Section 5607

by approved, competent operators familiar with the required safety precautions and the hazards involved and in accordance with this section and the provisions of NFPA 495.

shall be performed in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the explosive materials being used.

in a congested area or in close proximity to a structure, railway or highway, or any other installation, precautions shall be taken to minimize earth vibrations and air blast effects. Blasting mats or other protective means shall be used to prevent fragments from being thrown.

only be conducted during daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. Other blasting shall be performed during daylight hours unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.

conducted in the vicinity of utility lines or rights-of-way, the blaster shall notify the appropriate representatives of the utilities not less than 24 hours in advance of blasting, specifying the location and intended time of such blasting. Verbal notices shall be confirmed with written notice.

Exception: In an emergency situation, the time limit shall not apply where approved.

taken to prevent accidental discharge of electric detonators from currents induced by radar and radio transmitters, lightning, adjacent power lines, dust and snowstorms, or other sources of extraneous electricity.

shall be taken to prevent accidental initiation of nonelectric detonators from stray currents induced by lightning or static electricity.

being loaded or are loaded with explosive materials, blasting agents or detonators, only authorized persons engaged in drilling and loading operations or otherwise authorized to enter the site shall be allowed at the blast site. The blast site shall be guarded or barricaded and posted. Blast site security shall be maintained until after the post-blast inspection has been completed.

charges shall be made and loaded in accordance with NFPA 495.

5607.9.1 Drill hole loading. No holes shall be loaded except those to be fired in the next round of blasting. After loading, all remaining explosives shall be immediately returned to proper storage.

5607.9.2 Drill hole deepening. Drill holes which have contained explosives shall not be re-drilled.

After loading for a blast is completed and before firing, excess explosive materials shall be removed from the area and returned to the proper storage facilities.

means conforming to the provisions of NFPA 495.

The blaster shall supervise the connecting of the blastholes and the connection of the loadline to the power source or initiation point. Connections shall be made progressively from the blasthole back to the initiation point.

Blasting lead lines shall remain shunted (shorted) and shall not be connected to the blasting machine or other source of current until the blast is to be fired.

blaster has made certain that all surplus explosive materials are in a safe place in accordance with Section 5607.10, all persons and equipment are at a safe distance or under sufficient cover and that an adequate warning signal has been given.

After the blast, the following procedures shall be observed.

1. Persons shall not return to the blast area until allowed to do so by the blaster in charge.

2. The blaster shall allow sufficient time for smoke and fumes to dissipate and for dust to settle before returning to or approaching the blast area.

3. The blaster shall inspect the entire blast site for misfires before allowing other personnel to return to the blast area.

circuits shall be traced and a search made for unexploded charges. Where a misfire is found, the blaster shall provide proper safeguards for excluding all personnel from the blast area. Misfires shall be reported to the blasting supervisor

56-20 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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immediately. Misfires shall be handled under the direction of the person in charge of the blasting operation in accordance with NFPA 495.