Section 920. Electric detonators

A. When electric detonators are used, an acceptable blaster's galvanometer or blaster's multi-meter shall be used to test detonators, firing lines, series circuits, and total circuit resistance prior to firing.

B. Electric detonators of different brands shall not be used in the same blast.

C. Except when being tested with an acceptable instrument:

1. Electric detonators shall be kept shunted until they are connected into the series circuit;

2. Series circuits shall be kept shunted until they are connected onto the firing line; and

3. Firing lines shall be kept shunted until immediately before blasting.

D. Blasting machines or other acceptable power sources shall be suitable for the number of electric detonators to be fired and for the type of circuits to be used.

E. When electric detonators are used, sources of stray current to the blasting area shall be de-energized. Blasting activities shall be stopped immediately if stray current or static electricity in amounts sufficient to cause a premature detonation are encountered.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 6.15, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.

Statutory Authority

§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.