Appendix B: Glossary of Commercial Explosives Industry Terms

This glossary contains definitions of terms commonly used in the commercial explosives industry.

A

ABSOLUTE BULK STRENGTH (ABS) The amount of energy released per unit weight by an explosive upon detonation. Also called WEIGHT STRENGTH.

ACCELERATION The rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

ACCELEROMETER A sensor that produces an electrical signal proportional to the instantaneous acceleration of the motion of the body on which it is mounted. There are many types and designs.

ACCEPTABLE PRODUCT Any explosive material which has passed all required tests and is in compliance with DOT regulations for transport and ICC and IME-22 regulations.

ACCESS CONTROL Measures taken to ensure only authorized personnel have access to explosives and blasting areas.

ACCESSORY A device or material used with explosive material that is in itself not explosive, but is essential to the firing of an explosive charge, such as blasting machines, blasting galvanometers, rheostats, cartridge punches, tamping bags, cap crimpers, reel and spool winders, blasting multimeters, etc.

ACOUSTIC IMPEDANCE The product of sonic velocity of a medium times its density. Sometimes referred to as CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCE.

ADIT A nearly horizontal passage from the surface by which a mine is entered and which also may serve for drainage.

AGENT BLASTING See BLASTING AGENT.

AIR BLAST An airborne pressure wave or sound wave, generated by the detonation of explosives.

AIR DECK An air space in a borehole, usually located between the bottom of stemming and the top of the explosive column.

AIR GAP SENSITIVITY Ability of an explosive to detonate even though a small space or air gap exists between adjacent cartridges.

AIR OVERPRESSURE Energy from a blast that is manifested in the air surrounding a blast site. The energy may take the form of noise and/or concussion.

AIRTRACK A mobile rock drilling machine that is pneumatically powered.

ALUMINIZED EXPLOSIVE An explosive product containing aluminum as an energizer.

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE The temperature of the surrounding environment.

AMMONIA DYNAMITE A dynamite containing ammonium nitrate as the principal oxidizing salt.

AMMONIUM NITRATE (AN) An oxidizer in the form of small porous spheres or prills used in a variety of explosive mixtures. See EXPLOSIVE GRADE AMMONIUM NITRATE.

AMMONIUM NITRATE/FUEL OIL (ANFO) See ANFO.

AMPLITUDE Maximum excursion of a wave from its mean or null position.

AN Ammonium nitrate.

ANGLE BOREHOLE A borehole drilled at an angle to the vertical.

ANGLE OF BREAKAGE The angle measured from the vertical to the actual line of breakage when shooting to a vertical free face.

ANFO An acronym for Ammonium Nitrate/Fuel Oil, a blasting agent made by mixing porous prills of ammonium nitrate with fuel oil. The most common mixture contains 94% AN and 6% fuel oil by weight.

ANTICLINE Rock layers that are folded upward, forming an arch.

AQUAGEL A trade name for a line of water gel explosive products.

AQUIFER A water bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel.

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials.

ATF Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE (REPRESENTATIVE OF EMPLOYER) A blaster or other person designated by management who meets specified skill levels and has the authority to perform specific operations requiring the use of explosive materials.

AVALANCHE BLASTING The use of explosives to initiate an avalanche under controlled conditions.

AVERAGE PARTICLE SIZE The arithmetic mean of the diameters of individual particles.

AWG American Wire Gauge.

B

BACK The ceiling or roof of an underground opening.

BACKBREAK Rock broken beyond the limits of the last row of holes in a blast.

BACK ROW The final row of holes in a blast adjacent to remaining rock.

BALLISTIC MORTAR A testing device for measuring the strength of explosives by comparison with a standard explosive.

BANDED COAL Coal occurring in distinct bands or layers.

BANK A mass of rock or material to be worked.

BARRICADE Natural features of the ground or a manufactured wall that will effectively screen a building from another building, container, railway, or highway.

BARRICADED Protected by an effective natural or manufactured barrier.

BASE CHARGE Main explosive charge in a detonator.

BASE SURGE A cloud of rock dust that moves outward at the base of a vertical rise of a shot from rock or dirt blasted out of a crater.

BEARING An angular measurement from a reference line, usually north or south through the point of observation.

BEDDING The layered structure in sedimentary rock that results from the deposition of materials.

BENCH A horizontal ledge in the side of an open pit or quarry along which holes are drilled.

BENCH BLASTING See PRODUCTION BLASTING.

BENCH HEIGHT The vertical distance from the top to the bottom of the bench or lift being blasted.

BINARY EXPLOSIVES A two-component explosive in which neither component is explosive by itself.

BIRDCAGE A term used to describe fraying or unwinding of the outer wires of a wire rope.

BIRDCAGING The unraveling of the wires in a wire rope.

BIT The cutting end of a drill steel.

BLACK POWDER Oldest explosive known; a mechanical mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. Also called GUNPOWDER.

BLAST The detonation of explosive material.

BLAST AREA That area around the blast site where there is a possibility of flying material causing injury to persons or damage to property during the blast.

BLASTER The person or persons authorized to use explosives for blasting and who is directly responsible for carrying out a blast.

BLASTERS' HANDBOOK A manual published by the International Society of Explosives Engineers containing information on the safe handling and use of commercial explosives.

BLAST HOLE A hole drilled for the purpose of being loaded with explosives.

BLASTING The operation of breaking rock by means of explosives.

BLASTING ACCESSORIES Non-explosive materials used in conjunction with blasting. Examples are blasting machines, blasting galvanometers, blasting multimeters, rheostats, cartridge punches, tamping rods, and cap crimpers.

BLASTING AGENT Any material or mixture, consisting of a fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting, not otherwise defined as an explosive, provided that the finished product, as mixed for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a No. 8 test detonator when unconfined.

BLASTING CAP A detonator containing a high explosive base charge designed to initiate other explosives. Also see DETONATOR.

BLASTING CIRCUIT An electric circuit used to fire electric detonators or to initiate action in nonelectric systems.

BLASTING CREW A group of workers who assist in the loading and firing of a blast.

BLASTING GALVANOMETER An instrument used to test electric blasting circuits and to test electric detonators for continuity.

BLASTING GELATINS A class of dynamite in which a portion of the nitroglycerin is gelatinized by dissolving nitrocellulose.

BLASTING LOG A record of pertinent data of all blasting operations on a site.

BLASTING MACHINE A device that generates electrical energy used to fire electric blasting caps or detonators.

BLASTING MAT A protective mat, usually woven from wire rope, used to prevent flyrock.

BLASTING POWDER See BLACK POWDER.

BLASTING SEISMOGRAPH An instrument used to measure and record ground vibrations induced by blasting.

BLASTING SWITCH A switch used in the circuit firing electric detonators.

BLEND A mixture of explosives; specifically, an ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture blended with emulsion or water gel.

BLOCK HOLING A method of secondary blasting in which a charge is placed in a hole drilled into a boulder.

BLOW OUT A violent escape of gasses from a blast hole during detonation.

BLUE TOPS Distinctive caps of a blue color covering the ends of detonators.

BOOSTER A sensitive explosive charge used to initiate other less sensitive explosives. Boosters contain no initiating device.

BOOSTER SENSITIVITY A measure of the minimum amount of energy required to reliably cause detonation of an explosive through use of a booster explosive.

BOREHOLE A hole drilled in rock or other materials for the purpose of accepting an explosive charge or other purposes.

BOTTOM PRIMING Placing the primer at the bottom of a borehole.

BRIDGEWIRE The resistance wire in an electric detonator through which electricity is passed to ignite the primer charge of the detonator.

BRISANCE The ability of an explosive to shatter or break rock by impact. Also see SHATTERING EFFECT.

BUBBLE ENERGY A measure of the explosive energy available for useful work.

BULK DELIVERY SYSTEM A system designed to deliver explosive material in bulk form for loading into boreholes.

BULK EXPLOSIVE Explosive material that is transported and loaded in bulk form as contrasted to packaged explosive material.

BULK MIX DELIVERY EQUIPMENT See BULK DELIVERY SYSTEM.

BULK STRENGTH The explosive energy released per unit volume.

BULLDOZE See MUDCAP.

BURDEN The distance from a charge to the nearest free face. Sometimes burden is distinguished from spacing as the distance between rows of holes.

BURN CUT A cut using closely spaced parallel holes, some of which are loaded with explosive, some not loaded.

BURNING The self-sustained and relatively slow chemical reaction of a substance with an oxidant, which produces heat and generally light.

BUTT The end of a drill steel that is struck by the drill piston.

BUTTON BIT A tungsten carbide drill bit with numerous rounded carbide cutting surfaces.

C

CABLE A stranded wire rope; also, electric conductors, insulated from one another.

CAP See DETONATOR.

CAP AND FUSE See SAFETY FUSE.

CAP CRIMPER A tool designed specifically to fasten a safety fuse to a blasting cap or detonator.

CAP SENSITIVITY The ability of an explosive to be detonated by a standard detonator.

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas.

CARTRIDGE A container of explosives of various forms and sizes, including a sleeved or wrapped cylindrical container of explosive, or rigid plastic tubes filled with explosives.

CAST BLASTING A blasting technique specifically designed to move overburden to the spoil pile on strip mining operations.

CAST BOOSTER A booster designed to withstand the loading of large diameter holes.

CAST PRIMER See CAST BOOSTER.

CHANNEL The frequency band of operation of a radio transmission.

CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCE See ACOUSTIC IMPEDANCE.

CHARGE A quantity of explosives loaded in a blasthole, etc.

CHARGE MASS (WEIGHT) The total mass (weight) of the explosive in a blasthole.

CHARGE WEIGHT PER DELAY The total charge weight initiated by the same delay period.

CIRCUIT A path over which electric current can flow.

CLAY A fine-grained material composed chiefly of hydrous aluminum silicates.

CLEARANCE DISTANCE A minimum distance from explosive materials within which certain types of exposures are not permitted.

COHESIVE SOIL A soil that, when unconfined, has considerable strength when air-dried and that has significant cohesion when submerged.

COLLAR The rock at or near the top of a blast hole; also, to start a drill hole.

COLLAR DISTANCE The distance from the borehole collar to the nearest free face.

COLLAR PRIMING Placing a primer near the top of the charge in a borehole.

COLUMN CHARGE An explosive charge in a borehole in which the charge is continuous.

COLUMN LOADING Placement of cartridges end-to-end in a borehole.

COMBUSTION A rapid oxidation process that releases heat and usually light.

COMMERCIAL BLASTING See BLASTING.

COMPARTMENT A subdivision of a storage structure.

COMPATIBILITY GROUP A letter designation specifying which explosive materials may be stored or transported together.

COMPETENT PERSON A person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

COMPLETE DETONATION A detonation in which all the explosive decomposes.

COMPOSITE PROPELLANT A propellant made from a mixture of oxidizers, fuels, and binders.

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH The maximum stress a material can withstand under compression.

COMPRESSIVE WAVE See P-WAVE.

CONCUSSION Effect of a blast that results from the rapid compression of air.

CONFINEMENT The degree to which an explosive charge is held in place.

CONNECTING WIRE Wire used to connect electric detonators in the blast circuit. Also called LEAD WIRE.

CONNECTOR A device used to connect shock tubes or to create a non-electric trunkline in a blast circuit.

CONSTRUCTION BLASTING Blasting operations done in conjunction with construction projects.

CONTOUR BLASTING See SMOOTH BLASTING.

CONTROLLED BLASTING Blasting techniques used to control the degree of overbreak and backbreak.

CORE The central portion of a wire rope around which the strands are laid; also, a cylindrical sample of rock taken from a borehole.

CORE LOAD The number of grains of explosive charge per foot of detonating cord.

CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE Mercuric chloride.

COUPLING The interaction between an explosive charge and the borehole wall.

COUPLING RATIO A measure of the air space between a charge and the borehole wall (charge diameter divided by borehole diameter).

CRACK See FRACTURE.

CRATER A depression in the ground formed by a surface or underground explosion.

CRATERING A blasting method that leaves a crater on the surface.

CREEP Slow displacement of rock or soil downslope under the influence of gravity.

CREST The top edge of a bench.

CRITICAL DIAMETER The minimum diameter of an explosive charge at which detonation can be reliably propagated.

CROSS BIT A rock drill bit having a cross-shaped cutting edge.

CROSSCUT A mine working driven horizontally and at right angles to the strike of a vein or orebody.

CRUSH ZONE The area of rock immediately surrounding the charge where the rock is crushed and pulverized by the detonation.

CURRENT The rate of flow of electrical charge; expressed in amperes.

CURRENT LEAKAGE The loss of electrical current from a blasting circuit due to faulty connections, wet or faulty insulation, or ground contact.

CUSHION BLASTING A controlled blasting technique in which final wall holes are loaded with light charges and detonated after the main blast.

CUT An excavation in earth or rock.

CUTOFF A situation where a portion of an explosive column or initiation system fails to detonate because it is severed by movement caused by an adjacent charge.

CUTTINGS The particles of rock removed from a borehole during drilling.

CYCLE TIME The total time required to complete all operations in one complete mining or blasting cycle.

D

DAMP To reduce the amplitude of vibration or oscillation.

DEAFEN To provide an atmosphere that makes explosives less sensitive.

DEAD PRESSING The desensitization of an explosive due to the removal of voids (compressed to a high density).

DECIBEL (dB) A unit for expressing the ratio of two amounts of power.

DECK A charge or section of explosive loaded in a borehole and separated from another charge by stemming or air.

DECK CHARGE See DECK.

DECKING The practice of separating two or more explosive charges in a borehole by stemming or an air gap.

DECOUPLED CHARGE An explosive charge in which the charge diameter is smaller than the borehole diameter.

DECOUPLING RATIO The ratio of the borehole diameter to the charge diameter.

DEFLAGRATION Rapid burning. A type of combustion in which the rate of reaction is less than the speed of sound in the material.

DELAY A device that slows the transmission of flame or detonation for a predetermined time interval; also, the time interval.

DELAY BLASTING A method of blasting in which the charges are detonated at intervals.

DELAY CONNECTOR A device designed to create a delayed detonation between trunklines.

DELAY DETONATOR A detonator containing a delay element.

DELAY ELEMENT A pyrotechnic device that delays the initiation of a detonator by a predetermined time.

DELAY INTERVAL The time between successive detonations.

DELAY TIME The lapse of time between the application of a firing signal and the detonation of the base charge of a delay detonator.

DEMIL (DEMILITARIZED) EXPLOSIVES Explosive products that contain certain types of military explosives as major ingredients or components.

DENSITY The mass of an explosive per unit of volume, usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter or pounds per cubic foot. (Also see SPECIFIC GRAVITY.)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) A cabinet-level agency of the federal government. It has the responsibility for the comprehensive regulation of transportation safety and marine regulations governing shipment of explosives and other hazardous materials.

DETONATING CORD A flexible cord containing a center core of high explosive which may be used to initiate other high explosives.

DETONATING CORD DOWNLINE The section of detonating cord that extends within the blasthole from the ground surface down to the explosive charge.

DETONATING CORD MS CONNECTORS Nonelectric short-interval (millisecond) delay devices for use in delaying blasts which are initiated by detonating cord.

DETONATING CORD TRUNKLINE The line of detonating cord that is used to connect and initiate other lines of detonating cord.

DETONATION An explosive reaction that moves through an explosive material at a velocity greater than the speed of sound in the material.

DETONATION PRESSURE The pressure produced in the reaction zone of a detonating explosive.

DETONATION VELOCITY The velocity at which a detonation progresses through an explosive.

DETONATOR Any device containing an initiating or primary explosive that is used for initiating detonation in another explosive material. A detonator may not contain more than 10 grams of total explosives by weight, excluding ignition or delay charges. The term includes, but is not limited to, electric blasting caps of instantaneous and delay types, electronic detonators, blasting caps for use with safety fuses, detonating cord delay connectors, and nonelectric instantaneous and delay blasting caps which use detonating cord, shock tube, or any other replacement for electric leg wires. Unless specifically classified otherwise, detonators are classified 1.1 (Class A explosives). Also see DETONATORS 1.4 (CLASS C EXPLOSIVES).

DETONATORS 1.4 (CLASS C EXPLOSIVE) Initiating devices which will not mass explode when packaged for shipment. See MASS EXPLODE.

DIAMETER The cross-sectional width of a borehole or an explosive cartridge.

DILUTION Waste rock quarried along with or intermixed with ore.

DIPATCH Dispatcher A person within a company that schedules and controls transportation of materials.

DITCH BLASTING The formation of a ditch by the detonation of a series of explosive charges.

DITCHING DYNAMITE A nitroglycerin type explosive especially designed to propagate sympathetically from hole to hole in ditch blasting.

DONOR An exploding charge producing an impulse that impinges upon an explosive "acceptor" charge.

DOODLEBUG (slang) A person who prospects for oil, especially by using seismology. Also called doodlebugger, V. (slang) to explore for oil, especially by using seismic techniques in which explosive charges are detonated in shot holes to create shock waves (name taken from the resemblance of these explosions to the puff of loose dirt thrown up by the doodlebug, or ant lion, when digging its funnel-shaped hole).

DOPE Individual, dry, nonexplosive ingredients that comprise a portion of an explosive formulation.

DO'S AND DONT'S Former name of a list of precautions (IME Safety Library Publication No. 4) printed by the Institute of Makers of Explosives pertaining to the transportation, storage, handling and use of explosive materials and included in cases of explosive materials. Also known as the "ALWAYS AND NEVERS."

DOT See DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

DOUBLE SIDEBAND A type of radio transmission characterized by a modulated carrier signal whose upper sideband is the sum of the carrier and the modulating signal and the lower sideband is the difference between the carrier and the modulating frequency.

DOWNHOLE TRACTOR An electric or electro-hydraulic system used to deploy tools, equipment and perforating guns in horizontal or highly deviated wells.

DOWNLINE A line of detonating cord or plastic tubing in a blasthole which transmits the detonation from the trunkline or surface delay system down the hole to the primer.

DRILL HOLE A hole drilled in the material to be blasted for the purpose of containing an explosive charge, also called BLASTHOLE or BOREHOLE.

DRILLING PATTERN The location of blastholes in relationship to each other and the free face.

DROP BAR INITIATION An initiation system for tubing conveyed perforating systems utilizing a gravity drop bar to initiate a percussion detonator.

DRY RUNNING Operating a pump with little or no material present inside the pump. Typically from a blocked or restricted inlet or a lack of product flow to the pump.

DUMMY A cylindrical unit of clay, sand, or other inert material used to confine or separate explosive charges in a borehole.

DYNAMITE A high explosive used for blasting, consisting essentially of a mixture of, but not limited to nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, or similar liquid sensitive, nitrocellulose, ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and carbonaceous materials.

ELASTOMER A material such as synthetic rubber or plastic, which at room temperature can be stretched under low stress to at least twice its original length and, upon immediate release of the stress, will return with force to its approximate original length.

ELECTRIC ARMING The attachment of an electro-explosive device to a source of electric power prior to energizing the circuit.

E

ELECTRIC BLASTING CIRCUIT An electric circuit containing electric detonators and associated wiring. Also see PARALLEL-SERIES BLASTING CIRCUIT and SERIES-IN-PARALLEL BLASTING CIRCUIT.

ELECTRIC DETONATOR A detonator designed for, and capable of, initiation by means of an electric current.

ELECTRICAL STORM An atmospheric disturbance characterized by intense electrical activity producing lightning strikes and strong electric and magnetic fields. Synonymous with THUNDERSTORM and LIGHTNING STORM.

ELECTRONICALLY (ARM) BEFORE BALLISTICALLY ARMED (EBBA) The attachment of an electro-explosive device to a source of electrical power, or electronic detonator prior to the ballistic alignment of all the elements of an explosive train.

ELECTRONIC DETONATOR A detonator that utilizes stored electrical energy as a means of powering an electronic timing delay element module and that provides initiation energy for firing the detonator.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE CARD Instructions carried on a vehicle transporting explosive materials and giving specific procedures in case of emergency.

EMERGENCY VALVE (DOT VALVE) A valve designed specifically for DOT specifications MC 306, MC 307, DOT 406, DOT 407 and DOT 412 cargo tanks and specification 56 and 57 metal portable tanks. (49 CFR Part 178.342-5, October 1, 1990)

EMULSION An explosive material containing substantial amounts of oxidizer dissolved in water droplets, surrounded by an immiscible fuel, or droplets of an immiscible fuel surrounded by oxidizer and water, with stabilizers.

ENERGY A measure of the potential for an explosive to do work.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY SYSTEMS Those systems that are considered critical to maintaining a safe working environment, and for the safe completion of employee work, equipment, and property.

EXPANDABLE BAR CARRIER PERFORATING SYSTEM A perforating system that incorporates expandable shaped charge capsules with a retrievable steel transport bar.

EXPENDABLE GUN A perforating gun that consists of a metal strip on which are mounted shaped charges in special capsules. After firing, nothing remains of the fire but debris. See gun-perforating.

EXPENDABLE-RETRIEVABLE GUN A perforating gun that consists of a hollow, cylindrical tube into which are place shaped charges. After firing, debris created by the exploded charge falls into the carrier and is retrieved when the gun is pulled out of the hole; however, the gun cannot be reused. See gun-perforating.

EXPLODE To react chemically in a rapid manner to produce heat and pressure. The term encompasses both deflagration and detonation.

EXPLODING BRIDGEWIRE DETONATOR (EBW) A detonator bearing a close resemblance to standard electric detonators but containing no primary explosives. They require high electric current delivered in a very short period that explodes the bridgewire. The resulting shock or pressure wave initiates a low-density secondary explosive.

EXPLODING FOIL INITIATOR A detonator utilizing a metallic foil, which when vaporized by a high voltage pulse, drives a flyer plate into a secondary explosive pellet, initiating the explosive. It contains no primary explosive.

EXPLOSION A chemical reaction involving an extremely rapid expansion of gases usually associated with the liberation of heat.

EXPLOSIVE Any chemical compound, mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion.

EXPLOSIVE-ACTUATED DEVICE Any tool or special mechanized device which is actuated by explosives. The term does not include propellant-actuated devices. (Also see PROPELLANT-ACTUATED POWER DEVICE.) Examples of explosive-actuated devices are jet-tappers and jet perforators.

EXPLOSIVE CHARGE The quantity of explosive material used in a blasthole, coyote tunnel, or explosive device.

EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING The use of explosives to fracture a geologic formation. At the moment of detonation, the explosion furnishes a source of high-pressure, making the use of propellant unnecessary.

EXPLOSIVE LOADING FACTOR The amount of explosive used per unit of rock. Also called POWDER FACTOR.

EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS These include explosives, blasting agents and detonators. The term includes, but is not limited to, dynamite and other high explosives; slurries, emulsions, and water gels; black powder and pellet powder; initiating explosives; detonators (blasting caps); safety fuse, squibs; detonating cord; igniter cord; and igniters.

A list of explosive materials determined to be within the coverage of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40, Importation, Manufacture, Distribution and Storage of Explosive Materials, is issued at least annually by the director of the ATF of the Department of Justice.

The U.S. Department of Transportation classifications of explosive materials used in commercial blasting operations are not identical with the statutory definitions of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, Title 18 U.S.C., Section 841. To achieve uniformity in transportation the definitions of the U.S. Department of Transportation in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations parts 173-199 apply.

• DIVISION 1.1- Mass exploding (Class A explosives)
• DIVISION 1.2- Projection hazard (Class A or Class B explosives)
• DIVISION 1.3- Fire hazard, minor blast (Class B explosives) or projection hazard DIVISION 1.4- Minor explosion (Class C explosives) hazard - not mass exploding
• DIVISION 1.5- Insensitive explosives. (Blasting Agents) Very little probability of initiation or transition from burning to detonation during transport.

EXPLOSIVE OILS Liquid explosive sensitizers for explosive materials. Examples include nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate, and metriol trinitrate.

EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH The amount of energy released by an explosive upon detonation which is an indication of the capacity of the explosive to do work. (See also ENERGY.)

EXPLOSIVE WASTE A waste material as defined in 40 CFR 261.2, which has the characteristics of reactivity as defined in 40 CFR 261.23(a)(8)(7) or (8).

EXTRA (AMMONIA) DYNAMITE A dynamite in which part of the nitroglycerin is replaced by ammonium nitrate in sufficient quantity to result in the same weight strength.

EXTRANEOUS ELECTRICITY Electrical energy, other than actual firing current or the test current from a blasting galvanometer, that is present at a blast site and that could enter an electric blasting circuit. Sources include stray current, static electricity, RF (electromagnetic) waves and time-varying electric and magnetic fields.

FAST INITIATION Detonator sequenced detonation.

F

FACE A physical structure, barrier, or intrusion detection system including electronic detection systems, motion detectors, cameras, thermal imaging systems or other systems or methods used to discourage or identify entry also an area, radius otherwise described by law.

FENCE A physical structure, barrier, or intrusion detection system including electronic detection systems, motion detectors, cameras, thermal imaging systems or other systems or methods used to discourage or identify entry also an area, radius otherwise described by law.

FERTILIZER GRADE AMMONIUM NITRATE A grade of ammonium nitrate as defined by The Fertilizer Institute.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER RATING A rating set forth in the National Fire Code which may be identified on an extinguisher by a number (5, 20, 70, etc.) indicating a relative effectiveness followed by a letter (A, B, C, etc.) indicating the class or classes of fires for which the extinguisher has been found to be effective.

FIRE-RESISTANT Constructions designed to provide reasonable protection against fire. (For exterior walls or magazines constructed of wood, this shall mean fire resistance equivalent provided by outer shell of not less than 2lb (0.9 kg)(0.07 in)[0.45 in]).

FIREWORKS Combustible or explosive compositions or manufactured articles designed and prepared for the purpose of producing audible or visible effects.

FIRING CURRENT An electric current of recommended magnitude and duration to sufficiently energize an electric detonator or a circuit of electric detonators.

FIRING DEVICE A device capable of discharging and transmitting a fire command to an electronic detonator circuit. Also, a device capable of detonating an electric or nonelectric detonator.

FIRING LINE The wire(s) connecting the electrical power source with the electric or electronic blasting circuit.

FIXED SERVICE "A service of radio communication between specified fixed points."

FIXED STATION A station in the fixed service.

FLAGS – DANGER FLAGS Flags, usually red, which may or may not be imprinted with a warning and used to caution personnel around explosives operations, or displayed on trucks transporting explosives.

FLAMMABILITY The ease with which an explosive material may be ignited by flame and heat.

FLARE A pyrotechnic device designed to produce a single source of intense light.

FLASH POINT The lowest temperature at which vapors from a volatile combustible substance ignite in air when exposed to flame, as determined in an apparatus specifically designed for such purpose.

FLASHOVER The sympathetic detonation between explosive charges or between loaded blastholes.

FLYROCK Rocks propelled from the blast area by the force of an explosion.

FORBIDDEN OR NOT ACCEPTABLE EXPLOSIVES Explosives, which are forbidden or not acceptable for transportation by common, contract, or private carriers, by rail freight, rail express, highway, air or water in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

FORMATION FRACTURING A less common means of Stimulation fracturing employes the use of explosives.

FRAGMENTATION The breakage of a solid mass into pieces by blasting.

FREE FACE A rock surface exposed to air or water which provides room for expansion upon fragmentation; sometimes called OPEN FACE.

FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM) A form of radio transmission where the information contained in the signal varies the frequency of the RF carrier.

FUEL A substance which may react with oxygen to produce combustion.

FUME CLASSIFICATION See IME FUME CLASSIFICATION.

FUMES The gaseous products of an explosion. For the purpose of determining the fume classifications of explosive materials, only poisonous or toxic gases are considered.

FUSE See SAFETY FUSE.

FUSE CAP A detonator which is initiated by a safety fuse; also referred to as an ordinary blasting cap. Synonymous with BLASTING CAP, also see DETONATOR.

FUSE CUTTER A mechanical device for cutting a safety fuse clean and at right angles to its long axis.

FUSE LIGHTER Pyrotechnic devices for the rapid and certain lighting of safety fuse.

GAGE (WIRE) A series of standard sizes such as the American Wire Gauge (AWG), used to specify the diameter of wire.

GALVANOMETER See BLASTING GALVANOMETER.

GAP SENSITIVITY The maximum length of gap across which detonation wave will travel and initiate a second or receptor cartridge. Both primer and receptor cartridge should be of the same composition, diameter, and weight. Usually refers to gap in air but other media may be used.

G

GASSING AGENT Chemicals used to introduce gas bubbles to impart sensitivity and reduce density of explosive compositions.

GELATIN DYNAMITE A type of lightly water-resistant dynamite characterized by its gelatinous or plastic consistency.

GEOLOGY A description of the types and arrangement of rock in an area; the description usually includes the dip and strike, the type and extent of pre-existing breaks in the rock, and the hardness and abrasiveness of the rock, as these affect blast design.

GO-DEVIL 1) A device that is inserted into a pipeline for the purpose of cleaning a line scraper. Also called a pig. 2) A device that is lowered into the borehole at a well for various purposes such as enclosing surveying instruments, detonation devices, and the like. To drop or pump a device down the borehole, usually through drill pipe or tubing.

GLIDE SLOPE Used as a portion of an aviation instrument landing system, (ILS), a Glide Slope station provides "up" and "down" steering data to aircraft on landing approach.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM A system of orbiting satellites and sometimes fixed base stations used as conjunction with a receiver to accurately locate the receiver in three space.

GRAINS In the avoirdupois system of weight measurement 7000 grains are equivalent to one standard, 16-ounce, pound (0.45 kg). A grain is 0.0648 grams in both the avoirdupois and the troy systems.

GROUND FAULT An electrical path between parts of the blasting circuit and earth.

GROUND VIBRATION Shaking the ground by elastic waves emanating from a blast; usually measured in inches per second of particle velocity.

GUN PERFORATING A procedure involving the use of explosive actuated perforating devices, or tools, which produce holes through the steel well casing and cement and into the formation so that fluids can flow from the formation or into the formation. Perforators may utilize propellant-driven ballistic penetrators or jets formed from explosive-shaped charges to produce paths of mass transport to and from the formation.

GVW Gross vehicle weight.

HANGFIRE The detonation of an explosive charge at some non-predictable time after its normally designed firing time.

HARDWOOD Red oak, white oak, hard maple, ash or hickory, free from loose knots, wind shakes, or similar defects.

HERTZ (Hz) Synonymous with "cycles per second."

HIGH EXPLOSIVES Explosives which are characterized by a very high rate of reaction, high pressure development, and the presence of a detonation wave in the explosive.

HIGHWALL A nearly vertical face at the edge of a bench, bluff, or ledge on a surface excavation.

H-I

HIGHWAY Highway means any road, street, or way, whether on public or private property, open to public travel. "Open to public travel" means that the road section is available, except during scheduled periods, extreme weather or emergency conditions, passable by four-wheel standard passenger cars, and open to the general public for use without access restrictions other than restrictions based on size, weight, or class of registration. Toll plazas of public toll roads are not considered restrictive gates.

HOLE DIAMETER The cross-sectional width of the borehole.

HOLLOW-CARRIER GUN A perforating gun containing a hollow, cylindrical metal tube into which are loaded shaped charges or steel projectiles ("bullets"). On detonation, debris caused by the exploding charges falls into the carrier to be retrieved with a wireline tool.

HORIZONTAL POLARIZATION A configuration where an electromagnetic wave has an electric field that is parallel a reference plane such as the Earth's surface.

HOT WORK Work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing or similar flame, or spark-producing operations.

HYDRAULIC/PRESSURE ACTUATED FIRING HEAD An initiation system utilizing hydrostatic or downhole pressure to initiate a tubing conveyed perforating gun or perforation string.

IGNITER CORD A small-diameter pyrotechnic cord that burns at a uniform rate with an external flame and used to ignite a series of safety fuses.

IME See INSTITUTE OF MAKERS OF EXPLOSIVES.

IME-22 CONTAINER A container (portable), or a compartment (permanently affixed to a vehicle), which is constructed in accordance with IME SLP-22 standards and is authorized by the Department of Transportation for the transport of certain types of detonators on the same vehicle with other explosives.

IME FUME CLASSIFICATION A classification indicating the amount of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide produced by an explosive or blasting agent. Explosives with positive oxygen balances are not contained or being acceptable in these classifications. (Only Fume Class 1, 2, or 3 explosives should be used as the main charge in underground operations.)

Calculations by the manufacturer are acceptable for determining IME fume Class.

IMESAFR The Institute of Makers of Explosives' Safety Analysis for Risk. A quantitative risk-based software program designed to determine the risk of various explosive-related activities, other than to blast site hazardous/initiation.

INCENDIVITY The property of an igniting agent (e.g., spark, flame, or hot solid) which indicates it is of sufficient intensity to ignite flammable material or explosive gases.

INHABITED BUILDING A building regularly occupied in whole or part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store, or other structure where people are accustomed to assemble, except any building or structure occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage or use of explosive materials.

INITIATION The start of deflagration or detonation in an explosive material.

INITIATOR A detonator, detonating cord or similar device used to start detonation or deflagration in an explosive material.

INNER PACKAGING A packaging for which an outer packaging is required for transport.

INSTANTANEOUS DETONATOR A detonator that has a firing time of essentially zero seconds as compared to delay detonators with firing times from several milliseconds to several seconds.

INSTITUTE OF MAKERS OF EXPLOSIVES (IME) A non-profit, safety-oriented trade association representing producers of commercial explosive materials in the U.S. and Canada and dedicated to safety in the manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, and use of explosive materials.

INSTITUTE OF MAKERS OF EXPLOSIVES NO. 8 TEST DETONATOR An IME No. 8 test detonator has 0.40 to 0.45 grams PETN base charge pressed to a specific gravity of 1.4 g/cc and primed with standard detonator priming, depending on manufacturer.

INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST SERVICE A service "whose transmissions are intended to be received directly by the general public in foreign countries."

INVENTORY A listing of all explosive materials stored in a magazine.

ISOTROPIC ANTENNA A hypothetical antenna characterized as a point source which radiates uniformly in all directions.

ISSUING AUTHORITY The governmental agency, office, or official vested with the authority to issue permits or licenses.

JET, SHAPED CHARGE A coherent stream of high velocity metallic particles formed from the explosively-driven collapse of a metallic shaped charge liner.

JET CHARGE See shaped charge.

JET CUTTER A procedure for severing rock in a well by detonating special shaped-charged explosives similar to those used in jet perforating. The explosive is lowered into the pipe to the desired depth and detonated. The force of the explosion makes indenting horizontal cuts around the pipe, and the severed portions of the pipe is retrieved.

JET CUTTER A tool that uses shaped charges to sever casing, tubing, or drill pipe stuck in the hole. See jet cutoff, computer chemical cutter.

JET PERFORATE To create holes through the casing with shaped charges of high explosives transported downhole as a perforating gun. The perforating gun(s) is (are) lowered into the hole to the desired depth. Once detonated, the charges emit short, penetrating jets of high-velocity gases that make holes in the casing and cement for some distance into the formation to allow the oil or gas to then flow into the well bore through these perforations. See bullet perforator, gun perforate.

J-K-L

JUNK SHOT An explosive charge detonated in the borehole to break up large pieces of debris ("junk") in order to facilitate the junk's removal from the hole.

KELLY BAR A hollow bar attached to the top of the drill column in rotary drilling; also called grief joint, kelly joint, kelly stem.

LAND STATION A station in the mobile service not intended to be used while in motion.

LEAD-IN-LINE The shock tube connecting the firing device with a nonelectric blast pattern.

LEADING (LEAD) LINES OR WIRES The wire(s) connecting the electrical power source with the circuit containing electric or electronic detonators. See FIRING LINE.

LEAKAGE RESISTANCE The resistance between the blasting circuit (including lead wires) and the ground.

LEGWIRES The two single wires or one duplex wire extending out from an electric detonator.

LIGHTNING STORM See ELECTRICAL STORM.

LINER, CASING A smaller diameter casing hung inside a larger diameter casing. A liner top is located below the surface.

LINER, SHAPED CHARGE A thin metallic conical or curvilinear part in a shaped charge perforator, which when collapsed from the detonating explosive charge, forms a high velocity metallic jet used to perforate the well casing, cement and form a tunnel in the reservoir rock enabling mass transport to and from the reservoir.

LINES OR WIRES The wire(s) connecting the electrical power source with the circuit containing electric or electronic detonators. See FIRING LINE.

LIQUID FUELS Fuels in a liquid state. They may be used with oxidizers to form explosive materials.

LOADED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE A mechanical device to which the explosive components have been inserted or attached, with the exception of the initiating device (see armer). Sometimes used interchangeably with charged explosives device.

LOADING Placing explosive material in a blasthole or against the material to be blasted.

LOADING DENSITY The weight of explosive loaded per unit length of borehole occupied by the explosive, expressed as pounds foot or kilograms/meter of borehole.

LOADING POLE A nonmetallic pole used to assist the placing and compacting explosive charges in boreholes.

LOCALIZER Used as a portion of an aviation instrument landing system, (ILS), an ILS Localizer station provides "left" and "right" steering data to aircraft on landing approach.

LORAN-C Loran-C is a radio-navigational aid providing medium position fixing capability. With the development of Global Positioning Systems, Loran-C in the U.S. was phased out on 8 of Feb 2010. U.S. participation in the Russian-American and Canadian Loran-C chains will temporarily continue supporting those international agreements.

LOW EXPLOSIVES Explosive which are characterized by deflagration or low rate of reaction and the development of low pressure. See DEFLAGRATION.

LUBRICATOR A device mounted on the wellhead used to introduce tool strings, chemicals, instruments, and perforating guns into a well under pressure.

MAGAZINE Any building, structure, or container, other than an explosives manufacturing building, approved for the storage of explosive materials.

MAGAZINE DISTANCE The minimum distance permitted between any two storage magazines which are expected to prevent propagation of an explosion from one magazine to another.

MAGAZINE KEEPER A person responsible for the inventory and safe storage of explosive materials, including the proper maintenance of explosive materials, storage magazines and areas.

MAGAZINE – SURFACE A specially designed and constructed structure for the storage of explosive materials on the surface of the ground.

MAGAZINE – UNDERGROUND A specially designed and constructed structure for the storage of explosive materials underground.

MAIN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE The explosive material that performs the major work of blasting.

MANUFACTURING CODES Code markings stamped on explosive materials packages, indicating among other information, the date of manufacture.

MANTRIP A trip on which personnel are transported to and from a work area.

MARITIME SERVICES Services intended for maritime radio communication and including fixed stations, land stations, and mobile stations on land and on-board ships.

MASS DETONATE See MASS EXPLODE.

MASS DETONATION When a unit or any part of a quantity of explosive material detonates and causes all or a substantial part of the remaining material to detonate.

MASS EXPLODE (MASS EXPLOSION) An explosion which affects almost the entire load or quantity of explosives virtually instantaneously.

MASTER An individual, other than a pilot or a watchman, having charge of a ship.

MATRIX A suspending agent used for emulsion or oxidizer continuous (inverted) emulsion or an explosive (ANFO) to form a BLEND, usually to increase water resistance, density, or explosive properties. A MATRIX may, depending upon composition, be an EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL or an OXIDIZER.

MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED FIRING CURRENT The highest electric current which will result in the safe and effective performance of an electric detonator.

METALLIC SLITTER A device containing a sharp-edge, such as a safety razor blade, used for slitting open fiberboard boxes.

MILLISECOND One thousandth part of a second (0.001 or 1/1000 sec.)

MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (MSHA) An agency of the Department of Labor concerned with promulgation and enforcement of health and safety regulations in the mining industry.

MINIATURIZED DETONATING CORD Detonating cord with a coreload of 5 grains or less of explosives per foot (10 grams or less per meter).

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED FIRING CURRENT The lowest recommended electric current to assure reliable performance of an electric detonator.

MINIMUM GAP SENSITIVITY An air gap, measured in inches or centimeters, which determines whether the explosive material is within specific tolerances for gap sensitivity. Also see GAP SENSITIVITY.

MISFIRE A blast or specific borehole that failed to detonate as planned. Also, the explosive materials that failed to detonate as planned.

MOBILE SERVICE "A service of radio communication between mobile and land stations, or between mobile stations."

MOBILE STATION "A station in the mobile service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points."

MOTOR VEHICLE A vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power. Does not include vehicles operated exclusively on rail.

MS CONNECTORS Nonelectric, short-interval (millisecond) delay devices for use in delaying blasts which are initiated by detonating cord. Same as DETONATING CORD MS CONNECTORS.

MSHA See MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION.

MSHA APPROVAL A document issued by MSHA which states that an explosive or explosive unit or a blasting galvanometer or blasting machine has met MSHA requirements for use in underground coal or other explosive dusty or gassy mines and which authorizes an approval marking identifying the explosive or explosive unit or blasting galvanometer or blasting machine as approved.

MUCKPILE The pile of broken material resulting from a blast.

MUDCAPPING (MUDCAP) See ADOBE CHARGE. Synonymous with BULLDOZE, MUDCAP AND PLASTER.

MULTIPLE PATH TRUNKLINE SYSTEM Duplication or repetition of trunkline elements in a blast initiation system to provide alternate paths of initiation.

MUNROE EFFECT The concentration of explosive action through the use of a shaped charge.

M-N-O

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) An independent, non-profit association organized to promote the science and improve the methods of fire protection and prevention, electrical safety and other related safety goals.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) STANDARDS Standards for explosive materials and ammonium nitrate issued by the National Fire Protection Association.

NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL (NSC) A non-profit organization charged by Congress to provide a regular information service on the causes of accidents and ways to prevent them.

NATURAL BARRICADE Natural features of the ground such as hills, timber of sufficient density that the surrounding exposures which require protection cannot be seen from the magazine or bulk storage when trees are bare of leaves.

NFPA See NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION.

NITROGLYCERIN An explosive chemical compound used as a sensitizer in dynamite and represented by the formula C₃H₅(ONO₂)₃.

NO. 8 TEST CAP See INSTITUTE OF MAKERS OF EXPLOSIVES NO. 8 TEST DETONATOR.

NO-FIRE RATING The highest DC, ACRMS, or RF power level at which a detonator will not fire or "no-fire" with a probability of 0.999 at a confidence level of 95 percent as determined by test.

NO FLOW A pumping condition where no material is moving through the system.

NOLIGHT (NOLITE) Failure of fuse igniter to ignite safety fuse.

NONELECTRIC DETONATOR A detonator that does not require the use of electric energy to function.

NONFERROUS Metals and compounds not containing appreciable quantities of iron.

NONSPARKING METAL A metal that resists producing a spark when impacted with tools, rock, or hard surfaces.

NSC See NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) An agency of the Department of Labor active in eliminating occupational hazards and promoting employee health and safety.

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING (OSM) An agency of the Department of the Interior regulating surface coal mining and the surface effects of underground coal mining.

OPEN HOLE COMPLETION A well where casing is set and cemented just above the reservoir with the reservoir left uncased.

OVERBREAK See BACKBREAK.

OVERBURDEN Material of any nature lying on top of a deposit of material which is to be mined.

OXIDIZER OR OXIDIZING MATERIAL A substance, such as a nitrate, that readily yields oxygen or other oxidizing substances to promote the combustion of organic matter or other fuel.

OXYGEN BALANCE The percentage of oxygen in an explosive material or ingredient thereof in excess of (+) or less than (-) that which is needed to produce ideal reaction products.

PACKER A device used to seal a wellbore at that particular level. Packers may be drillable, removable or permanent.

PARALLEL BLASTING CIRCUIT An electric blasting circuit in which one leg wire of each detonator is connected to one of the wires from the source of firing current and the other leg wire from the firing current; this can be used in order to solve for certain installation system(s).

PARALLEL-SERIES BLASTING CIRCUIT See SERIES-IN-PARALLEL BLASTING CIRCUIT.

PARCEL BOARD A composition board made of small pieces of wood, bonded together.

PARTICLE VELOCITY A measure of the intensity of ground vibration, specifically the velocity of motion of the ground particles as they are excited by the wave energy.

PARTING A rock mass located between two seams of coal; a joint or crack in rock.

PASSENGER RAILWAY Any steam, electric, or other railroad or railway which carries passengers for hire.

PAST Previously achieved sequential transition.

PAVE PAWS An acronym for "Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry-Phased Array Warning System, a phased-array radar system operating between 420-450 MHz in pulsed mode with a power level per face of 577,000 watts. The purpose of the system is the detection of incoming sea-launched missiles and ICBMs.

PELLET POWDER Black powder pressed into cylindrical pellets 2 inches in length and 1-1/4 inches in diameter.

PERCUSSION DETONATOR A detonator designed to be initiated by mechanical impact.

PERFORATE To pierce the steel casing and cement liner of a wellbore to produce holes through which formation fluids may enter or to provide holes in the casing so that materials may be introduced into the member between the casing and the wall of the borehole. Perforating is accomplished by lowering a perforating gun into the well and firing it at the desired zone.

PERFORATING GUN Steel tubes or metallic strips into which are inserted shaped charges connected by detonating cord without means of initiation.

PERFORATOR See "Shaped Charge." The shaped charge that is loaded in a perforating gun.

PERMANENT MAGAZINES Magazines that are permanently fastened to a foundation or unembedded by removing tires. May be left unattended.

PERMISSIBLE DIAMETER (SMALLEST) The smallest allowable diameter of a particular permissible explosive, as approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

PERMISSIBLE EXPLOSIVES (MSHA) APPROVED EXPLOSIVES Explosives that are approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration for use in gassy and dusty atmospheres. Permissible explosives must be used and stored in accordance with certain conditions specified by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

PERSON Any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company.

PETN An abbreviation for the name of the explosive pentaerythritoltetranitrate.

PIG (PIGGING, PIGGED) A plug, molded to different configurations, densities, and sizes so that it can be inserted into and pushed hydraulically or pneumatically (pigged) through a pipeline or hose. The passage of the pig through the pipeline removes caked material from the interior walls of the pipeline or hose.

PLACARDS Signs placed on vehicles transporting hazardous materials (including explosive materials) indicating the nature of the cargo.

PLACARD See ADOBE CHARGE. Synonymous with BULLDOZE and MUDCAPPING.

PLUG BACK Plugging and abandonment of a zone and completion of a zone higher up in the wellbore.

PLUGGING AND ABANDONMENT ("P&A") An operation where plugs are set and surface equipment removed in preparations to abandon a well.

PLYWOOD Exterior construction-grade plywood.

PNEUMATIC LOADING The loading of explosive materials into a borehole using compressed air as the loading or conveying force.

PORTABLE MAGAZINES Magazines that are not permanently fastened to a foundation or unembedded by removing tires. May be left unattended.

POWDER A common synonym for explosive materials.

POWDER FACTOR The amount of explosive used per unit of rock. Also called EXPLOSIVE LOADING FACTOR.

POWER SAFE DEVICE A device installed on a wireline test string between the wireline and the detonator, which permits downhole arming of the detonator.

POWER SOURCE The source of power for energizing electric or electronic blasting circuits; e.g., a blasting machine, blast controller, or power line.

PREBLAST SURVEY A documentation of the existing condition of structures near an area where blasting is to be conducted.

PRECURSOR CHEMICALS Two or more unirritized, commercially manufactured, prepackaged chemical ingredients (including oxidizers, flammable liquids or solids, or similar ingredients) which are not classified as explosives but which, when mixed or combined, form an explosive.

PREMATURE FIRING The detonation of an explosive charge before the intended time.

PRESPLITTING (PRESHEARING) A smooth blasting method in which cracks for the final contour are created by firing a single row of holes prior to the initiation of the rest of the holes in the blast pattern.

PRILLED AMMONIUM NITRATE Ammonium nitrate in a pelleted or prilled form.

PRIMARY BLAST A blast used to fragment and displace material from its original position to facilitate subsequent handling and crushing.

PRIMARY EXPLOSIVE A sensitive explosive which nearly always detonates by simple ignition from such means as spark, flame, impact, friction, or other primary heat sources of appropriate nature.

PRIMARY HIGH EXPLOSIVE A very sensitive explosive compound used as the first material in an explosive train that is initiated by the appropriate application of flame, friction, heat, impact, or spark.

PRIMER A unit, package or cartridge of explosives used to initiate other explosives or blasting agents, and which contains: (1) a detonator; or (2) detonating cord to which is attached a detonator designed to initiate the detonating cord.

PROGRAMMER OR PROGRAMMING UNIT A device for entering digital information into an electronic detonator or electronic detonator system.

PROPAGATION The detonation of an explosive charge by an impulse received from an adjacent or nearby explosive charge.

PROPELLANT EXPLOSIVE An explosive material that normally functions by deflagration and is used for propulsion purposes. It may be Division 1.1; 1.2; or 1.3 material, depending upon its susceptibility to detonation.

PROPELLANT ACTUATED POWER DEVICE Any tool or special mechanized device or gas system which is actuated by a propellant or which releases and directs work through a propellant charge.

PUBLIC CONVEYANCE Any railroad car, streetcar, ferry, cab, bus, aircraft, or other vehicle which is carrying passengers for hire.

PYROTECHNICS Any combustible or explosive compositions or manufactured articles designed and prepared for the purpose of producing audible or visible effects. Also see FIREWORKS.

QUALIFIED A term describing a person who, by knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to perform a particular task.

QUANTITY/DISTANCE TABLE A table listing recommended distances from explosive materials stores of various weights to receptors or vehicles in a specific location.

RACON A radar transponder beacon that is commonly used to mark maritime navigational hazards. They may be operated by the U.S. Coast Guard or the owners of offshore oil platforms. Most operate on the X band and S band marine radar bands.

P-Q-R

RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY (RF) The energy radiated as electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency spectrum.

RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMITTER An electronic transmitting device which radiates radio frequency waves. The transmitting device may be fixed (stationary) or mobile, and includes AM, FM, and TV radio transmitters, television transmitters and radar transmitters.

RADIO REMOTE FIRING DEVICE A radio controlled blast firing system. Radio Remote Firing Devices can safely initiate nonelectric shockline, electric, or electronic detonators by initiating a controller device, one or more firing devices or shock tube starters, and a digitally encoded radio signal to prevent accidental initiation.

RAILWAY Any steam, electric or other railroad or railway.

RECEPTOR (ACCEPTOR) A charge of explosive materials receiving an impulse from an exploding donor charge.

REGULATIONS – FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL Regulations promulgated by federal, state or local regulatory agencies governing the manufacture, transportation, storage, sale, possession, handling and use of explosive materials.

RELIEF The effective distance from a blasthole to the nearest free face. (Synonymous with BURDEN.)

RELIGHT (RELITE) A nonrecommended practice of attempting to light safety fuse when it apparently did not ignite on a previous attempt.

REPUMPABLE The property of a product that permits it to be transferred several times through pumping operations without degradation of the product. Such pumping operations include bore hole pumping, bulk mixing equipment, and borehole.

RESISTANCE The measure of opposition to the flow of electrical current, expressed in ohms.

ROTATIONAL FIRING A delay blasting system used so that the detonating explosives will successively displace the burden into the void created by previously detonated explosives in echelon order.

ROUND A group of boreholes fired or intended to be fired in a continuous sequence with the application of initiating energy.

SAFETY FUSE A flexible cord containing solid flammable material by which fire or flame is conveyed at a continuous and uniform rate from the point of ignition to a cut end. A fuse detonator is usually attached to that end, although safety fuse may be used without a detonator to ignite material such as deflagrating explosives.

SAFETY STANDARD Suggested precautions relative to the safety practices to be employed in the manufacture, transportation, storage, handling and use of explosive materials.

SAFETY SEAT Used in a tubing conveyed perforating gun string, the safety so that the very top portion that does not detonate shaped charges perforator. The purpose is to place the perforation-loaded position below the rig floor when the firing head is initiated to increase or mitigate rig crew safety. See "Tubing conveyed perforating".

SCALED DISTANCE A factor relating similar blast effects from various weight charges of explosive material at various distances. Scaled distances referring to blasting effects are obtained by dividing the distance of concern by a fractional power of the weight of the explosive(s).

SEAM A stratum or bed of coal or other material. May also refer to a crack or joint in a blast area which may be filled with mud or other material. A seam may be in any orientation.

SECONDARY BLASTING Blasting to reduce the size of boulders resulting from a primary blast.

SECONDARY HIGH EXPLOSIVE A high explosive that is less sensitive than a primary explosive to heat and shock. Also referred to as secondary high explosive.

SEISMIC WAVE A dynamic pressure or compressive energy pulse generated by an explosion.

SEISMOGRAPH An instrument, useful in monitoring blasting operations, which records ground vibration. Particle velocity, displacement, or acceleration is generally measured and recorded in three orthogonal directions.

SELECT FIRE PERFORATING GUN SYSTEM A perforating system that allows sequential firing of one or more perforating guns in a gun string in varying locations within a production zone or zones in a single trip.

SEMI-CONDUCTIVE HOSE A hose, used for pneumatic conveying of explosives, having an electrical resistance high enough to limit flow of stray electric currents to safe levels yet not so high as to prevent drainage of static electric charges to ground. Hose of not more than 2 megohms resistance over its entire length and of not less than 1,000 ohms per foot (3,250 ohms per meter) meets the requirement.

SENSITIZATION DYNAMITE An explosive that is a cross between ammonium dynamite and ammonium gelatin.

SENSITIVENESS A measure of an explosive's cartridge-to-cartridge propagating ability under certain test conditions. It is expressed as the distance through or at which a primed half-cartridge (donor) will detonate an unprimed half-cartridge (receptor). Also see GAP SENSITIVITY.

SENSITIVITY A physical characteristic of an explosive material classifying its ability to be initiated upon receiving an external impulse such as impact, shock, friction or other influence.

SEPARATION DISTANCES Maximum recommended distances from explosive materials accumulations to other specified locations.

SEQUENTIAL BLASTING MACHINE A blasting machine designed to actuate separate series of detonators at accurately timed intervals. Also called SEQUENTIAL TIMER.

SEQUENTIAL TIMER See SEQUENTIAL BLASTING MACHINE.

SERIES BLASTING CIRCUIT An electric blasting circuit that provides one continuous path for the current through all caps in the circuit.

SERIES-IN-PARALLEL BLASTING CIRCUIT A circuit in which electric detonators are divided into two or more balanced groups being connected together in series and the groups being connected together in parallel.

SETTING TOOL A downhole tool that uses energy released from a gas-generating cartridge to set various devices, such as plugs and packers, in well casing.

SHAPED CHARGE An explosive with a shaped cavity specifically designed to produce a high velocity cutting or piercing jet of product reaction, usually lined with metal to create a jet of metallic material. Also see MUNROE EFFECT.

SHEATHED CHARGE (MSHA APPROVED SHEATHED EXPLOSIVE UNIT) A device consisting of an approved or permissible explosive covered by a sheath encased in a sealed casing and designed to be fired outside the confines of a borehole.

SHELF LIFE The maximum storage period during which an explosive material retains adequate performance or physical characteristics.

SHOCK TUBE A small diameter plastic tube used for initiating detonators. It contains only a limited amount of reactive material so that the energy that is transmitted through the tube by means of a detonation wave propelled along the inside surface of the tube.

SHOCK TUBE STARTER A device used to initiate shock tube.

SHOCK WAVE A transient pressure pulse that propagates at supersonic velocity.

SHORAN Used for short-range navigation; shoran consists of a pulse transmitter and receiver with two transponder beacons at fixed locations.

SHORT DELAY BLASTING The practice of detonating blastholes in successive intervals where the time difference between any two successive detonations is measured in milliseconds.

SHOT ANCHOR A device that anchors explosive material charges in the borehole so that the charges will not be blown out by the detonation of other charges or, in seismic work, cannot be displaced after borehole has been stemmed.

SHOT BLASTING The use of steel shot (ball bearings) in the drilling rig to hit the bottom of the hole as the shot leaves the bit jet with the mud.

SHOT BREAK A space consisting of an undrilled or drilled area which may include loaded or unloaded blast holes to separate two individual blasts located on the same bench.

SHOT FIRER See BLASTER. (A shot firer usually refers to an underground coal mine blaster).

SHUNT (noun) A connection between two wires of an electric detonator which prevents building up of opposing electrical potential in them.

SHUNT (verb) The means (or action) whereby build-up of extraneous electrical energy is prevented, diverted, current limited, or redirected in a detonator assembly to minimize the probability of accidental detonation.

SIGNS – EXPLOSIVE (PLACARDS) Signs, called placards, placed on vehicles transporting explosives denoting the character of the cargo, or signs placed near storage areas as a warning to travelers.

SILVER CHLORIDE CELL A special battery of relatively low current output used in some blasting galvanometers.

SINGLE SIDEBAND TRANSMISSION An amplitude modulated transmission where only one sideband of the central carrier frequency contains the information to be transmitted; generally used due to its ability to efficiently use the power of the transmitted signal.

SINGLE POINT SAFETY SWITCH A single keylock safety switch with a properly secured single key, which isolates all power from the wireline prior to the attachment of an explosive to wireline.

SLICKLINE A small diameter non-electric cable used to run valves, tools, and flow equipment into the wellbore.

SLURRY An explosive material containing substantial amounts of liquid, oxidizers and fuel, plus a thickener.

SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION Any cartridge for a shotgun, rifle, pistol, revolver, and cartridges for propellant-actuated power devices and industrial guns. Military-type containing explosive bursting charges or any secondary, tracer, spotter, or spotting, or pyrotechnic projectile is excluded from this definition.

... all percussion-sensitive explosive charges used in a cap or capsule and used to ignite propellant powder.

SMOKE The airborne suspension of solid particles from the products of detonation or deflagration.

SMOKELESS PROPELLANT (SMOKELESS POWDER) Solid propellant, commonly called smokeless powder in the trade, used in small arms ammunition, cannons, rockets, propellant-actuated power devices, etc.

SMOOTH BLASTING See CONTOUR BLASTING.

SNAKEHOLE A borehole drilled in a slightly downward direction from the horizontal into the floor elevation of a quarry face. Also, a hole driven under a boulder.

SNUBBING A well operation where the drill string, tools or perforating guns are run into the well under well pressure without killing the well.

SOCKET See BOOTLEG.

SOFTWOOD Douglas fir or other wood of equal bullet resistance and free from loose knots, wind shakes or similar defects.

SPACING The distance between boreholes. In bench blasting, the distance is measured parallel to the free face and perpendicular to the burden.

SPAWN (VERB) An unplanned actuation of the ignition element.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY The ratio of the weight of any volume of substance to the weight of an equal volume of pure water.

S

SPREAD SPECTRUM A specified type of radio which intentionally spreads its transmissions across a specified band of frequencies so as to reduce interference with and from transmitters operating at the same range of frequency.

SPRINGLINE The practice of enlarging the bottom of a blasthole by firing a relatively small charge of explosive material. Typically used in order that a larger charge of explosive material can be subsequently loaded in the same borehole.

SQUIB A firing device that burns with an external flash. Used for igniting black powder or pellet powder.

STABILITY The ability of an explosive material to retain chemical and physical properties specified by the manufacturer when exposed to specific environmental conditions over a particular period of time.

STANDARD FREQUENCY TERMS AND BANDS

• 1 Megahertz, MHz = 1,000,000 cycles per second
• 1 Gigahertz, GHz = 1,000,000,000 cycles per second Medium Frequency Band – MF 0.3-3 MHz
• High Frequency Band – HF 3-30 MHz
• Very High Frequency Band – VHF 30-300 MHz
• Ultra High Frequency Band – UHF 300-3000 MHz

STANDOFF, CASING 1) The distance separating a sonic from the wall of the borehole. 2) A device for producing the separation in (1). Compare centralizer.

STANDOFF, SHAPED CHARGE 1) The unobstructed distance between the shaped charge perforator and the interior wall of the perforating gun to permit lance collapse, jet formation and jet stretching before impact with the perforating gun wall. 2) The fluid-filled distance between the perforating gun and the well casing interior wall through which the perforating jets or bullets must travel before perforating the casing.

STATIC ELECTRICITY Electric charge at rest on a person or object. It is most often produced by the contact and separation of dissimilar insulating materials.

STATIC STATE VELOCITY The characteristic velocity at which a specific explosive at a given charge diameter will detonate.

STEEL General purpose (hot or cold rolled) low-carbon steel such as specifications ASTM A366 or equivalent.

STEMMING Inert material placed in a borehole on top of or between separate charges of explosive material. Used for the purpose of confining explosive materials or to separate charges of explosive material in the same borehole.

STRAIGHT GELATIN An explosive which contains nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, and sodium nitrate, but no ammonium nitrate.

S-T (continued)

STRAY CURRENT A flow of electricity outside an uninsulated conductor system.

STRING SHOT An explosive method utilizing detonating cord to create an explosive jar inside stuck drill pipe or tubing so that the pipe may be backed off at the joint immediately above where it is stuck.

STRING-SHOT, BACK-OFF See "String shot"

SUB A short length of pipe run on the drill string between or below the drill collars, or a threaded adapter affixed to the top and bottom of tools or perforating guns.

SUBDRILLING The practice of drilling boreholes below floor level or working elevation to ensure breakage of rock to working elevation.

SUBSONIC Less than the speed of sound in air at the elevation in question.

SUPERSONIC Greater than the speed of sound in air at the elevation inspection.

SYMPATHETIC DETONATION The detonation of an explosive material as the result of receiving an impulse from another detonation through air, earth or water. Synonymous with SYMPATHETIC PROPAGATION. (See also FLASHOVER.)

SYMPATHETIC PROPAGATION See SYMPATHETIC DETONATION.

SYNERESIS The spontaneous separation of a liquid from a gel or colloidal suspension due to contraction of the gel.

TABLE OF RECOMMENDED SEPARATION DISTANCES OF AMMONIUM NITRATE AND BLASTING AGENTS FROM EXPLOSIVES OR BLASTING AGENTS A quantity distance table designed to prevent propagation of detonation or ignition from stored ammonium nitrate-based blasting agents by propagation from nearby stores of high explosives or blasting agents. It is based on a "donor-receptor" relationship developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

TACHOGRAPH A recording device in a truck that indicates on a time basis the running and stopping times of a vehicle.

TAMPING The action of compacting the explosive charge or the stemming in a blasthole. Sometimes refers to the stemming material itself.

TAMPING BAGS Cylindrical bags containing stemming material and used in boreholes to confine the explosive material charge.

TAMPING POLE A wooden or plastic pole used to compact explosive charges or stemming. (See also LOADING POLE).

TEMPORARY STORAGE Storage of explosives for less than 24 hours.

THEFT-RESISTANT Construction designed to deter illegal entry into facilities used for the storage of explosive materials.

THUNDERSTORM See ELECTRICAL STORM.

TOE In bench blasting, excessive burden measured at the floor level of the bench.

TRANSMITTER An electronic device used to generate an RF carrier signal, add the information to the carrier and deliver the energy to an antenna system for transmission.

TRUNKLINE See DETONATING CORD TRUNKLINE. (Certain shock tube or gas-initiated nonelectric initiating systems also use the term TRUNKLINE.)

T-U

TUBING CONVEYED PERFORATING The conveyance of the perforating assembly by tubing and initiated by pressure or impact. 1) Pressure activation is accomplished by applying pressure to the tubing after the perforating assembly is placed across the zone of interest. 2) Impact activation is accomplished by dropping a bar which impacts the firing head on top of the perforating assembly after the perforating assembly is placed across the zone of interest.

TWO-COMPONENT EXPLOSIVE See BINARY EXPLOSIVE.

UL See UNDERWRITERS LABORATORY INC.

UN RECOMMENDATIONS The most current version of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, ST/SG/AC.10/1.

UNBARRICADED The absence of a natural or artificial barricade around explosive storage areas or facilities.

UNCONFINED DETONATION VELOCITY The detonation velocity of an explosive material fired without confinement; for example, a charge fired in the open. (Paper tubes are generally considered to be unconfined.)

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORY, INC. (UL) A nationally recognized independent testing laboratory qualified and equipped to conduct the necessary tests to determine compliance with appropriate standards and the satisfactory performance of materials or equipment in actual usage.

USBM See U.S. BUREAU OF MINES.

U.S. BUREAU OF MINES (USBM) A former bureau of the Department of Interior active in promoting safety in coal mines and in carrying out broad programs in mining and related fields.

V

VERTICAL POLARIZATION A configuration where an electromagnetic wave has an electric field that is perpendicular to a reference plane such as the Earth's surface.

VISCOSITY The resistance of liquids and semisolids to movement or flow. Viscosity is usually measured in centipoise (cP). A material having a high viscosity rating will flow more than a material with a low viscosity. The method of measurement must be specified.

VOLTAGE The difference in electrical potential required to cause a current of one ampere flow through a resistance of one ohm.

VOLUME STRENGTH Synonymous with CARTRIDGE STRENGTH. See BULK STRENGTH.

W

WARNING SIGNAL A visual or audible signal which is used for warning personnel in the vicinity of the blast area of the impending explosion.

WASTE ACID Residual or spent acid from a nitration process.

WATER GEL An explosive material containing substantial portions of water, oxidizers and fuel, plus a cross-linking agent.

WATER RESISTANCE The ability of an explosive to withstand the desensitizing effect of water penetration.

WATER STEMMING BAG(S) Water-filled plastic bags with a self-sealing valve which meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) as specified in 30 CFR Part 75. (See also TAMPING BAGS.)

WATT A unit of electrical power equal to one joule per second.

WEATHER-RESISTANT Construction designed to offer reasonable protection against weather.

WEIGHT STRENGTH The energy of an explosive material per unit of weight. Often expressed as a percentage of the energy per unit of weight of a specified explosive standard.

WIFI A type of wireless local area network (WLAN) system that enables a variety of devices such as personal computers, video game consoles, mobile phones, MP3 players, etc., to connect to the Internet. The FCC limits the equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) in U.S. WiFi for frequency hopping systems operating in the 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz band employing 75 hopping channels to one watt.

WIRING HARNESS A term denoting specifically configured wire assemblies for connecting electronic detonator and/or firing circuits.

WIRELINE-CONVEYED PERFORATING The conveyance of the perforating assembly by conductive line (e-line) or slickline. 1) Conductor line activation is accomplished by electrical initiation from a surface shooting panel. Current is sent down the conductor line after the perforating assembly is placed across the zone of interest to initiate the electric detonator. 2) Slickline activation is accomplished by a downhole electrical initiating device. The electrical initiating device is set by time, pressure and temperature parameters to initiate the electric detonator after the perforating assembly is placed across the zone of interest.

End of Glossary