User Guide to Thresholds and Classification - Environmental ...

19User Guide for Thresholds and Classificationsmmprimary explosivesubstancepropellant explosivesubstancepyrotechnic effectpyrotechnic substancesecondary detonatingexplosive substancesolidTest SeriesUN Manual of Testsand CriteriaUN Model Regulationsmillimetre(s)A substance that:has the necessary sensitivity to heat, friction, or shock to make it suitable forinitiating secondary detonating explosive substances and articles; andwhen incorporated into an explosive article, is known as a primer or detonator.A substance that deflagrates (that is, is capable of a steady high rate of production ofgas sufficient to generate a force capable of producing movement or physical change,the rate of gas production under confinement is able to result in a detonation).In relation to a substance that is initiated, means the production in that substance of aself-sustaining exothermic chemical reaction resulting in heat, sound, light, smoke, gas,or motion, or a combination of these.A substance that produces pyrotechnic effects.A substance designed to detonate that requires stimulation equivalent to the detonationof a primary explosive substance to initiate it.A substance that is neither a liquid nor a gas.When followed by a letter or number, means one or more tests as prescribed in the UNManual of Tests and Criteria.Third revised edition of Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsManual of Tests and Criteria (United Nations, 1999a). Note: Equivalent material can befound in more recent versions of this document, for example, the 4th revised edition.Eleventh revised edition of Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous GoodsModel Regulations (United Nations, 1999b). Note: Equivalent material can be found inmore recent versions of this document, for example, the 15th revised edition.2.3. Threshold for substances with an explosive property2.3.1. Two elements to the thresholdThe two elements to the threshold for substances with an explosive property are:an ability to cause an explosive effect (explosiveness), coupled with a sufficient likelihood of detonationor deflagration, when stimulated (sensitiveness); andwhether substances are designed to detonate, deflagrate, or produce a pyrotechnic effect.The first criterion requires results of the quantitative tests set out in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. Aswell as following the UN, the second criterion carries over the current scope of the Explosives Act 1957. Itprovides for any article designed to have an explosive effect to be assessed under the HSNO Act, withoutthe need for the first two test types covered in the first criterion. These criteria are expanded, in moretechnical detail, in section 2.3.2.2.3.2. Explosive threshold technical descriptionJanuary 2012 EPA0109