, the goods of compatibility group N shall be treated as compatibility group D.

5.5.7

Goods of compatibility group S may be loaded together with goods of all other compatibility groups except A and L.

6.1 Classification procedure

6.1.1

The procedure comprises three parts: the acceptance procedure for explosives, the classification procedure for explosives (see Figure 1) and the determination of the compatibility group; finally the classification code of the explosive is determined.

6.1.2

To determine whether a substance or article to be classified belongs to explosive dangerous goods, analysis and tests shall be carried out as specified in Annex A.

6.1.3

For a substance or article provisionally accepted as an explosive, analysis and tests shall be carried out as specified in Annex B.

Figure 1 - Procedure for the classification of explosives (flow chart): Product to be classified -> Acceptance procedure, with three outcomes: Reject - explosive but too dangerous to transport; Accepted into Class 1; Reject - not Class 1. A product accepted into Class 1 goes to hazard division assignment (Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6) and to compatibility group assignment (compatibility group A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, N or S); the two together give the classification code.

6.1.4 Determination of the compatibility group

6.1.4.1

The characteristics of each explosive whose compatibility group is to be determined are compared with the descriptions of characteristics given in Table 3, with reference to similar explosives whose classification code has already been determined, in order to determine the compatibility group of the goods. Except for groups S and N, determination of the compatibility group does not generally require testing.

Table 3 - Classification codes (hazard division against compatibility group; the last figure of each row is the number of codes in that division):

Division 1.1: 1.1A, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.1D, 1.1E, 1.1F, 1.1G, 1.1J, 1.1L - 9 codes.

Division 1.2: 1.2B, 1.2C, 1.2D, 1.2E, 1.2F, 1.2G, 1.2H, 1.2J, 1.2K, 1.2L - 10 codes.

Division 1.3: 1.3C, 1.3F, 1.3G, 1.3H, 1.3J, 1.3K, 1.3L - 7 codes.

Division 1.4: 1.4B, 1.4C, 1.4D, 1.4E, 1.4F, 1.4G, 1.4S - 7 codes.

Division 1.5: 1.5D - 1 code.

Division 1.6: 1.6N - 1 code.

Number of codes per compatibility group over Divisions 1.1 to 1.6: A 1; B 3; C 4; D 4; E 3; F 4; G 4; H 2; J 3; K 2; L 3; N 1; S 1; total 35.

6.1.4.2

The compatibility group definitions in 4.2 apply to substances or articles that are mutually incompatible, except for substances or articles of compatibility group S. Since the criterion for compatibility group S is a test-based criterion, the tests for determining this compatibility group are linked to the tests for determining Division 1.4.

6.1.4.3

The determination of group N shall be consistent with the tests for determining Division 1.6.

6.2 Test series 1

6.2.1 Test items

Type (a) - gap test, type (b) - Koenen test, type (c) - time/pressure test; the test methods are given in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Manual of Tests and Criteria (4th revised edition).

6.2.2

The purpose of the tests is to answer the question in box 4 of the acceptance procedure diagram for explosives (Figure A1): "Is it an explosive substance?" In the tests, if any one test gives a "+" result, the sample is considered to have explosive properties.

6.3 Test series 2

6.3.1 Test items

Type (a) - gap test, type (b) - Koenen test, type (c) - time/pressure test; the test methods are given in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Manual of Tests and Criteria (4th revised edition).

6.3.2

The purpose of the tests is to answer the question in box 6 of the acceptance procedure diagram for explosives (Figure A1): "Is the substance too insensitive to be accepted into explosives?" In the tests, if any one test gives a "+" result, the answer to this question is "No".

6.4 Test series 3

6.4.1 Type (a) - Impact sensitivity test

6.4.1.1 Test apparatus

BAM fallhammer of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), or other equivalent apparatus.

6.4.1.2 Test samples

Solid substances other than pastes or gels shall comply with the following:

- Powdery substances are sieved (sieve aperture 0.5 mm) and the material passing the sieve is used for the test; for substances with more than one component, the sieved fraction used for the test shall be representative of the original substance.

- Pressed, cast or otherwise consolidated substances are broken into small pieces and sieved; the fraction passing a 1.0 mm sieve but retained on a 0.5 mm sieve is used for the test; for substances with more than one component, the sieved fraction used for the test shall be representative of the original substance.

- Substances transported only in the form of charges are tested in the form of discs (small pieces) with a volume of 40 mm3 (approximately 4 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick).

For powdery substances, the sample is measured out with a measure of 40 mm3 capacity (3.7 mm in diameter, 3.7 mm high).

For liquid substances, 40 mm3 is measured out with a pipette. For powdery, pasty or gel substances, the upper impact cylinder is pressed lightly so that it contacts the sample without flattening it. For liquid samples, the liquid fills the groove between the lower impact surface and the guide ring, and the upper impact cylinder is lowered with a depth gauge to 2 mm above the lower impact cylinder and fixed there.

6.4.1.3 Test procedure

The impact energy is given by E (impact energy, J) ~ m (mass of the drop weight, kg) × g (taken as 10 N/kg) × h (drop height of the drop weight, m). The test starts with 1 trial at 10 J. If an "explosion" (report, sparks or flame) is observed in this trial, testing continues with progressively lower impact energies until "decomposition" or "no reaction" is observed. Trials are repeated at this impact energy level; if no explosion occurs, the trial is repeated 5 times; otherwise the impact energy is lowered again step by step until the limiting impact energy is determined. If the result observed at the 10 J impact energy level is "decomposition" (colour change or odour) or "no reaction" (no explosion), testing continues with the impact energy increased step by step until an "explosion" result is obtained for the first time; the impact energy is then lowered again until the lowest impact energy is determined.

6.4.1.4 Test evaluation

If the lowest impact energy at which at least 1 "explosion" occurs in 6 trials is 2 J or less, the test result is "+", i.e. the substance is too dangerous to be transported in the form in which it was tested. Otherwise the result is "-".

Note: Other methods proven to be equivalent to this method may be used.

6.4.2 Type (b) - Friction sensitivity test

6.4.2.1 Test apparatus

BAM friction apparatus of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), or other equivalent apparatus.

6.4.2.2 Test samples

The test is normally carried out on the substance in the form in which it is received. Wetted substances shall be tested with the minimum wetting content specified for transport. In addition, solid substances other than pastes or gels shall comply with the following:

- Powdery substances are sieved (sieve aperture 0.5 mm) and the material passing the sieve is used for the test; for substances with more than one component, the sieved fraction used for the test shall be representative of the original substance.

- Pressed, cast or otherwise consolidated substances are broken into small pieces and sieved, and the fraction passing the 0.5 mm sieve is used for the test; for substances with more than one component, the sieved fraction used for the test shall be representative of the original substance.

- Substances transported only in the form of charges are tested in the form of discs or chips with a volume of 10 mm3 (minimum diameter 4 mm).

- The quantity of substance used for a test is about 10 mm3. Powdery substances are measured out with a measure (2.3 mm in diameter, 2.4 mm deep); pasty or gel substances are measured out with a rectangular measure of 0.5 mm wall thickness with a 2 mm × 10 mm window.

6.4.2.3 Test procedure

- Each part of the surfaces of the porcelain plate and porcelain peg may be used only once; the two end faces of each porcelain peg can be used for two trials, and the two friction surfaces of the porcelain plate can be used for 3 trials. The porcelain plate is fixed on the carriage of the friction apparatus so that the grooves of its sponge-like texture run across the direction of movement. The firmly clamped porcelain peg is placed on the sample, the required weight is placed on the loading arm and the apparatus is switched on. Care shall be taken that the porcelain peg rests on the sample and that enough substance comes under the peg in front of the moving porcelain plate.

- The test starts with a first trial at a load of 360 N. If an "explosion" (report, sparks or flame) result is observed in the first trial, testing continues with the load reduced step by step until a "decomposition" (colour change or odour) or "no reaction" (no explosion) result is observed. Trials are repeated at this friction load level; if no explosion occurs, 6 trials are carried out; otherwise the load is reduced again step by step until the lowest load at which no "explosion" occurs in 6 trials has been determined. If the result of the first trial at 360 N is "decomposition" or "no reaction", this trial is also repeated 5 more times. If in the 6 trials at this highest load all results are "decomposition" or "no reaction", the substance may be regarded as insensitive to friction; if 1 "explosion" result is obtained in the 6 trials at this highest load, the load is reduced by the method described above.

6.4.2.4 Test evaluation

If the lowest friction load at which 1 "explosion" occurs in 6 trials is less than 80 N, the test result is "+", i.e. the substance is too dangerous to be transported in the form in which it was tested. Otherwise the result is "-".

Note: Other methods proven to be equivalent to this method may be used.

6.4.3 Type (c) - Thermal stability test at 75 °C

6.4.3.1 Test apparatus

An electric oven capable of maintaining and recording a temperature of 75 °C ± 2 °C, fitted with a dual automatic temperature controller and with explosion protection and ventilation; a balance accurate to ±0.1 g; 3 thermocouples.

6.4.3.2 Test procedure

- A small quantity of the sample is heated at 75 °C for 48 h. If no explosive reaction of the sample occurs during the test, the following steps shall be carried out; if explosion or ignition occurs, the substance is too thermally unstable to be transported.

- 50 g of the sample is placed in a beaker, covered and put in the oven, and the oven is heated to 75 °C; the sample is kept at this temperature for 48 h or until ignition or explosion occurs, whichever is earlier. If no ignition or explosion occurs but some self-heating phenomenon (such as fuming or decomposition) appears, the following test shall be carried out. If the substance shows no sign of instability, it may be regarded as stable and no further test is required.

- 100 g (or 100 cm3 if the density is less than 1 000 kg/m3) of the sample is placed in one tube and the same quantity of reference substance in another tube. Thermocouples T1 and T2 are inserted into the tubes at half the height of the substance. If the thermocouples are not inert towards the substance under test and the reference substance, they shall be covered with an inert sheath. Thermocouple T3 and the two covered tubes are placed in the oven; during the 48 h after the sample and the reference substance have reached 75 °C, the temperature difference between the sample and the reference is measured and any signs of decomposition of the sample are recorded.

6.4.3.3 Test evaluation

In step 2 of the procedure, if ignition or explosion occurs, the result is "+"; if no change is observed, the result is "-".