Protective Enclosure and Workstation Protection Testing

Safety Management Services, Inc.


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	In-Process Simulation

	Ability to classify explosive substances and unfinished articles as manufactured in process.

In-Process Simulation

Definitions and Terms

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Test Series 6

Protective-Enclosure Testing

PROTECTIVE-ENCLOSURE TESTING

The use of technology to mitigate hazards is supported in civilian and military practice. Devices can be designed to fully contain or safely direct the deflagration and/or detonation effects of limited quantities of explosive material. Quantities of explosive may thereby be afforded the same level of isolation and safety as provided by the traditional quantity-distance (Q-D) separations.

A blast chimney is an example of these technologies. A blast chimney or other technology must be made to withstand the maximum possible event plus a 25 percent overcharge from the type and configuration of explosive contained within, if used in lieu of Q-D separations.

Shielding devices are evaluated for the following (MIL-STD-398):

·		Blast Attenuation - 1) to provide protection from accidental detonation, shall be designed to prevent exposure of operating personnel to peak positive incident pressures above 2.3 psi (16 kN/m²) or peak positive normal reflected pressure above 5.0 psi (34 kN/m²), and 2) to provide protection from intentional detonation of ammunition, shall be designed to prevent exposure of operating personnel to impulse noise levels exceeding 140 decibles.
·		Fragmentation Confinement - 1) to contain all fragmentation or direct fragmentation away from area requiring protection, 2) to prevent generation of secondary fragmentation within areas requiring protection, and 3) to prevent movement, overturning, or structural deflections that could result in personnel injury.
·		Thermal Effects Attenuation - 1) to limit exposure of personnel to a critical heat flux value based on the total time of exposure (designated by the equation µ [cal/(cm²)sec] = 0.62t^-0.7423, where t is time in seconds that a person is exposed to the radiant heat), 2) all operating personnel shall be located at a distance from the shield that assures their exposure is less than the heat flux determined from specified equations, and 3) the upper torso of an operator's body shall not be subjected to any visible fire or flame; flame impingement upon the lower portion of the body may be permitted provided that the heat flux specified above is not exceeded.

Any overpressure discharged must be done so in a manner that safely directs or dissipates the effects thereof. A blast chimney or other technology must be made to withstand the maximum credible event from the type and configuration of explosive contained within, if used as workstation protection in lieu of separated or unattended operations.

For more information regarding test pricing and availability, please contact:

Kirt N. Sasser
Director of Testing/ Classifications, SMS

To download and view the full in-process classification guide in PDF format (169 KB), click below:

"In-Process Hazard Classification of Explosives," K.N. Sasser, T.C. Speed, September 2005.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader and would like to download it for free, click on the image below to go to the Adobe site, scroll to the bottom of the popup window and choose, "Get Acrobat Reader free!":

In addition to in-process classification, SMS also has experience in providing testing and recommendations for DOT Shipping Classification and Material Characterization.