Fireworks And Explosives - 806 Flashcards
How are explosives defined by the HSE?
‘Any material that is capable of undergoing a self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reaction at a rate that is sufficient to produce substantial pressures on their surroundings, thus causing physical damage’
What are the 2 types of explosive materials?
- detonating
* deflagrating
Describe detonating explosions
• when reaction exceeds speed of sound
Describe deflagrating explosions?
- below speed of sound
* pressure, heat and confinement influence rate of reaction not the material
What is the most common accidental cause of explosion?
Mixture of natural gas and air following a gas leak
What is ‘over pressure?’
- Blast wave from an explosion
- velocity greater than speed of sound
- can kill
Up to what distance are fireworks designed to propel to before explosion?
50-100m
How big can the fireball be from fireworks?
100m diameter
What can lead to a significant mass explosion event with regards to fireworks?
Excessively loaded containers or illegal storage of non standard fireworks
How should fireworks be stored
- in ‘ISO’ shipping containers
* plenty of space
Explosives with radio controlled detonators or metal components can be detonated by radio transmissions within what distance?
60m
NATO prohibits radio signal within what distance of explosive materials?
600m
Who should be informed when explosive storage is identified?
Station managers should inform ORPT (operational resilience and planning team)
How do ‘Yankee hazards’ appear on the MDT?
• red triangle, black exclamation mark
On arrival to a suspected explosive hazard, what information should the ic gather from the responsible person?
- quantity
- type
- location
- storage
- separation
- involvement
- site plans
- fixed installations
- safety control measures
- building design features
What priority message must be sent when explosives are confirmed?
’ explosives confirmed involved’
If the ic believes that explosives have been subject to heating or fire, what should be done?
- set up cordon
* withdraw all personnel and public
Once explosives are ignited, can they be extinguished?
No
What is the maximum storage of fireworks for domestic use for a shop?
250kg in ISO container
How much black powder are gun enthusiasts holding a ‘acquire and keep certificate’ allowed to keep?
20kg
What are ‘railway fog signals?’
- small round discs with 8g black powder
- Small primary charge
- make noise but do not fragment
- treated as high explosive when stored in bulk in metal boxes
What size cordon should be set up for explosives up to 250kg?
200m
What size cordon should be set up for explosives 251kg-2000kg and any military explosive munitions?
600m
What size cordon should be set up for explosives over 2000kg?
1000m
How are explosive hazards identified?
‘Yankee hazard’
