The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America

Subpart 146.20-Detailed Regulations Governing Explosives

SOURCE: The provisions of this Subpart 146.20 contained in CGFR 52-8, 17 F.R. 6464, July 17, 1952, unless otherwise noted.

§ 146.20-1 An explosive.

For the purpose of the regulations in this subchapter an explosive is defined as any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, i.e., with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, unless such compound, mixture, or device is otherwise specifically classified in the regulations in this part.

[CGFR 52-8, 17 F.R. 6464, July 17, 1952] § 146.20-3 Prohibited or not permitted explosives.

The offering of the following explosives for transportation, carriage, conveyance, storage, stowage, or use on board vessels is forbidden:

(a) Fulminates or other detonating compounds in bulk in dry condition.

(b) Explosive compositions that ignite spontaneously or undergo marked decomposition when subjected for 48 consecutive hours to a temperature of 75° C. (167° F.).

(d) Liquid nitroglycerin, diethylene glycol dinitrate, or other liquid explosives not authorized by the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

(e) Explosives condemned by the Department of Transportation (except properly packed samples for laboratory examinations). Appeal may be made to the Department of Transportation from such condemnations.

Radioactive

plus yellow.

Stowage:

"On deck in open." "On deck protected." "On deck under cover." "Tween decks." "Under deck." Outside packaging:

Any packaging authorized by this table for solid radioactive materials, low specific activity, or fissile radioactive material, as appropriate. (Low specific activity material and fissile radioactive material are defined in § 146.19-1.)

(f) Leaking or damaged packages of explosives.

(g) Condemned or leaking dynamite shall not be repacked and offered for shipment unless written authority is granted by the Department of Transportation and the repacking is done by a competent person in the presence of an inspector designated by the Department of Transportation.

(h) Firecrackers, flash crackers, salutes, or similar commercial devices which produce or are intended to produce an audible effect, the explosive content of which exceeds 12 grains each in weight, and pest control bombs, the explosive content of which exceeds 18 grains in weight; and any such devices, without respect to explosive content, which on functioning are liable to proJect or disperse metal, glass or brittle plastic fragments.

(i) Fireworks that combine an explosive and a detonator or blasting cap. (j) Fireworks containing an ammonium salt and a chlorate.

(k) Fireworks containing yellow or white phosphorus.

(1) Fireworks or fireworks compositions that ignite spontaneously or undergo marked decomposition when subjected for 48 consecutive hours to a temperature of 75° C. (167° F.).

(m) Fireworks condemned by the Department of Transportation except properly repacked samples for laboratory examinations.

(n) Toy torpedoes, the maximum outside dimension of which exceeds 8 inch, or toy torpedoes containing a mixture of potassium chlorate, black antimony and sulfur with an average weight of explosive composition in each torpedo exceeding 4 grains.

(0) Toy torpedoes containing a cap composed of a mixture of red phosphorus and potassium chlorate exceeding an average of one-half (0.5) grain per cap. (p) Fireworks containing copper sulfate and a chlorate.

(q) New explosives and explosive devices except samples for laboratory examination and military explosives of a security classification approved by the United States Army Materiel Command; Commander, Naval Ordnance Systems Command, Department of the Navy; or Commander, Air Force Systems Command and Commander, Air Force Logistics Command, Department of the Air Force. All other new explosives must be approved for transportation by the Department of Transportation. (r) Loaded firearms.

[CGFR 52–8, 17 F.R. 6464, July 17, 1952, as amended by CGFR 56-29, 21 F.R. 7055, Sept. 20, 1956; CGFR 58-48, 23 F.R. 9635, Dec. 12, 1958; CGFR 62-48, 27 F.R. 12133, Dec. 7, 1962; CGFR 66-65, 31 F.R. 15574, Dec. 10, 1966]

§ 146.20-5 Acceptable explosives.

(a) Acceptable explosives are divided by the Department of Transportation regulations into three classes according to degree of hazard in transportation, as follows:

Class A explosives, detonating or otherwise of maximum hazard.

Class B explosives, inflammable hazard.
Class C explosives, minimum hazard.

(b) Acceptable explosives are defined by the Department of Transportation regulations as set forth in this subpart, and such definitions are binding upon all shippers making shipments of any explosives by common carrier vessels engaged in interstate or foreign commerce by water. Such definitions are accepted

RR. car ferry, passenger or vehicle

Ferry stowage (BB).

Outside packaging:

and adopted and form part of the regulations in this subchapter applying to all shippers making shipments of explosives by any vessel and shall apply to the owners, charterers, agents, masters or persons in charge of vessels and to other persons transporting, carrying, conveying, storing, stowing or using explosives on board any vessel.

§ 146.20-7 Class A explosives.

Class A explosives are defined as:

(a) Type 1. Solid explosives which can be caused to deflagrate by contact with sparks or flame such as produced by safety fuse or an electric squib, but cannot be detonated' by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap.' Examples: Black powder and low explosives.

(b) Type 2. Solid explosives which contain a liquid explosive ingredient, and which, when unconfined,' can be detonated by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap;' or which can be exploded in at least 50 percent of the trials in the Bureau of Explosives' Impact Apparatus, under a drop of 4 inches or more, but cannot be exploded in more than 50 percent of the trials under a drop of less than 4 inches. Examples: Commercial dynamite containing a liquid explosive ingredient.

1 The detonation test is performed by placing the sample in an open-end fiber tube which is set on the end of a lead block approximately 11⁄2 inches in diameter and 4 inches high which, in turn, is placed on a solid base. A steel plate may be placed between the fiber tube and the lead block.

A No. 8 test blasting cap is one containing 2 grams of a mixture of 80 percent mercury Footnotes continued on p. 110.

confined, by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap; ' or which can be exploded in at least 50 percent of the trials in the Bureau of Explosives' Impact Apparatus' under a drop of 4 inches or more, but cannot be exploded in more than 50 percent of the trials under a drop of less than 4 inches. Examples: Commercial dynamite containing no liquid explosive ingredient, trinitrotoluene, amatol, tetryl, picric acid, urea nitrate, pentolite and commercial boosters.

(d) Type 4. Solid explosives which can be caused to detonate, when unconfined, by contact with sparks or flame such as produced by safety fuse or an electric squib; or which can be exploded in the Bureau of Explosives' Impact Apparatus in more than 50 percent of the trials under a drop of less than 4 inches. Examples: Initiating and priming explosives, lead azide, fulminate of mercury, etc.

(e) Type 5. Desensitized liquid explosives are explosives which may be detonated separately, or when absorbed in sterile absorbent cotton, by a No. 8 test blasting cap; but which cannot be exploded in the Bureau of Explosives' Impact Apparatus' by a drop of less than 10 inches. The desensitizer must not be significantly more volatile than nitroglycerin and the desensitized explosive must not freeze at temperatures above minus 10° F. Example: Desensitized nitroglycerin.

(f) Type 6. Liquid explosives that can be exploded in the Bureau of Explosives' Impact Apparatus' under a drop of less than 10 inches. Example: Nitroglycerin. See "Prohibited or not permitted explosives" in § 146.20-3.

(g) Type 7. (1) Blasting caps' are small tubes, usually made of an alloy of either copper or aluminum, or of molded plastic, closed at one end and loaded with a charge of initiating or priming explosives, Class A-Type 4, either with or

Footnotes continued from p. 109. fulminate and 20 percent potassium chlorate, or a cap of equivalent strength.

"Unconfined" as used in this section does not exclude the use of a paper or soft fiber tube wrapping te facilitate tests.

The Bureau of Explosives impact apparatus is a testing device designed so that a guided 8-pound weight may be dropped from predetermined heights so as to impact specific quantities of liquid or solid materials under fixed conditions. Detailed prints may be obtained from the Bureau of Explosives, 63 Vesey Street, New York. 7, N. Y.

without other suitable explosives.

The total weight of explosives per unit shall not exceed 150 grains. Blasting caps which have been provided with a means for firing by an electric current, and sealed, are known as electric blasting caps.

(2) Detonating primers are devices for commercial use which contain a detonator and an additional charge of explosives, all assembled in a suitable envelope.

(3) Detonating fuzes, class A explosives, are used in the military service to detonate the high explosive bursting charges of projectiles, mines, bombs, torpedoes, and grenades. In addition to a powerful detonator, they may contain several ounces of a high explosive, such as tetryl or dry nitrocellulose, all assembled in a heavy steel envelope. They may also contain a small amount of radioactive component. Those that are so made and packed that they will not cause functioning of other fuzes, explosives, or explosive devices in the same or adjacent containers are classed as class C explosives.

(h) Type 8. (1) Any solid or liquid compound, mixture or device which is not specifically included in any of the above types, and which under special conditions may be so designated and approved by the Bureau of Explosives. Example: Shaped charge, commercial.

(2) A shaped charge, commercial, consists of a plastic, paper, or other suitable container comprising a charge of not to exceed 8 ounces of a high explosive containing no liquid explosive ingredient and with a hollowed-out portion (cavity) lined with a rigid material. Detonators or other initiating elements shall not be assembled in the device.

(1) Charged oil well jet perforating guns. Charged oil well jet perforating guns are steel tubes, metallic strips, or tubular frameworks into which are inserted shaped charges connected in series by primacord. These devices are not permitted to be shipped as cargo on board any vessel subject to the regulations in this subchapter. Charged oil well jet perforating guns when carried in special motor vehicles under the conditions prescribed in 49 CFR 173.80 or on offshore downhole tool pallets, and accompanied by personnel trained in the safe handling

Blasting caps, blasting caps with safety fuse, or electric blasting caps in quantities of 1,000 or less are classified as Class O explosives.

of these devices are classed as Class C explosives: Provided, That:

(1) No blasting caps, electric blasting caps or other firing devices shall be affixed or installed in the guns.

(2) Each shaped charge shall contain not over 4 ounces of explosives.

(3) Each shaped charge if not completely enclosed in glass or metal shall be fully protected by a metal cover after installation in the gun.

(4) The total weight of the explosive contents of shaped charges assembled in guns being carried does not exceed 20 pounds per vehicle, pallet or vessel.

(j) Type 9. Propellant explosives, Class A, are solid chemicals or solid mixtures which are designed to function by rapid combustion of successive layers, generally with little or no smoke. The combustion is controlled by composition, size, and form of grain. Propellant explosives, Class A, include some types of smokeless powder and some types of solid propellant explosives for jet thrust units, rockets or other devices. Any propellant explosive in Class A which detonates in any one out of five trials when tested in the packages in which it is offered for transportation. In conducting the test, one propellant container shall be surrounded by inert loaded containers of the same weight, including one inert container placed on top of the propellant container. The propellant shall be ignited by means of a commercial electric squib placed within 4 inches of the bottom of the container. The presence of a crater and the absence of flame shall be considered as evidence of detonation.

[CGFR 52-8, 17 FR. 6464, July 17, 1952; CGFR 52-62, 17 F.R. 11881, Dec. 31, 1952, as amended by CGFR 53-54, 18 F.R. 8281, Dec. 16, 1953; CGFR 54-52, 19 F.R. 8514, Dec. 14, 1954; CGFR 55-20, 20 F.R. 4053, June 10, 1555; CGFR 57-33, 22 F.R. 8572, Oct. 29, 1957; CGFR 57-49, 22 F.R. 10060, Dec. 14, 1957; CGFR 59-46, 24 F.R. 9391, Nov. 21, 1959; 65-52, 30 F.R. 15216, Dec. 9, 1965; CGFR 68-66, 33 F.R. 8451, June 7, 1968]

§ 146.20-9 Class B explosives.

(a) Class B explosives are defined as those explosives which in general function by rapid combustion rather than detonation and include some explosive devices, such as special fireworks, flash powders, some pyrotechnic signal devices and liquid or solid propellant explosives which include some smokeless powders.

(b) Propellant explosives, Class B, are solid or liquid chemicals or chemical mix

tures which function by combustion. The combustion is controlled by composition, size, form of grain, or other chemical or mechanical means. Any propellant is Class B which fails to detonate in five trials when tested in the package in which it is offered for shipment. In conducting the test, one propellant container shall be surrounded by inert loaded containers of the same weight, including one inert container. placed on top of the propellant container. The propellant shall be ignited by means of a commercial electric squib placed within 4 inches of the bottom of the container. The presence of a crater and absence of flame shall be considered as evidence of detonation. Propellant explosives, Class B, include smokeless powder for small arms, smokeless powder for cannon, liquid monopropellant fuel, smokeless powder, or solid propellant explosives for rockets, jet thrust units, or other devices. Black powder is not included in this classification and is defined in § 146.20-7(a). Fire extinguisher charges containing not to exceed 50 grains of propellant explosives per unit are exempt from the regulations in this part.

[CGFR 65-52, 30 F.R. 15216, Dec. 9, 1965] § 146.20-11 Class C explosives.

Class C explosives are defined as certain types of manufactured articles which contain Class A or Class B explosives, or both, as components but in restricted quantities, and certain types of fireworks.

[CGFR 65-52, 30 F.R. 15216, Dec. 9, 1965] § 146.20-13 Samples of explosives and explosive articles for laboratory and examination purposes.

(a) New explosives, including fireworks and explosive devices, other than Army, Navy or Air Force explosive or chemical ammunition of a security classification, must be approved by the DOT as safe for transportation before being offered for shipment, except that a sample of such explosives, fireworks and explosive devices, not to exceed 5 pounds net weight, may be offered for transportation on board cargo vessels subject to the regulations in this subchapter for the purpose of this examination. Samples of explosives, except liquid nitroglycerin, other than new explosives

for laboratory examination not exceeding 5 pounds net weight may be offered for transportation by cargo vessels subject to the regulations of this subchapter. For the purposes of the regulations in this part a new explosive, including fireworks and explosive devices, is the product of a new factory or an explosive or explosive device of an essentially new composition or character made by any factory.

(b) Before being offered for shipment, explosive articles in the experimental state must be made safe by removal of ignition elements or otherwise.

(c) Shipments of samples of explosives, fireworks and explosive devices must be packed, marked and described as required by the Department of Transportation regulations in effect at the time of shipment for the explosive contained therein.

(d) Label. Each outside package containing samples of explosives for laboratory examination will have securely and conspicuously attached to it a square red label as shown under subpart pertaining to shipper's requirements. [CGFR 52-8, 17 F.R. 6464, July 17, 1952, as amended by CGFR 59-14, 24 FR. 5270, June 30, 1959]

§ 146.20-15 Stowage of explosives.

(a) All articles of cargo classified as explosives by the regulations in this subpart shall be stowed on board a vessel in conformity with the conditions specified for the individual articles as set forth in Tables A, B, and C in §§ 146.20-100, 146.20-200, and 146.20-300. Mixed stowage of explosives with other explosives shall be in conformity with the stowage chart 146.20-90. Magazine specifications required for stowage of explosives are detailed in subpart 146.09.

(b) Vessels engaged in transfer of explosives between receiving points and delivery points within the harbors, bays, sounds, lakes and rivers including the explosive anchorages on the navigable waters may, when transporting explosives, stow such cargo "On deck in open", "On deck under cover", or "Under deck." Explosives stowed "On deck in open" shall after loading and during transportation be covered by fire-resistant and/ or flame-proof tarpaulins securely lashed in place.

[CGFR 64-20, 29 F.R. 6790, May 23, 1964]

§ 146.20-16 Stowage of blasting caps and small quantities of other explosives.

(a) The District Commander or the Captain of the Port may approve the stowage of blasting caps or small quantities of explosives in locations other than "Under deck", such as in an isolated compartment, mast or deck house, or in magazines (which may be portable) secured "On deck" provided:

(1) No other stowage is available. (2) The compartment or area is sheathed with wood.

(3) The location is at least 8 feet from the vessel's side.

(4) The stowage is separated from other incompatible explosives and other dangerous articles by at least a permanent steel deck or bulkhead and a minimum distance of 25 feet. A minimum distance of 10 feet is permitted if two steel decks or bulkheads separate the stowages. On deck, with no steel deck or bulkhead intervening, the separation shall not be less than 40 feet in any direction.

(b) "Under deck" stowage of blasting caps (more than 1000) shall be according to the compatibility requirements for Class A explosives. A minimum distance of 25 feet and a permanent steel bulkhead or deck shall intervene between the stowage of blasting caps and other incompatible explosives.

(c) Blasting caps (1000 or less) being transported with other dangerous cargoes shall be stowed according to the compatibility requirements applicable to Class C explosives.

(d) Stowage of blasting caps in any amount being transported with other explosives shall conform with the compatibility requirements set forth in § 146.2090, stowage and storage chart for explosives.

[CGFR 64-20, 29 F.R. 6790, May 23, 1964] § 146.20-17 Stowage of explosives in holds containing coal.

Unless specifically authorized by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, explosives shall not be stowed in a hold containing coal, nor shall explosives be stowed in a hold above or adjacent to a hold containing coal.

[OGFR 62-11, 27 FR. 5282, June 5, 1962]

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