§ 5.192. Operation.
(a) Floors. Floors in storage areas and in the processing plant shall be composed of concrete.
(b) Storage areas. Storage areas for processed or unprocessed ammonium nitrate shall be separated from fuel storage areas.
(c) Draft vents. A natural draft vent shall be provided.
(d) Heating. Heat shall be provided exclusively from a source located outside the building.
(e) Washdown hose and drain. A washdown hose and drain shall be provided.
(f) Mixer design. Mixer design shall avoid possibilities of frictional heating, compaction, and particularly, confinement. Only open mixers shall be used. Bearings and gears shall be protected against the accumulation of ammonium nitrate dust. All surfaces shall be easily accessible for cleaning.
(g) Mixing and packaging equipment. Mixing and packaging equipment shall be constructed of nonsparking materials compatible with the ammonium nitrate composition. Copper and its alloys are not preferred because of corrosion problems.
(h) Personnel limits. Personnel limits shall be established, posted, and enforced while operations involving explosives are underway in the mixing plant.
(i) Daily washdowns. There shall be daily washdowns of the floors and equipment of mixing and packaging rooms to prevent any accumulation of ammonium nitrate or fuel oil or other sensitizers.
(j) Sensitizing of ammonium nitrate materials. The sensitizing of ammonium nitrate in an established mine or quarry and at the site of an explosive blast for immediate use is permitted, subject to all the requirements of this section and such sensitizing shall:
(1) Be done under the direct supervision of a licensed blaster.
(2) In a location reasonably safe in light of the quantities involved.
(3) Using equipment, materials, and methods approved by an authorized representative of the Department as adequate to provide for proper and safe admixture without frictional heating, compaction, or confinement.
(4) In quantities and at locations appropriate to minimize the requirements for storage, handling, and transportation of sensitized ammonium nitrate materials.
(5) Smoking and any open flame are prohibited where sensitizing is being conducted.
(k) Use of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The use of liquid hydrocarbon fuels of a volatility no higher than No. 2 diesel fuel (minimum flashpoint of 145° F ASTM closed cup procedure) is prohibited.
(l) Use of metal dust. The use of metal dust, such as aluminum powder or chlorates and perchlorates, or explosive oil, such as nitroglycerine, will be permitted only where the strict standards of normal explosive plant operations are met.
(m) Unusual compositions. No unusual compositions shall be attempted, except under the supervision of competent personnel equipped to determine the sensitivity of the resulting compositions.
(n) Distance. A maximum production of one day or the limit determined by the Intraplant Quantity and Distance Table in § 5.62 (relating to location), whichever is less, is permitted within the immediate vicinity of the mixing or packaging plant.
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