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2015 MINNESOTA STATE FIRE CODE 479 APPENDIX E HAZARD CATEGORIES This appendix is for information purposes and is not intended for adoption. SECTION E101 GENERAL E101.1 Scope. This appendix provides information, explana- tions and examples to illustrate and clarify the hazard catego- ries contained in Chapter 50 of the International Fire Code. The hazard categories are based upon the DOL 29 CFR. Where numerical classifications are included, they are in accordance with nationally recognized standards. This appendix should not be used as the sole means of hazardous materials classification. SECTION E102 HAZARD CATEGORIES E102.1 Physical hazards. Materials classified in this section pose a physical hazard. E102.1.1 Explosives and blasting agents. The current UN/DOT classification system recognized by international authorities, the Department of Defense and others classi- fies all explosives as Class 1 materials. They are then divided into six separate divisions to indicate their relative hazard. There is not a direct correlation between the desig- nations used by the old DOT system and those used by the current system nor is there correlation with the system (high and low) established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Table 5604.3 of the International Fire Code provides some guidance with regard to the current categories and their relationship to the old categories. Some items may appear in more than one division, depending on factors such as the degree of confinement or separation, by type of packaging, storage configuration or state of assembly. In order to determine the level of hazard presented by explosive materials, testing to establish quantitatively their explosive nature is required. There are numerous test methods that have been used to establish the character of an explosive material. Standardized tests, required for fin- ished goods containing explosives or explosive materials in a packaged form suitable for shipment or storage, have been established by UN/DOT and BATF. However, these tests do not consider key elements that should be exam- ined in a manufacturing situation. In manufacturing opera- tions, the condition and/or the state of a material may vary within the process. The in-process material classification and classification requirements for materials used in the manufacturing process may be different from the classifi- cation of the same material when found in finished goods depending on the stage of the process in which the mate- rial is found. A classification methodology must be used that recognizes the hazards commensurate with the appli- cation to the variable physical conditions as well as poten- tial variations of physical character and type of explosive under consideration. Test methods or guidelines for hazard classification of energetic materials used for in-process operations shall be approved by the fire code official. Test methods used shall be DOD, BATF, UN/DOT or other approved criteria. The results of such testing shall become a portion of the files of the jurisdiction and be included as an independent section of any Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP) required by Section 5605.2.1 of the International Fire Code. Also see Section 104.7.2 of the International Fire Code. Examples of materials in various Divisions are as fol- lows: 1. Division 1.1 (High Explosives). Consists of explo- sives that have a mass explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one which affects almost the entire pile of material instantaneously. Includes substances that, when tested in accordance with approved meth- ods, can be caused to detonate by means of a blast- ing cap when unconfined or will transition from deflagration to a detonation when confined or unconfined. Examples: dynamite, TNT, nitroglycer- ine, C-3, HMX, RDX, encased explosives, military ammunition. 2. Division 1.2 (Low Explosives). Consists of explo- sives that have a projection hazard, but not a mass explosion hazard. Examples: nondetonating encased explosives, military ammunition and the like. 3. Division 1.3 (Low Explosives). Consists of explo- sives that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard. The major hazard is radi- ant heat or violent burning, or both. Can be defla- grated when confined. Examples: smokeless powder, propellant explosives, display fireworks. 4. Division 1.4. Consists of explosives that pose a minor explosion hazard. The explosive effects are largely confined to the package and no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is expected. An internal fire must not cause virtually instanta- neous explosion of almost the entire contents of the package. Examples: squibs (nondetonating igniters), explosive actuators, explosive trains (low-level deto- nating cord). 5. Division 1.5 (Blasting Agents). Consists of very insensitive explosives. This division is comprised of substances which have a mass explosion hazard, but Copyright © 2016 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by James Lee on Dec 14, 2016 8:21:27 AM pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.