The objective of a siting evaluation is to protect personnel and facilities from explosive or other highly reactive operations through proper facility design or separation. We use industry and government accepted methodologies (e.g. UBC, DoD) for the evaluation of siting and the orientation of facilities to minimize the potential hazards from reactive chemicals and explosives on a plant site. We believe that the objective of a siting evaluation is to protect personnel and facilities from explosive or other highly reactive operations through proper facility design or separation.

SMS can assist you in understanding the regulations that apply to explosive operations. Our experienced staff understands civilian and military explosives manufacturing and storage regulations and their application.

Explosive facility issues include building design, facility siting, barricades, and many other concerns. We can help you to apply the principles and comply with the regulations that effect your operational plans. Proper application of these principles not only brings your facility into compliance but also manages and minimizes the risks in the event of an incident or release.

We specialize in interfacing with the individual regulating agencies (e.g., town, city, county, state, and the federal government). Many of the smaller agencies do not fully understand the regulations and require thorough education on what your facility will be doing and what the regulations really mean to you, to them, and the public they desire to protect.

Although the regulating codes attempt to cover virtually all situations, a particular code or set of codes tends to focus primarily on an assumed set of situations or operations. The UBC, for example, recognizes that it cannot cover all situations and states that "the building official may require a technical opinion and report to identify and develop methods of protection from the hazards presented by the hazardous material."

Where different regulatory codes appear to conflict or where one is more or less stringent than another, technical analysis and the focus of the code must be used to determine the best fit for the situation. To do otherwise may adversely affect operations, increase risk in the event of an incident/release, and could inhibit future expansion of your facility.

Whether you manufacture explosives, have explosive intermediaries, or use and store explosive materials as part of your process -- we can help!