Rule 1140: Explosives

RULE 1140
EXPLOSIVES

1141: General Provisions:

1141.01:

The provisions of this Rule shall apply to the manufacture, handling and storage of explosives, fireworks and other pyrotechnic products.

1141.02:

For the transportation of explosives outside of the plant site, the Fire Code of the Philippines shall apply.

1141.03: Rule 20 of the Fire Code of the Philippines on Storage of Explosives is adopted.

1142: Definitions:

(1) “Explosives” shall mean and include any chemical compound or other substances intended for the purpose of producing an explosion or that which contains oxidizing or combustible unit or other ingredients in such proportion or quantity that ignition by fire, friction, concussion or detonation may produce an explosion capable of causing injury to persons or damage to property.

(2) “Inhabited Building” shall mean a building regularly occupied in whole or in part as a habitation for human beings and includes church, school house, railroad station, store or other buildings where people assemble, other than buildings in explosive plants.

(3) “Explosives Plant” shall mean and include all lands and the buildings situated thereon, used in connection with the manufacturing or processing of explosives or in which any process involving explosion is carried on, or the storage of explosives thereat, as well as any premises where explosives are used as a component part or ingredient in the manufacturing process.

(4) “Factory or Explosive Building” shall mean a building or structure (except magazines) in which explosives are manufactured or any process involving explosives are carried on.

(5) “Magazine” shall mean a building or structure, other than factory building, used exclusively for the storage of explosives.

(6) “Railway” shall mean and include any steam, diesel, electric or other railroad or railway for public use.

(7) “Highway” shall mean and include any public street, public alley, public road, or navigable stream used for transport.

(8) “Barricaded” means that the building containing explosives is effectually screened from a magazine, building, railway or highway either by a natural barricade or by an artificial barricade of such height that a straight line from the eave line of any magazine or building containing explosives to a point 3.70 m. (12 ft.) above the center of a railway or highway will pass through such intervening natural or artificial barricade.

(9) “Natural Barricade” means natural features of the ground which covers a building from another building or timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which requires protection cannot be seen from the magazine when the trees are without leaves.

(10) “Artificial Barricade” means an artificial mound or revetted wall of earth of a minimum thickness of one (1) meter (3.3 ft.).

1143: Authorization:

(1) Explosives shall be manufactured, handled or stored only in approved places.

(2) Building authorized for use in the manufacture of explosives shall not be used for any other purpose.

(3) Specially approved precautions shall be undertaken where primary or initiating explosives are manufactured, handled or stored in addition to the precautions contained herein.

1144: Limitation:

1144.01:

Building in which any quantity of explosives are manufactured, handled, used or temporarily stored shall be classified as “explosives buildings”. These buildings wherein finished explosives are kept or are stored for periods exceeding forty eight (48) hours shall be classified as “Magazine”.

1144.02:

Explosives materials used in loading detonators, timing or printing caps or other similar manufacturing processes shall not be stored in workrooms wherein people are employed except under the following conditions:

(1) Where the quantity used for an eight-hour work does not exceed 45 kgs. (100 lbs.). Only this quantity shall be stored in the workroom at any one time and at a place where it shall be suitably protected from uncontrolled or irresponsible handling. Additional supply be brought from the magazine as needed after the first 45 kgs. (100 lbs.) is processed and transferred to magazines.

1144.03:

Explosives materials not in the process of manufacturing, use or leftover in any manufacturing process shall be stored in magazines.

1144.04: Only a maximum of 136,360 kgs. (300,000 lbs.) or twenty million (20,000,000) blasting caps shall be stored in any one magazine.

1144.05: Explosives or blasting caps shall not be stored or kept in any building used in whole or in part as a dwelling school, theater or any other place of public assembly.

1145: Quantity and Distance Tables:

Explosives shall not be kept or stored other than in magazine of Class I and Class II types.

(1) Table of distance

All buildings and magazines in explosives plants shall be located away from inhabited buildings, railways or highways, in conformity with Rule 1141.03.

(2) Precautions:

a. The table of distance applies only to the manufacture and permanent storage of commercial explosives. It is not applicable to the transportation, handling or temporary storage of explosives. It is not intended to apply to bombs, projectiles or other heavily encased explosives.

b. Where a building containing explosives is not barricaded, the distance shown shall be doubled.

c. When two (2) or more storage magazines are located on the same property, each magazine shall comply with the minimum distance specified. In addition, they shall be separated from each other by not less than the distance shown for “separation of magazines”, except that the quantity of explosives contained in cap magazine shall determine the spacing.

d. If any two (2) or more magazines are separated from each other by less than the specified distances, such two or more magazines shall be considered as one and the total quantity of explosives stored shall be treated as stored in a single magazine with the specified minimum distances with other magazines, inhabited buildings, railways, highways and navigable streams complied with.

(3) Intra-plant Quantity and Distance Table:

All factory buildings in which explosives are processed, kept or stored shall be located apart from each other and from other buildings in the explosives plants and magazines shall be located away from factory and other buildings in explosives plants in conformity with Table 15.

(4) Precautions to Table 15:

Where a factory building or magazine is effectively barricaded, the distances specified may be reduced by “one half’.

1146: Storage of Explosives:

1146.01: Class I Explosives:

Class I magazines shall be those containing over 22.5 kgs. (50 lbs.) of explosives. Such magazines shall have no openings except for ventilation and entrance. It shall be of masonry or metal construction or a combination of both constructed and maintained as follows:

(1) Doors – Doors must be kept closed and securely locked at all times except when opened for the purpose of storing or removing explosives or to allow persons authorized to enter such magazines.

(2) Signs – The premises on which explosives are kept or stored must be conspicuously defined and marked by appropriate signs, such as, “ EXPLOSIVE KEEP OFF”, legibly printed thereon in letters not less than 15 cm. (6 in.) high. Such signs must not be placed on magazines but shall be so located that a bullets passing through the sign will not strike the magazine.

(3) Wood – The outside walls shall be of 5 cm. x 10 cm. (2 in. x 4 in.) studding with a 5 cm. (2 in.) plank or tongued and grooved lumber having a nominal size of 2.5 cm. (1 in.) covered with not less than No. 26 gauge galvanized iron or steel on the outside. The inside walls shall be lined with tongued and grooved reefers. The space between the outer and inner walls shall be filled with dry course sand (not crushed stone or gravel) or a weak mixture of cement mortar. All lumber used shall be well seasoned and free from loose knots, bark edges or decay.

(4) Brick – Brick walls shall be 20 cm. (8 in.) in thickness of medium soft variety laid in cement mortar containing not over 25% lime.

(5) Concrete – Concrete walls shall be 15 cm. (6 in.) in thickness constructed of nine (9) parts sand to one (1) part cement with a 1.25 cm (1/2 in.) face surface of three (3) parts sand to one (1) part cement.

(6) Cement Block – Cement block walls shall be 20 cm. (8 in.) thick hollow cement block, a mixture of seven (7) parts sand and one (1) part cement. The spaces in the block shall be filled with dry coarse sand (not crushed stone or gravel) or a weak mixture of cement mortar.

(7) Fabricated Metal – Walls and roof shall consist of approximately No. 14 gauge metal securely fastened together. Walls shall be lined with 10 cm. (4 in.) of brick of at least a 15 cm. (6 in) sand fill between the interior and exterior walls.

(8) Lining of Magazines – Lining of magazines as specified in paragraphs (3) and (7) above, may not be required for the storage of black powder or for the storage of not more than 100,000 pieces of blasting caps.

(9) Foundation – The foundation shall be of stone laid in concrete, wood posts or brick piers. Magazines of less than 13,600 kgs. (30,000 lbs.) capacity shall have flooring of lumber having a nominal size of 2.5 cm. (1 in.) tongued and grooved. Magazines of larger capacity shall have double flooring.

(10) Ventilation – The floor and ceiling shall be constructed to within 5 cm. (2 in.) of the walls to provide a 3 cm. ventilation space. This shall be provided by constructing a 2.5 cm. x 15 cm. (1 in. x 6 in.) lattice wood lining on 5 cm. x 5 cm. (2 in. x 2 in.) wood stud 60 cm. (2 ft.) on centers. Foundation ventilators shall be spaced not more than 150 cm. (5 ft.) on center in all sides and properly screened to prevent the entrance of sparks of fire.

(11) Nails – All heads of nails shall be countersunk. No spark producing metal shall be exposed inside the buildings.

(12) Doors – The doors shall be 1 m. (3.28 ft.) wide and 1.8 m. (6 ft.) high constructed of at least three (3) layers of hard wood, having a nominal size of 2.5 cm. (1 in.) and covered on the outside with a steel sheet of at least No. 20 gauge. Where there is a need for bullet proofing the thickness of the steel sheet shall be a minimum of 1 cm. (3/8 in.).

(13) Roof – Except where permission for other construction is approved, a bullet-proof sand roof shall be used constructed as follows:

Form a box by laying a floor of a good grade of tongue and groove boards on ceiling joists and build a 2.5 cm. x 10 cm. (1 x 4 in.) rim lined with one (1) layer of building paper and filled with 10 cm. (4 in.) of dry coarse sand.

Except for fabricated metal magazines, the outer roof shall be covered with not less than No. 26 gauge galvanized iron ridge roll fastened to 2.2 cm (7/8 in.) sheating.

(14) Gutters and Down Spouts – Where water may enter through the door, gutters and down spouts shall be provided on the door sides.

(15) Materials and Workmanship – Only superior materials and workmanship shall be used.

1146.02: Class II Magazines:

Class II magazines shall be used for storing not more than 22.5 kgs (50 lbs.) of explosives. It shall be of wood or metal construction or a combination of both.

(1) Construction – The principle of construction is simply that of placing one box inside of another with a 12.5 cm. (5 in.) space in between filled with dry coarse sand, not gravel or crushed rock.

(2) Outer Box – The outer box shall be constructed of tongued and grooved lumber having a nominal size of 2.5 cm. (1 in.) plain lumber. The outside of the box shall be covered with no less than No. 24 gauge iron sheet. The outer box shall be 0.33 m. (1 foot) longer, 0.33 m. (1 foot) wider, and 15 cm (6 in.) deeper than the inner box allowing a 12.5 cm. (5 in.) space on all sides for sand filling. The inner box shall be set inside the outer box with the tops at level with each other and fastened into place.

(3) Inner box – The inside of all boxes shall be surfaced. No nail, bolt or metal screw heads shall be exposed on the inside of the box..

(4) Ventilation – At the top of each box, on the sides and ends, cut 0.625 cm (1/4 in.) by 5 cm. (2 in.) notches, spaced about 0.33 m. (1 foot) apart, and not directly opposite.

(5) Setting – The box (magazine) shall be set in a level position and supported by either wooden sills, bricks or piers and the bottom of the magazine kept at about 15 cm. (6 in.) off the ground

(6) Sand Fill – Fill the space between boxes with dry coarse sand (not gravel or crushed rock) to within 0.625 cm (1/4 in.) of the top. To prevent sand from falling into the storage space, a cover may be placed over the sand space.

(7) Locks – magazines shall be provided with adequate locks.

(8) Signs – At each end and on top of the magazine, above the side wall and on its barricades, there shall be conspicuously posted at all times appropriate, signs, such as, “MAGAZINE-EXPLOSIVE-DANGEROUS” legibly printed in letters not less than 15 cm. (6 in.) high.

1146.03: Temporary Storage At Job Sites:

(1) When used for temporary storage at a job site for blasting operations, Class II magazines shall be located away from neighboring buildings, railways, highways and other magazines. A distance of at least 45 m. (150 ft.) shall be maintained between Class II Magazines and the work site when the quantity of explosives kept therein is in excess of 11.4 kgs. (25 lbs.) and at least 15 m. (50 ft.) when the quantity of explosives is 11.4 kgs (25 lbs.) or less. The enforcing authority may require greater separation between Class II magazines and the work site where conditions warrant.

(2) Class II portable magazines for transporting small amounts of explosives from the permanent magazine to the work site and for temporary storage in the work site shall be constructed or built of 5 cm. (2 in.) hardwood or 7.5 cm. (3 in.) soft wood, well braced at corners, with sheet metal exterior sheating.

1146.04: Existing Magazines:

(1) Magazines existing prior to the promulgation of this Standards, which comply substantially with the intent and purpose of this requirement but not with the detailed specifications, may be allowed for a period of one (1) year subject to the reduction of capacity for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this Rule. The Secretary may require changes as are necessary to come into compliance, or to reduce magazine capacity in accordance with the requirements on construction or distance.

1146.05: Number of Employees:

The number of employees allowed in workrooms or portions of an explosives plant shall be limited to the minimum requirements of manufacturing.

1146.06: Admission to Plants:

(1) Explosives plants shall be fenced to prevent the entrance of person/s.

(2) No person, other than authorized employees or duly authorized enforcement officers, shall be allowed in any explosives plant unless they have been given permission and accompanied by the owner or his authorized representative. A record of such visits shall be kept on file in the office signed in each case by the visitor/agent and the owner/representative.

1146.07: Approval of Plans:

(1) For purposes of this Rule, the plans of all buildings in the explosives plant shall be submitted to the Integrated National Police for approval copy furnished the Regional Labor Office concerned before such buildings are constructed with the following:

a. Maps, plans or sketches of the topographical site showing the location of plant buildings, highways and also showing the existing barricades, if any, and barricades that are intended to be used. These plans shall be drawn to a scale of 1:2000 meters (100 or 200 feet to an inch) submitted in triplicate in white or blue print.

b. Plans and specifications of proposed magazines and other factory buildings drawn scale of at least 1.50 meters (1/4 in. to a foot) submitted in triplicate in white or blue print.

(2) A copy of the approved plans shall be kept in the office of the plant superintendent of each plant for inspection by duly authorized representatives of the Secretary. The superintendent of each plant shall upon the demand of said representative, furnish the following information:

a. the number of persons ordinarily engaged at work in or at each building or the maximum number allowed;

b. the maximum amount and kind of explosive materials allowed and present in each building at one time;

c. the nature and kind of work carried on in each building and whether or not such buildings are surrounded by natural or artificial barricades and dimension of each barricades;

d. record of visits and inspections; and other necessary information.

1146.08: Certificates of Safety Inspection Fees:

(1) Certificate of safety inspection issued by the Regional Office shall be required of all explosives plants showing compliance with the provisions of this Standards. Such certificates shall be valid for one (1) year from the date issued, renewable annually.

(2) Safety Inspection Fee: Refer to Rule 1970

1146.09: General Precautions:

(1) Handling and Housekeeping

a. Packages of explosives shall not be opened within 15 m. (50 ft.) of any magazine. Only wooden, rubber, rawhide, fiber, zinc or babbit mallet and wood wedge shall be used in opening packages of explosives.

b. All premises surrounding magazines must be kept free from bush, dry grass, and similar growth for at least 7.5 m. (25 ft.) around and no flammable materials shall be placed near or about magazines; and

c. only authorized persons shall have access to magazines.

(2) Lighting:

a. No open or naked lights such as lanterns, stoves and torches shall be allowed in rooms or portions of manufacturing plants. Watchmen or others using portable lighting shall be supplied with electric safety flash lights or electric safety lanterns.

b. No artificial light shall be used in magazines except approved portable electric dry cell battery lamps or lanterns.

c. Rooms or portions of plants shall be lighted, if artificial light is needed, by means of an electric system installed in conduit or in lead encased cables, with vapor proof lamps. All switches or fuses shall be located in a protected place away from such rooms or buildings. All lights, if possible, shall be protected by reflections into rooms from the outside. The use of electric motors other than those of a sparkless induction type, is prohibited.

(3) Materials Allowed in Explosives Buildings:

a. all explosives building shall be kept clear of all unnecessary loose tools, refuse and debris of any kind at all times, and shall not be used as temporary storehouse of materials not necessary in the process of manufacture.

b. explosives buildings, white containing explosives, shall not be used as storehouse for implements and any other material.

(4) Matches:

Workers shall not be allowed to carry at all times inside explosives plants, any match or other flame-producing device, unless he is authorized in writing by the plant superintendent. In such case, only safety matches shall be used and such entry and authorization properly recorded and open for inspection.

(5) Clothing of Employees:

a. all employees handling loose explosive or working in or around buildings used for manufacturing explosives shall wear rubber soled shoes, without iron or steel nails and with no metal attachments.

b. all explosives buildings shall be provided at each entrance with suitable device whereby the shoes of all persons entering such buildings can be cleaned.

(6) Change or Locker House:

Suitable change or locker houses shall be provided where employees can wash and change their clothes. No lockers shall be allowed in explosives buildings.

(7) Transportation, Machinery and Platforms:

a. all trucks or conveyors used for the transportation of loose explosives materials, except smokeless powder not in dry state or wet nitro compounds, shall be provided with side or end rails or guards to prevent any concentration of explosives from slipping off the truck.

b. careful inspection shall be made daily by the plant foreman to see that all machinery and equipment used in the manufacture or handling of explosives are in perfect order. If any is found not in good order, it shall not be used until placed in perfect condition.

c. all dangerous machinery and moving parts of machinery shall be guarded.

d. all platforms, stairways, tanks, vats, runways, and other dangerous places shall be guarded by standard railings and toeboards. Where there is danger of dust collection, toeboards shall not be used. Metals shall not be used for railings and toeboards where its presence increase the danger of an explosion. No railings or toeboards shall be installed that will interfere with safety exits.

e. the tread of all wheels on trucks or conveyors or the rails used inside the explosives buildings shall be of non-sparkling materials.

(8) Hand Carrying of Explosives:

When explosives are carried from one building to another or from magazines to workrooms, employees carrying such explosives shall not be allowed to follow each other closely but must allow an interval of at least one (1) minute in time or 30 m. (110 ft.) in distance.

(9) Cleanliness:

a. if any explosive material or ingredient is spilled, it shall be cleaned immediately.

b. all floors of explosives buildings shall be free, as much as possible, from cracks, openings for any irregularities. No projecting or visible iron or steel nails shall be permitted on such floors.

1146.10: Protection Against Lightning:

(1) Lightning protection shall be provided for all electric conduits and circuits entering explosives buildings by means of suitable lightning arresters installed outside the buildings.

(2) Unless otherwise approved by the Regional Director, recommended lightning protection for magazine shall be constructed as follows:

a. Magazine for 2,270 kgs. (5, 000 lbs.) or less..

A vertical conductor of 2 cm. x 0.3 cm. (3/4 in. x 1/8 in.) copper tape attached to a vertical pole which shall be installed so that the horizontal distance between the conductor and the nearest part of the magazine shall not be less than 1.2 m (4 ft.). Joints in the conductor shall be tinned and riveted with 0.47 cm. (3/16 in.) copper rivet. The conductor shall terminate at least 3 m. (10 ft.) higher than the highest point of the magazine. The lower end of the conductor shall be attached to a point of at least 7.5 cm. (3 in.) above ground level by 0.47 cm. (3/16 in.) copper rivets to one or more copper rods 2 cm. (3/4 in.) in diameter which have been driven vertically into the ground to a depth of at least 3 m. (10 ft.). The resistance to earth shall be less than 10 ohms.

b. Magazine for 2,270 kgs. (5, 000 lbs.) explosive or more:

Masts shall be erected at each end of the longer axis of the magazine and at least 0.33 m. (1 foot) from any part of the magazine. Copper tape 2 cm. x o.3 cm. (3/4 in. x 1/8 in.) shall be attached to the mast. The conductor shall terminate at least 0.33 m. (1 foot) above the top of the mast and at a point of at least 7.5 cm. (3 in.) above ground level attached by 2 cm. (3/4 in.) in diameter copper rods which have been driven at least 3 m. (10 ft.) vertically into the ground. An aerial of 2 cm. x 0.3 cm. (3/4 in. x 1/8 in.) copper tape shall be suspended between the masts so that it is either horizontal or curved upwards in the middle and is at least 3 m. (10 ft.) higher than the highest part of the magazines. The aerial shall be attached to the copper tape conductors by 2 cm. (3/4 in.) copper rivets and binds of at least 0.6 m. (2 ft.) radius. Joints in the aerial and vertical conductors shall be tinned and riveted with 2 cm. (3/4 in.) copper rivets. The resistance to earth shall be less than 10 ohms.

c. Method of Determining the Resistance to Earth:

The use of megger “Earth Tester” or similar instrument is recommended.

d. Earth Termination:

Where the nature of the ground makes the driving of the earth rods impossible, other construction providing the same resistance to earth may be allowed by the enforcing authority.

1147: Records of Disposition of Explosives:

Every person, firm, association, or corporation manufacturing, selling, giving away, or distributing explosives, shall keep at all times an accurate journal or record in which purchase of explosives powder and every sale or disposition of explosives are legibly entered. Such record must show the names and addresses of persons to whom sales or dispositions were made, name of persons to whom delivered, and the nature of business or persons receiving the same. Other pertinent data shall be furnished the Integrated National Police or its authorized representative, copy furnished the Regional Labor Office.

TABLE 15
TABLE OF DISTANCES FOR STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES
EXPLOSIVES DISTANCE IN FEET WHEN STORAGE IS
BARRICADED
POUNDS
OVER
POUNDS
NOT
OVER
INHABITED
BUILDINGS
PASSENGE
R
RAILWAYS
PUBLIC
HIGHWAYS
SEPARATION
OF
MAGAZINES
2
5
10
20
30
6
10
20
30
40
70
90
110
125
140
30
35
45
50
55
30
35
45
50
55
6
8
10
11
12
40
50
75
100
125
50
75
100
125
150
150
170
180
200
215
60
70
75
80
85
60
70
75
80
85
14
15
16
18
19
150
200
250
300
400
200
250
300
400
500
235
255
270
295
320
95
105
110
120
130
95
105
110
120
130
21
23
24
27
29
500
600
700
800
900
600
700
800
900
1000
340
355
375
390
400
135
145
150
155
160
135
145
150
155
160
31
32
33
35
36
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
425
450
470
490
505
170
180
190
195
205
165
170
175
180
185
39
41
43
44
45
2000
2500
3000
4000
5000
2500
3000
4000
5000
6000
545
580
635
685
730
220
235
255
275
295
190
195
210
225
235
49
52
58
61
65
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
7000
8000
9000
10000
12000
770
800
835
865
875
310
320
335
345
370
245
250
255
260
270
68
72
75
78
82
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
14000
16000
18000
20000
25000
885
900
940
975
1055
390
405
420
435
470
275
280
285
290
315
87
90
94
98
105
65?25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
30000
35000
40000
45000
50000
1130
1205
1275
1840
1400
500
525
550
570
590
340
360
380
400
420
112
119
124
129
135
50000
55000
60000
65000
70000
55000
60000
65000
70000
75000
1460
1515
1565
1610
1655
610
630
645
660
675
440
455
470
485
500
140
145
150
155
160
75000
80000
85000
90000
95000
80000
85000
90000
95000
100000
1695
1730
1760
1790
1815
690
705
720
730
745
510
520
530
540
545
165
170
175
180
185
100000
110000
120000
130000
140000
110000
120000
130000
140000
150000
1835
1855
1875
1890
1900
770
790
810
835
850
550
555
560
565
570
195
205
215
225
235
150000
160000
170000
180000
190000
160000
170000
180000
190000
200000
1935
1965
1990
2010
2030
870
890
905
920
935
580
590
600
605
610
245
255
265
275
285
200000
210000
230000
250000
275000
210000
230000
250000
275000
300000
2055
2100
2155
2215
2275
955
980
1010
1040
1075
620
635
650
670
690
295
315
335
360
385

TABLE 15a
INTRA-PLANT QUANTITY AND DISTANCE TABLE
EXPLOSIVES
POUNDS OVER POUNDS NOT
OVER
DISTANCE
FEET
SEPARATE
BUILDING OR
WITHIN
SUBSTANTIAL
DIVIDING
WALLS
10
25
50
100
200
300
400
500
750
1000
1500
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
12500
15000
17500
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
50000
55000
60000
65000
70000
75000
80000
85000
90000
95000
100000
125000
150000
175000
200000
225000
10
25
50
100
200
300
400
500
750
1000
1500
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
10000
12500
15000
17500
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
50000
55000
60000
65000
70000
75000
80000
85000
90000
95000
100000
125000
160000
175000
200000
225000
250000
40
60
80
100
120
130
140
160
180
210
230
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
420
450
470
490
530
560
590
620
640
660
680
700
720
740
770
780
790
800
820
830
900
950
1000
1050
1100
1150