BAM Test Site Technical Safety

12-m drop tower

The 12-m drop tower at the BAM TTS explosion test ground can be used for different purposes. It predominantly serves the execution of certain tests as they are determined in UN recommendations for the transportation of dangerous goods. Adherence to the UN recommendations is also stipulated as obligatory in the agreement on the transportation of dangerous goods on roads (ADR) for Germany.

If an explosive product is to be transported, then a so-called danger class must be assigned by a competent authority before the first movement. In Germany, BAM is the competent authority for civilian explosive products. The allocation takes place via tests on non-packed products.

If the tests indicate that the product is too hazardous for transportation, it may not be transported or it must be proved in another test on the packed product that it is safe in this form against a strong mechanical impact.

This strong mechanical impact is a drop from a height of up to 12 m onto a steel plate which rests on a concrete foundation. The steel plate is placed in a pit in order to protect the drop tower from a potential explosion of the test object.

Test procedure

Solid test objects are tested at a drop height of 12 m, liquid products at 5 m. The test object is lifted to the desired height by a crane which is fixed to the work platform at a height of about 15 m. To release the test object the crane hook is opened electrically. The crane and the release are controlled during the test from a distant shelter.

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