Purpose:

To establish the policies and procedures for issuing fire department permits for blasting operations.

Policy:

I. Permit Processing:

           A. Blasting permits shall be issued at the Fire Prevention Bureau Office for all blasting operations conducted in the City of Charlotte and the areas of the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

           B. Upon applying for a blasting permit, the office assistant shall be provided with the following information:

                    1. A corporate surety bond in the principal sum of $1,000,000.00 minimum or proof of liability insurance in the same amount. The bond or policy shall be in force for the duration of the blasting operations.

                    2. A description or resume' of the blaster(s) setting forth the name, age experience, business address and phone number.

                    3. Two copies of a site plan, minimum 81/2" X 11", drawn to scale indicating:

                               a.    Blasting area(s).
                               b.   Any structures and their distance to blasting site.
                               c.    Nearby railways or roads.
                               d.    Any barricades, whether manmade or natural.
                               e.      Location and distance from any utilities.

                       4. A description setting forth the storage arrangements of explosives, amount of storage and method of detonation.

          C. The blaster applying for the permit will be provided with Bulletin #22.2 titled "Charlotte Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau Blasting Requirements". 

           D. Once the permit information and fee is obtained, the office assistant will provide that information to the area inspector for review prior to processing the information and depositing the check.

          E.The area Fire Inspector shall review the information for approval as soon as practical and communicate back to the office assistant so that the permit can be processed and check deposited. Once processed, the permit will be provided to the inspector so that it can be delivered to the blaster at the site when the site inspection is conducted.

II. Site Inspection:

           A. Prior to the first "shot", the Fire Inspector shall perform a site inspection to issue the permit and ensure that all required proper guidelines set forth in Chapter 33 of the North Carolina Fire Code and Bulletin #22.2 are being followed and that the site plan provided by the blaster is consistent with the blast area.

           B. The Fire Inspector shall complete an inspection report for the site visit and enter "BLAS" in the "apt/suite" entry field on the inspection report.

           C. At the discretion of the Fire Inspector, he or she may witness the first shot to ensure that no unusual hazards or conditions are present during or after the blast. Prior to the shot, Fire Alarm shall be contacted at 704-336-2441 and, if in the ETJ area, Mecklenburg County Fire Communications shall be contacted at 704-943-6200.

             D. The blaster shall maintain the blasting permit on the job site and have it readily available throughout the course of the work.

III. Pop Shot Permits:

          A. A "Pop Shot" permit may be issued so that blasters and/or utility contractors will have immediate blasting approval for those jobs that require the use of small amounts of blasting materials. 

          B.The Pop Shot permit shall be obtained at the Fire Prevention Bureau Office in the same manner as a standard blasting permit with the following exception:

                   1. The only documentation required of the blaster is:
                            a.       A corporate surety bond or certificate of insurance for $1,000,000.00 minimum, and

                            b.      A description or resume' of the blaster(s)

         C. A Pop Shot permit shall be valid for 1 (one) year, or until expiration of the certificate of insurance, whichever is less.  

         D.Pop Shots shall be limited to:

              1. A total of 10 pounds of explosives.

              2. A maximum of 6 (six) holes.

              3. A delay sequence of not more than 2 pounds per delay.

         E.The blaster shall follow all other applicable guidelines set forth in Bulletin #22.2 as indicated.