§ 23-28.28-9. Standards for use of explosives.
(a) All licensees under this chapter, when using any explosives, shall not exceed the standards of distance, amount of charge, maximum earth vibration, and maximum air shock as set forth in the United States department of the interior bureau of mines report of investigators number 8507 which is entitled “Structure Response and Damage Produced by Ground Vibration from Surface Mines Blasting”, and any amendment and/or modifications thereof, which standards are incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Blasting limits. No licensee shall use an explosive weight in pounds per delay in excess of the formula of the distance to the nearest structure in feet, divided by the factor of seventy (70), multiplied by itself, [W = (D/70) squared], except when seismograph monitoring as set forth in subsection (c).
(c) Seismograph required. Each licensee shall be required to perform a seismograph test at the nearest structure to the blast prior to and during any blasting that would exceed the limits as set forth in subsection (b).
(d)(1) Seismic limits. At the structure nearest to the blast, the peak particle velocity in any direction at frequencies between 2.5 and 10 Hertz shall not exceed 0.5 inches per second, and at each frequency, f, greater than 10 Hertz, the peak particle velocity shall not exceed 0.05f inches per second up to a maximum of 2 inches per second. In addition, at the nearest structure no air-shock (sound) reading shall exceed one hundred and thirty-four (134) decibels using a 0.1-Hz, high-pass system, or exceed one hundred and thirty-three (133) decibels using a 2-Hz high-pass system or exceed one hundred and twenty-nine (129) decibels using a 5-Hz or 6-Hz high-pass system.
(2) If the licensee is blasting within the allowed limits as dictated under subsection (b), but is found in excess of the seismic limits of this subsection, the licensee shall reduce the amount of explosives per delay, or adjust the operation to comply with the limits as dictated by this subsection.
History of Section.P.L. 1979, ch. 313, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 120, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Section 23-28.28-1. - Definitions.
Section 23-28.28-2. - Permit required.
Section 23-28.28-3. - Manufacturing permit.
Section 23-28.28-4. - Dealers’ permits.
Section 23-28.28-5. - Permit to possess explosives.
Section 23-28.28-6. - Permit to use explosives.
Section 23-28.28-7. - Application for use permit — Emergency permit.
Section 23-28.28-8. - Quarry operations and repeated blasting.
Section 23-28.28-9. - Standards for use of explosives.
Section 23-28.28-10. - Permit fees.
Section 23-28.28-11. - Expiration of permits.
Section 23-28.28-12. - Revocation of permit.
Section 23-28.28-13. - Records of shipments, sales, and purchases.
Section 23-28.28-14. - Sale to unlicensed persons prohibited.
Section 23-28.28-15. - Military and public agencies exempt.
Section 23-28.28-16. - Repealed.
Section 23-28.28-17. - Reports.
Section 23-28.28-18. - Manufacture of explosives.
Section 23-28.28-19. - Records of visitors.
Section 23-28.28-20, 23-28.28-21. - Repealed.
Section 23-28.28-22. - Storage and transportation of explosives on water.
Section 23-28.28-23 - — 23-28.28-25. Repealed.
Section 23-28.28-26. - Requirement for removal of explosives or providing watchperson.
Section 23-28.28-27. - Report of explosion or fire.
Section 23-28.28-28 - — 23-28.28-30. Repealed.
Section 23-28.28-31. - License to conduct blasting operations.
Section 23-28.28-32. - Bond for blasting operations.
Section 23-28.28-33. - Disposal of detonators and explosives prohibited.
Section 23-28.28-34. - Penalty for violations — Seizure of explosives.
Section 23-28.28-35. - Forfeiture of vehicles, vessels, or aircraft.
Section 23-28.28-36. - Severability.