Explosives Definitions
Ammunition. Small arms ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or smokeless
propellants designed for use in small arms, including percussion caps, and 3/32 inch
and other external burning pyrotechnic hobby fuses. The term does not include black
powder.
Artificial barricade. An artificial mound or revetted 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 magazine containing explosive materials from
another magazine, a building, a railway, or a highway, either by a natural barricade or
by a artificial barricade. To be properly barricaded, a straight line from the top of any
sidewall of the magazine containing explosive materials to the eave line of any other
magazine or building, or to a point 12 feet above the center of a railway or highway, will
pass through the natural or artificial barricade.
BINARY EXPLOSIVE is an explosive material composed of separate components,
each of which is safe for storage and transportation and would not in itself be
considered as an explosive.
Blasting agent. Any material or mixture, consisting of fuel and oxidizer, that is intended
for blasting and not otherwise defined as an explosive; if the finished product, as mixed
for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a number 8 test blasting cap
when unconfined. A number 8 test blasting cap is one containing 2 grams of a mixture
of 80 percent mercury fulminate and 20 percent potassium chlorate, or a blasting cap of
equivalent strength. An equivalent strength cap comprises 0.40-0.45 grams of PETN
base charge pressed in an aluminum shell with bottom thickness not to exceed to 0.03
of an inch, to a specific gravity of not less than 1.4 g/cc., and primed with standard
weights of primer depending on the manufacturer.
Bullet-sensitive explosive materials. Explosive materials that can be exploded by
150-grain M2 ball ammunition having a nominal muzzle velocity of 2700-fps (824 mps)
when fired from a .30 caliber rifle at a distance of 100 ft (30.5 m), measured
perpendicular. The test material is at a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees F (21 to 24
degrees C) and is placed against a \1/2\ inch (12.4 mm) steel backing plate.
Crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Any offense for
which the maximum penalty, whether or not imposed, is capital punishment or
imprisonment in excess of one year. The term does not include (a) any Federal or State
offenses pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraints of trade, or
(b) any State offense (other than one involving a firearm or explosive) classified by the
laws of the State as a misdemeanor and punishable by a term of imprisonment of two
years or less.
1
DETONATING CORD is a flexible cord containing a center core of high explosives and
used to initiate other explosives.
Examples of brand names of detonating cord include "A" Cord, Detacord, E-Cord,
Primacord, Primaline, Primex and Scotch-Cord.
DETONATION is an exothermic reaction characterized by the presence of a shock
wave in a material which establishes and maintains the reaction. The reaction zone
progresses through the material at a rate greater than the velocity of sound. The
principal heating mechanism is one of shock compression. Detonations have an
explosive effect.
Detonator. Any device containing a detonating charge that is used for initiating
detonation in an explosive. The term includes, but is not limited to, electric blasting caps
of instantaneous and delay types, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating-
cord delay connectors, and nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting caps.
Distribute. To sell, issue, give, transfer, or otherwise dispose of. The term does not
include a mere change of possession from a person to his agent or employee in
connection with the agency or employment.
Explosive actuated device. Any tool or special mechanized device which is actuated
by explosives, but not a propellent actuated device.
Explosive materials. Explosives, blasting agents, water gels and detonators.
EXPLOSION is an effect produced by the sudden violent expansion of gases, which
may be accompanied by a shock wave or disruption, or both, of enclosing materials or
structures. An explosion could result from
1. Chemical changes such as rapid oxidation, deflagration or detonation,
decomposition of molecules and runaway polymerization (usually detonations);
2. Physical changes such as pressure tank ruptures; or 3. Atomic changes
(nuclear fission or fusion).
EXPLOSIVE is
1. A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure,
gas and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperatures,
or
2. A material or chemical, other than a blasting agent, that is commonly used or
intended to be used for the purpose of producing an explosive effects.
FIRE RESISTANT is construction designed to provide reasonable protection against
fire. For exterior walls of magazines constructed of wood, this shall mean fire-resistance
equivalency provided by sheet metal of not less than 0.0179 inch (0.45 mm) (26
manufacturer's standard gage).
2
Fugitive from justice. Any person who has fled from the jurisdiction of any court of
record to avoid prosecution for any crime or to avoid giving testimony in any criminal
proceeding. The term also includes any person who has been convicted of any crime
and has fled to avoid imprisonment.
Hardwood. Oak, maple, ash, hickory, or other hard wood, free from loose knots,
spaces, or similar defects.
Highway. Any public street, public alley, or public road, including a privately financed,
constructed, or maintained road that is regularly and openly traveled by the general
public.
Inhabited building. Any 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 occupied in connection
with the manufacture, transportation, storage, or use of explosive materials.
Magazine. Any building or structure, other than an explosives manufacturing building,
used for storage of explosive materials.
Mass detonation (mass explosion). Explosive materials mass detonate (mass
explode) when a unit or any part of a larger quantity of explosive material explodes and
causes all or a substantial part of the remaining material to detonate or explode.
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.
Plywood. Exterior, construction grade (laminated wood) plywood.
Propellant actuated 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.
Pyrotechnic compositions. A chemical mixture which, upon burning and without
explosion, produces visible, brilliant displays, bright lights, or sounds.
Railway. Any steam, electric, or other railroad or railway which carries passengers for
hire.
Softwood. Fir, pine, or other softwood, free from loose knots, spaces, or similar
defects.
3
SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSIVE DEVICE is an explosive power-pack containing
an explosive charge in the form of a cartridge or construction device. The term includes,
but is not limited to, explosive rivets, explosive bolts, explosive charges for driving pins
or studs, cartridges for explosive-actuated power tools and charges of explosives used
in jet tapping of open-hearth furnaces and jet perforation of oil well casings.
SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL HIGH-EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS are sheets, extrusions,
pellets and packages of high explosives containing dynamite, trinitrotoluol,
penaerythritoltetran- itrate, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine or other similar compounds
used for high-energy-rate forming, expanding and shaping in metal fabrication and for
dismemberment and quick reduction of scrap metal.
Water gels. Explosives or blasting agents that contain a substantial proportion of water.