La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § I-1515

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-1515 - Storage of Blasting Agents

A. Blasting agents and oxidizers used for mixing of blasting agents shall be stored in the manner set forth in this Section. Storage of explosives in active underground operations is exempt from the rules and regulations set forth in this Section, but must comply with all applicable federal regulations set forth in 30 CFR Part 57 . Underground mine storage will provide all adequate safety and security procedures necessary to ensure that unlicensed personnel will not have access to explosives. Such security must be approved by the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services.

B. Blasting agents or oxidizers when stored in conjunction with explosives shall be stored in the manner set forth in §1509, §1511 and §1513 The quantity of blasting agents or oxidizers shall be included when computing the total quantity of explosives for determining distance requirements.

C. Blasting agents, when stored entirely separate from other explosives, shall be stored in one-story warehouses without basements. These warehouses shall be:

1. noncombustible or fire resistive;

2. constructed so as to eliminate open floor drains and piping into which molten materials could flow and be confined in case of fire;

3. weather resistant;

4. well ventilated; and

5. equipped with a strong door kept securely locked except when open for business.

D. Semi-trailer or full vans used for highway or on-site transportation of blasting agents are satisfactory for temporarily storing these materials, provided they are located according to the American Table of Distances with respect to inhabited buildings, passenger railroads and public highways. Trailers shall be provided with approved locking devices, and the trailer doors shall be kept locked, except during the time of placement and removal of stocks of blasting agents.

E. Warehouses used for the storage of blasting agents separate from other explosives shall be located as follows.

1. Warehouses used for the storage of blasting agents shall be located in accordance with the provisions of the American Table of Distances with respect to inhabited buildings, passenger railroads and public highways.

2. If both blasting agents and oxidizers are handled or stored within the distance limitations prescribed in §1507, one-half the weight of the oxidizer shall be added to the weight of the blasting agent to determine the proper distance for compliance with the American Table of Distances.

3. Smoking, matches, open flames, spark producing devices and firearms shall be prohibited inside of or within 50 feet of any warehouse used for the storage of blasting agents. Combustible materials shall not be stored within 50 feet of warehouses used for the storage of blasting agents.

F. The interior of warehouses used for the storage of blasting agents shall be kept clean and free from debris and empty containers. Spilled materials shall be cleaned up promptly and safely removed. Combustible materials, flammable liquids, corrosive acids, chlorates, nitrates or similar materials shall not be stored in any warehouse used for blasting agents unless separated therefrom by a fire resistive separation of not less than one hour resistance.

G. Floors in storage warehouses shall be of concrete. Underground storage such as in salt mines are exempt from this requirement.

H. Bags of blasting agents, when stored in other than magazines or lined trailers, shall not be piled less than 30 inches from the building walls in piles not more than 12 feet in width, with aisles not less than 30 inches between piles. If the storage building has foundation and roof ventilation and has an air space between the floor perimeter and the walls, the 30-inch spacing from walls may be disregarded. Piles of blasting agents shall not be higher than within 36 inches of the eave line of the roof or the supporting and spreader beams overhead.

I. Piles of oxidizers and warehouses containing oxidizers shall be adequately separated from readily combustible fuels.

J. Caked oxidizers, either in bags or in bulk, shall not be loosened by blasting.

K. Every warehouse used for the storage of blasting agents shall be under the supervision of a competent person.

L. The Department of Public Safety has the authority to and may designate the location for, and limit the quantity of blasting agents which may be loaded, unloaded, reloaded, or temporarily retained at any facility within the jurisdiction; provided, however, nothing in this Subsection shall be construed so as to be in conflict with these rules and regulations and the Table of Distances in particular.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § I-1515

Filed by the Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, at the Office of the State Register, 1974, promulgated and amended LR 10:803 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Transportation and Environmental Safety Section, Explosive Control Unit, LR 22:1230 (December 1996).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1472.1 et seq.