# NB Blasters Manual - Table of Contents

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## Attribution

This material was designed and prepared by **Stephen McIsaac** for his instruction of Blasting courses.

Permission was provided for use by his Estate.

**37 years experience**
1977 - 2014

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## Caveat

The facts stated here and the recommendations as to how to accomplish specific tasks with the use of explosives are based upon the best available information, field trials, and the experience of several highly trained and experienced explosives specialists. The reader should be aware that there is no means by which this or any other book can cover the equipment, explosives and techniques which will fit all of the circumstances and conditions which may be encountered in the field.

There is no express or implied guarantee that the methods described here will produce exactly what is needed or guarantee the safety of those who use the information contained in this book. As we state in the introduction, blasting is an inherently hazardous occupation; and should not be attempted by anyone who does not have the necessary knowledge and training.

This book is meant to be a guide, and only a guide, for individuals who have the training, knowledge and experience to understand what is stated, and to use that information in a safe, proper and intelligent manner. The authors of this manual can not accept responsibility for the results of its use.

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## Introduction

This manual has been written to provide a structured, understandable, illustrated course in the handling and use of explosives in both small and large blasting projects, to be undertaken by BLASTER'S. It is intended to also provide BLASTER'S who engage in specialized blasting with an understanding of the fundamentals and essentials of safe and efficient explosive usage.

To a large extent this manual is a compilation of data collected from many sources that has been organized into one volume. No originality is claimed for much of this material.

Before proceeding, you should know that no book is a "HOW TO DO IT" text for blasting. The use of explosives is hazardous and requires TRAINING as well as book knowledge. Before going out with manual in hand and explosives in a truck, some "hands on" training is a necessity.

It is impossible to place too much emphasis on the safety requirements in blasting. Anyone using explosives assumes the absolute responsibility, both moral and legal, for the results of their work. Explosives are like the label says, "DANGEROUS"! An incompetent or careless user of explosives is also dangerous. Put the two together and you have all the essentials for tragedy.

> **There is an excellent rule for dealing with explosives: "IF IN DOUBT, DON'T DO IT!"**

In the field of blasting, experience seems to be the ultimate criteria for competence. How often have I heard someone say "OLD BOOM-BOOM WALTERS" is the best blaster around; he has 30 years experience. Or sometimes 20 years, if "BOOM-BOOM" is under 50 years old. What that has to do with anything is more than I have been able to fathom. Competence in anything does indeed take some practice. It also, and more importantly, takes technical knowledge. Technical knowledge does not necessarily come from experience. Because you have blasted 500 tree stumps does not mean that you are ready to blast a rock which has been found in someone's basement. You shouldn't take on dropping some smoke stack in the middle of an alleyway either.

This manual, then, is a guide, a help for those who already have proper hands on training and who know what they are about. The techniques are tested and reliable. They work under most circumstances, but neither this author nor anyone else can guarantee the results from their use. There are simply too many variables. Approach each blasting job as if someone else's life depends upon your ability and knowledge, because it DOES.

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## Chapter One: Explosives Products

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Chemistry and Physics of Explosives | 2 |
| Reactive Ingredients | 2 |
| Elements in Explosives | 2 |
| Oxygen-Balanced | 2 |
| Types of Explosives and Blasting Agents | 5 |
| High Explosives | 5 |
| Blasting Agents | 5 |
| Nitroglycerin-Based Explosives | 5-7 |
| Straight Nitroglycerin Dynamite | 7 |
| High-Density Ammonia Dynamite | 7 |
| Low-Density Ammonia Dynamite | 7 |
| Blasting Gelatin | 7 |
| Straight Gelatin | 7 |
| Ammonia Gelatin | 8 |
| Semigelatin | 8 |
| Nitrostarch Explosives | 8 |
| Ammonium Nitrate - Fuel Oil (ANFO) | 8 |
| Properties of Dry Blasting Agents | 8 |
| Coupling Ratio | 9 |
| ANFO Mixes | 9 |
| Specific Gravity and ANFO | 10 |
| Detonation Velocity of ANFO | 10 |
| Wet Holes | 10 |
| Purchased Forms of Dry Blasting Agents | 11 |
| Slurries, Water Gels, Emulsions | 11 |
| Composition of Slurries | 11 |
| Water Resistance of Slurry Type Products | 11 |
| Classification of Slurry Type Products | 11 |
| Efficiency | 12 |
| Sensitivity | 12 |
| Cartridged Products | 12 |
| Detonating Cord Downlines and Blasting Agent Slurries | 12 |
| Heavy ANFO | 13 |
| Primers and Boosters | 13 |
| Cast Primers | 13 |
| Primers and Borehole Size | 13 |
| Black Powder | 14 |
| Properties of Explosives | 14 |
| Strength | 15 |
| Detonation Velocity | 16 |
| Density | 16 |
| Water Resistance | 16 |
| Fume Class | 17 |
| Detonation Pressure | 18 |
| Borehole Pressure | 18 |
| Sensitivity | 19 |
| Sensitiveness | 19 |
| Explosive Selection Criteria | 20 |
| Charge Diameter Considerations | 20-21 |
| Cost of Drilling | 21 |
| Drilling and Fragmentation Difficulties | 21 |
| ANFO Water Resistance | 22 |
| Factors Influencing Toxic Fumes | 22 |
| ANFO Underground | 23 |
| Atmospheric Temperature | 23 |
| Propagating Ground | 23 |
| Dead Pressed ANFO or Slurry | 24 |
| Storage Considerations | 24 |
| Two-Compound Explosives | 24 |
| Sensitivity Considerations | 24 |
| Explosive Atmospheres | 25 |

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## Chapter Two: Initiation and Priming

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Initiation Systems | 26 |
| Three Parts of an Initiation System | 26 |
| Types of Initial Energy Source | 26 |
| Distribution Networks | 26 |
| Delay Series | 27 |
| Instantaneous Detonator | 27 |
| Delay Detonators | 27 |
| Slow Delays | 27 |
| Millisecond Delays | 27 |
| Iron Leg Wires | 28 |
| Electric Initiation | 28 |
| Initiation Mechanism of an Electric Blasting Cap | 28 |
| Electric Blasting Cap Leg Wires | 28 |
| Magnadet | 30 |
| Series Circuit | 30 |
| Connecting Wire | 30 |
| The Firing Line | 30 |
| Parallel Series Circuit | 31 |
| Parallel Circuit | 32 |
| Resistance of a Series Circuit | 33 |
| Circuit Calculation of a Straight Parallel Circuit | 34 |
| Storage and Dry Cell Batteries | 34 |
| Capacitor Discharge (CD) Machine | 35 |
| Operation of Capacitor Discharge Machines | 35 |
| Sequential Blasting Machine | 35 |
| Powerline Blasting | 35 |
| Blasting Circuits Must be Checked | 36 |
| Checking Resistance of the Circuit | 37 |
| Checking Connecting Wires | 37 |
| Testing for a Break in the Firing Line | 37 |
| Current Leakage | 37 |
| Static Electricity | 38 |
| Electrical Storms | 38 |
| Radio Frequency Energy Hazard | 38 |
| Powerlines | 38 |
| Advantages of Electric Blasting | 39 |
| Exploding Bridge Wire | 39 |
| Detonating Cord Initiation | 39 |
| Detonation and Detonation Velocity | 39 |
| Trunklines | 39 |
| Cord Strengths Less Than 25 Grains Per Foot | 40 |
| Downlines | 41 |
| Millisecond Delays | 41 |
| Axial Initiation When Using Cap-Sensitive Explosives | 41 |
| Surface Delay Connectors | 42 |
| Surface Delay and Cutoffs | 42 |
| Detonating Rate of Detonating Cord | 43 |
| When Detonation Cord Downlines are Used | 43 |
| Primaline Primadet | 44 |
| Combination Surface and In-Hole Delays | 44 |
| Delay Cast Primers | 44 |
| Primary Advantages of Detonating Cord Initiation Systems | 44 |
| Safety Precaution | 45 |
| Cap-and-Fuse Initiation | 45 |
| Detonator Used in Cap and Fuse System | 45 |
| Assembly of Cap and Fuse | 45 |
| Burning Rate of Safety Fuse | 46 |
| Lighting Mechanism for Cap and Fuse | 46 |
| Ignitacord Connector | 46 |
| Water Deterioration | 47 |
| When Using Ignitacord or Quarry Cord | 47 |
| Fuse Lighting | 47 |
| To Avoid Misfires | 47 |
| Timing of Holes | 47 |
| Disadvantages of Cap and Fuse | 47 |
| Advantages of Cap and Fuse | 48 |
| Shock Tube Initiation | 48 |
| Shock Tube Initiation System | 48 |
| Noiseless Lead-in Line Detonation | 49 |
| Initiation of Noiseless Lead-in Line | 49 |
| Cutting and Splicing | 49 |
| Shock Tube and Detonation Cord Trunkline | 49 |
| Connect Shock Tube Trunkline Delay Unit | 49 |
| Initiating the System | 49 |
| Underground Initiation | 50 |
| Pneumatic Loading | 50 |
| Advantages of the Shock Tube System | 50 |
| Priming | 50 |
| Effect of Cord on Blasting Agents | 50 |
| Large Diameter Blastholes | 51 |
| Transient Detonation Velocity | 51 |
| Large-Diameter Slurry Columns | 51 |
| Delay Cast Primers | 52 |
| Primer Makeup | 52 |
| Outside Primer Makeup Facility | 52 |
| For Small Diameter Holes | 52 |
| Procedure for Safety Fuse | 52 |
| Attaching Detonating Cord to Small-Diameter Primer Cartridge | 53 |
| General Consideration | 53 |
| Bench Blasting, Bulk Loaded Products, and Subdrilling | 53 |
| Large Diameter Blastholes | 53 |
| Deck Charges | 54 |
| Multiple Priming as a Safety Factor | 54 |
| Detonation Sequence of Multiple Delayed Decks | 54 |
| Axial Priming | 54 |

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## Chapter Three: Blasthole Loading

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Blasthole Loading | 55 |
| Electrical Storms | 55 |
| Checking the Blasthole | 55 |
| Before Loading Blastholes | 55 |
| Obstructed Boreholes | 55 |
| Redrilling | 55 |
| Checking Holes for Water | 56 |
| Voids in the Blasthole | 56 |
| Plugging a Blasthole | 56 |
| Hotholes | 56 |
| General Loading Procedures | 57 |
| Check Rise of Powder Column | 57 |
| Charge Coupling | 57 |
| Stemming | 57 |
| Wet Boreholes | 58 |
| Small-Diameter Blastholes | 58 |
| Loading Small-Diameter Blastholes | 58 |
| Cartridged Products | 58 |
| Pneumatic Systems for Water Gel Cartridges | 58 |
| Bulk Dry Blasting Agents | 59 |
| Pneumatic Loading of ANFO | 59 |
| Pressure Vessel Type ANFO Loader | 59 |
| Venturi-Type ANFO Loader | 60 |
| Small-Diameter Holes, Soft Formations, and High-Pressure Ejector Loader | 60 |
| Static Electricity and Pneumatic Loaders | 60 |
| General Recommendations | 60 |
| Pneumatic Loading and Wet Holes | 60 |
| Bulk Slurries | 61 |
| Large-Diameter Blastholes | 61 |
| Blasthole Diameters Larger Than 4 Inches | 61 |
| Packaged ANFO Products | 61 |
| Packaged Slurry Products | 61 |
| Bulk Dry Blasting Agents | 61 |
| Bulk Loading Systems for ANFO | 61 |
| Auger Loading of ANFO | 62 |
| Pneumatic Loading of ANFO | 62 |
| Hand Pouring ANFO | 62 |
| Bulk Slurries | 62 |
| Onsite Slurry Mixing | 62 |
| Hand Pouring of Slurry | 62 |

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## Chapter Four: Blast Design

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Introduction to Blast Design | 63 |
| Blast Design Is Not a Precise Science | 63 |
| Major Principles of Blast Design | 63 |
| Properties and Geology of the Rock Mass | 63 |
| Keys to Characterizing the Rock Mass | 63 |
| Drilling Information | 64 |
| Rock Density | 64 |
| Rock Hardness | 64 |
| Voids and Incompetent Zones | 64 |
| Improving Fragmentation in Voids and Zones of Weakness | 65 |
| Rise of the Powder Column | 65 |
| Alternate Zones of Competent and Incompetent Rock | 65 |
| Jointing Can Effect | 65 |
| Perimeter Holes | 65 |
| Bedding Can Affect | 66 |
| Pronounced Bedding Plane | 66 |
| Dipping Beds | 66-67 |
| Surface Blasting | 67 |
| First Consideration of any Blast Design | 67 |
| Large Diameter Blastholes | 68 |
| Four-Hole Pattern (20-Inch Diameter Holes) | 68 |
| 400-Holes Pattern (2-inch Diameter Holes) | 68 |
| Geologic Structures | 68 |
| Collar Distance and Environmental Problems | 69 |
| Controlled Ground Vibrations | 69 |
| Selection of Blasthole Size | 70 |
| Three Commonly Used Drill Patterns | 70 |
| Square or Rectangular Drill Patterns | 70 |
| Burden | 71 |
| When Figuring the Burden | 72 |
| Charge Diameter | 73 |
| Burden Flexing and Rock Fragmentation | 74 |
| Subdrilling and Priming | 74 |
| Excessive Subdrilling | 74 |
| Collar Distance | 74 |
| Deck Charges | 75 |
| Public Relations and Collar Distance | 75 |
| Spacing | 75 |
| Too Wide a Spacing | 75 |
| Firing Holes in a Row on the Same Delay Period | 75 |
| Millisecond Delays and Spacing | 75 |
| Hole Depth-To-Burden Ratio | 76 |
| Bench Height | 77 |
| Long Slender Charges | 78 |
| Reasons to Use Millisecond Delays | 78 |
| Optimum Delay Intervals for Bench Blasting | 78 |
| In-Hole Delays | 79 |
| Delayed Decks | 79 |
| Delay Accuracy | 79 |
| General Formulas to Determine the Powder or Load Factor | 80 |
| Calculation of the Load Factor | 80 |
| Factors Contributing to a Lower Powder Factor | 80 |
| Secondary Blasting | 81 |
| Four Techniques for Secondary Fragmentation | 81 |
| Initiation Systems for Secondary Blasts | 82 |
| Safety Precautions for Secondary Blast | 82 |
| Controlled Blasting Techniques | 82 |
| Four Controlled Blasting Techniques | 82 |
| Line Drilling | 82 |
| Further Protection of the Final Perimeter | 83 |
| Conditions for Using Line Drilling | 83 |
| Presplitting | 83 |
| General Recommendations and Precautions for Presplitting | 83 |
| Smooth Blasting | 84 |
| An Alternative to Smooth Blasting | 84 |
| Some Advantages to Smooth Blasting | 84 |
| Cushion Blasting | 85 |
| Advantages of Cushion Blasting | 85 |
| Ditch Blasting | 85 |
| Preparation | 85 |
| Methods of Ditching | 87 |
| Single Line Method | 87 |
| Cross Section Method | 88 |
| Post Hole Method | 89 |
| Relief Method | 89 |
| Pond Blasting | 91 |
| Loading the Explosives | 92 |
| Stump Blasting | 93 |
| Estimating the Charge | 94 |
| Locating the Charge | 95 |
| Loading the Charge | 95 |
| Boulder Blasting | 95 |
| Blockhole Method | 96 |
| Mudcap Method | 97 |
| Snakehole Method | 97 |
| Ice Blasting | 97 |
| Blasting Old Foundations | 100 |
| Demolition Bridges/Piers | 101 |
| Trenching | 102 |
| Well Shooting | 103 |

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## Chapter Five: Environmental Effects of Blasting

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Introduction to Environmental Effects of Blasting | 104 |
| Four Environmental Effects of Blasting | 104 |
| Flyrock | 104 |
| Preblast Survey | 104 |
| Blasting Records | 104 |
| Blasting Record | 105 |
| Blasting Reports | 106 |
| Causes of Flyrock | 107 |
| Alleviation of Flyrock | 107 |
| Protection Against Injury and Damage From Flyrock | 108 |
| Ground Vibrations | 108 |
| Excessive Ground Vibrations | 108 |
| Delays and Vibrations | 109 |
| Geology and Vibrations | 109 |
| Overconfinement | 110 |
| Millisecond Delay Timing | 110 |
| Vibration Damage Levels | 110 |
| Complaints About Vibrations | 111 |
| Measuring Ground Vibrations | 111 |
| Operator-Attended Instruments | 111 |
| When Accelerations Larger Than 0.3g are Expected | 112 |
| Seismograph Records | 112 |
| Scaled Distance Equation | 112 |
| Techniques to Reduce Ground Vibrations | 113 |
| Airblast | 113 |
| Causes of Airblast | 114 |
| Airblast Levels | 114 |
| Airblast and Blasting Complaints | 114 |
| Measuring Airblast | 115 |
| Advantages of Airblast Recording | 115 |
| Techniques to Reduce Airblast | 115 |
| Public Reaction to Airblast | 116 |
| Dusts and Gases | 116 |

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## Chapter Six: Blasting Safety

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Precautions Before Loading | 118 |
| Blast Area Prior to Loading | 118 |
| Primer Safety | 118 |
| Making Primers | 118 |
| Large Cartridges as Primers | 119 |
| Connecting Detonating Cord to a Primer Cartridge | 119 |
| Borehole Loading | 119 |
| Electrical Storms | 119 |
| Explosive Column Buildup | 119 |
| Loading Small-Diameter Cartridges | 120 |
| Loading Large-Diameter Blastholes | 120 |
| Extraneous Electricity and Pneumatic Loading | 120 |
| Hooking Up the Shot | 120 |
| Crew Size | 120 |
| Blasting Electrically | 121 |
| After Hooking Up Electric Circuits | 121 |
| Firing Electric Blasts | 121 |
| Firing With Detonating Cord | 121 |
| Firing With Cap-and-Fuse | 122 |
| General Precautions | 122 |
| Shot Firing | 122 |
| Just Prior to Blasting | 122 |
| Guarding | 122 |
| Warning Persons of an Impending Blast | 123 |
| Precautions for Shot Firer | 123 |
| Contact Between the Shot Firer and The Guards | 123 |
| General Procedure When Shot Firing | 123 |
| Blasting at Night at Surface Mines | 123 |
| Postshot Safety | 124 |
| Flyrock | 124 |
| Reentering the Blast Site | 124 |
| Disposing of Misfires | 124 |
| Removing a Misfired Charge | 124 |
| Refiring a Misfired Charge | 124 |
| Drilling and Shooting a Hole Adjacent to a Misfire | 125 |

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## Chapter Seven: Accident Prevention

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Accident Prevention | 126 |
| Premature Firing of Electrical Blast | 126 |
| Stray Current | 126 |
| Galvanic Action | 127 |
| Static Electricity | 127 |
| Radio Frequency Energy | 129 |
| Extraneous Electrical Energy From Transmission Lines | 130 |
| Blasting Near Transmission Lines | 130 |
| Drilling Into Explosive | 131 |
| Unsafe Loading Practices | 132 |
| Delaying Too Long at the Face | 132 |
| Inadequate Guarding | 133 |
| Taking Insufficient Cover | 133 |
| Returning Too Soon After Blasting | 134 |
| Insufficient Ventilation After Blasting | 134 |
| Handling of Misfires | 135 |
| Accidental Initiation by Flame, Spark, etc. | 136 |
| Lightning | 137 |

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## Chapter Eight: Handling and Destruction of Explosives

| Topic | Page |
|-------|------|
| Handling and Destruction of Explosives | 138 |
| Handling Explosives | 138 |
| Burning Explosives | 138 |
| Destroying Different Products | 139 |
| Recommended Methods of Destruction | 139 |
| Burying Explosives | 139 |
| Tips | 140 |
| References | 156 |
| Notes | 160 |
| Annexes | A |

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## Acknowledgements and References

- Apollo Artworks, Bob Collette, Graphic design (Cover & Scanning)
- Ash, R.L., *The Mechanics of Rock Breakage*, Pit and Quarry, 1963
- Atlas Powder Co., *Handbook of Electric Blasting*, 1976
- Atlas Powder Co., *Pneumatic Loading of Nitro-Carbo-Nitrates*
- Chironis, N.P., *New Blasting Machine Permits Custom-Programmed Blast Patterns*, Coal Age, 1974
- CIL, *Blasting Ditches, Stumps, Boulders & Ponds*
- Condon, J.L. and J.J. Snodgrass, *Effects of Primer Type and Borehole Diameter on AN-FO Detonation Velocities*, 1974
- Damon, G.H. et al., *Safety Recommendations for Ammonium Nitrate-Based Blasting Agents*, BuMines IC 8746, 1977
- D'Andrea, D.V. and L.A. Fletcher, *Safeguarding of Blast-Affected Areas*, 1984
- Dick, R.A., *Explosives and Borehole Loading*, SME Mining Engineers, 1973
- Dick, R.A., *Factors in Selecting and Applying Commercial Explosives and Blasting Agents*, BuMines IC 8405, 1968
- Dick, R.A., *New Nonelectric Explosive Initiation Systems*, Pit & Quarry, 1976
- E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., *Blaster's Handbook*, 16th ed., 1978
- Ensign Bickford Co., *Primacord Detonating Cord*, 1963
- Fletcher, L.R. and D.V. D'Andrea, *A Study of Misfires in Mining*, 1985
- Hagan, T.N., *Optimum Priming for Ammonium Nitrate Fuel-Oil Type Explosives*, 1974
- Institute of Makers of Explosives, *Safety Guide for the Prevention of Radio Frequency Radiation Hazards*, Pub. No. 20, 1978
- Institute of Makers of Explosives, *The American Table of Distances*, Pub. No. 2, 1977
- Langefors, U. and N.A. Kihlstrom, *The Modern Technique of Rock Blasting*, John Wiley & Sons, 1963
- Monsanto Co., *AN-FO Manual*, 1972
- National Fire Protection Association, *Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, Sale, Possession and Use of Explosive Materials*, Pub. No. 3, 1980
- U.S. Bureau of Mines, various publications

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*This document is the property of Maritime Blasting Services Ltd., Moncton, NB*