What Is the Maximum Credible Event for Hazard Division 1.6 Explosive Articles?

Abstract

Many important explosive safety functions such as hazard analysis, explosives hazard classification and facility siting are based on the anticipated maximum credible event. This paper focuses on the maximum credible event for Hazard Division 1.6 explosive articles. The research Mr. Griffith has recently completed at the Pantex Plant examines several explosives safety documents including DOD6055.09-STD, NAVSEA OP 5, DDESB Technical Paper 14, UN/SCETDG/33/INF.54, and DOE M 4401.1-A, and outlines the various Hazard Division (HD) 1.6 maximum credible events (MCE) described within those documents. In this paper Mr. Griffith discusses the wide range of maximum credible events identified in those documents with hazards ranging from mass fire, projection of fragments, blast from the detonation of a single item without fragmentation, to no significant hazard. Unlike any other classifications of explosives, there is no empirical data to evaluate since there has never been a recorded accident involving HD 1.6 explosives. This paper does however compare the HD 1.6 test criteria of Series 7, Technical Bulletin 700-2 with the HD 1.6 MCEs descriptions identified in the various documents researched. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need to develop a singular, universally accepted Hazard Division 1.6 maximum credible event. The standardized application of a definitive HD 1.6 MCE is essential for many fundamental explosive safety functions such as hazard analysis, facility siting, and the determination of appropriate operating limits.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA532266

Entities

People

  • Robert Griffith

Organizations

  • National Nuclear Security Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Ammunition
  • Blast
  • Classification
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detonations
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Fragmentation
  • General Purpose Bombs
  • Hazards
  • Impact Tests
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Munitions
  • Sympathetic Detonations
  • Transportation
  • United Nations

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.