Explosive Substances of Chemical Industries

Areas of activity

Opening of a container with a metal alkyl in diethyl ether using a detonating cord (enlarged picture)

The workin g group tests, investigates, classifies and gives expert advice about substances and systems which are liable to exothermic decomposition at normal and elevated temperatures. The group gives experts opinions on the production, processing, transport, storage, use and - if necessary - on the waste management of these substances.
Further tasks result from BAM being a competent authority for:

• Test and assignment of explosive substances of chemical industries according to the German Explosives Act (Sprengstoffgesetz - SprengG), to the Second Ordinance to the German Explosives Act (2. Verordnung zum Sprengstoffgesetz - 2. SprengV) and to the German Storage Regulations for Explosives (Sprengstofflagerrichtlinien - SprengLR 011 and SprengLR 300),
• Test and assessment of substances of division 4.1 "Self reactive substances" according sub-section 33.2 of the "Recommendations on the TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS; Manual of Tests and Criteria"
• Test and assessment of substances of division 4.2 "Substances liable to spontaneous combustion" according sub-section 33.3 of the "Recommendations on the TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS; Manual of Tests and Criteria"
• Test and assessment of substances of division 4.3 "Substances wich in contact with water emit flammable gases" according sub-section 33.4 of the "Recommendations on the TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS; Manual of Tests and Criteria"
• Test and assessment of substances of division 5.1 "Oxidizing substances" according sub-section 34 of the "Recommendations on the TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS; Manual of Tests and Criteria"
• Classification and assignment of organic peroxides of division 5.2 and of self-reactive substances of division 4.1 according to the Regulations concerning the Carriage of Dangerous Goods including venting tests for portable tanks and IBC,
• Classification and assignment of explosive substances of chemical industries of class 1, of desensitized explosives of class 3 and division 4.1 according to the UN-Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Classification of ammonium nitrate, of formulations based on ammonium nitrate and of fertilizers according to the German Ordinance on Hazadous Substances (Gefahrstoffverordnung - GefStoffV), annex I, No. 5, and according to the Technical Regulation TRGS 511.

Additional activities are due to BAM being a Notified Body according to the German Accident Prevention Regulations "Organic Peroxides" (UVV 58, BGV B4) and "Formulations containing Esters of Nitric Acid for Pharmaceuticals" (UVV 59, BGV D35).

In the above mentioned areas of activity, expert advice is given to ministries, authorities, employer's liability insurance associations, institutions and industry. Research is done on related issues.

Test methods

Test methods, part I

• Test methods according to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, 4th revised edition 2003
• Test methods according to the German Explosive Act (method A.14 according to the Commissin Directive 92/69/EEC)
• Other test methods

Test methods, part II

• Regulation (EC) No 2003/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 October 2003 relating to fertilizers, Annex III
• Further test on inquire

Publications

• Official publications (legal acts):related to the Explosives Act
• Publications (selection)

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