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Prior Chicago Building Code
BUILDING CODE AND RELATED EXCERPTS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO
DIVISION 1 - ADMINISTRATION
DIVISION 2 - DEFINITIONS
DIVISION 3 - USE AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATIONS
DIVISION 4 - SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON USE AND OCCUPANCY
DIVISION 5 - GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
DIVISION 6 - TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 7 - FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 8 - INTERIOR FINISHES (NA)
DIVISION 9 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
DIVISION 10 - MEANS OF EGRESS
DIVISION 11 - ACCESSIBILITY
DIVISION 12 - INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
DIVISION 13 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
DIVISION 14 - EXTERIOR WALLS (NA)
DIVISION 15 - ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES (NA)
DIVISION 16 - STRUCTURAL DESIGN
DIVISION 17 - STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
DIVISION 18 - SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
DIVISION 19 - CONCRETE
DIVISION 20 - ALUMINUM (NA)
DIVISION 21 - MASONRY
DIVISION 22 - STEEL
DIVISION 23 - WOOD
DIVISION 24 - GLASS AND GLAZING (NA)
DIVISION 25 - GYPSUM BOARD AND PLASTER (NA)
DIVISION 26 - PLASTIC (NA)
DIVISION 27 - ELECTRICAL
DIVISION 28 - MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
DIVISION 29 - PLUMBING SYSTEMS
DIVISION 30 - ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
DIVISION 31 - SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION (NA)
DIVISION 32 - ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
DIVISION 33 - SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
DIVISION 34 - EXISTING STRUCTURES
DIVISION 35 - REFERENCED STANDARDS

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CHAPTER 15-20
EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
Article I.  Explosives
15-20-010   Definitions.
15-20-020   Licenses, certificates of fitness and bonds.
15-20-030   General transportation requirements.
15-20-040   Public conveyances prohibited.
15-20-050   Blasting operations.
15-20-060   Reserved.
15-20-070   Thawing of explosives.
15-20-080   Transportation by vessel or railroad car.
15-20-090   Labeling of packages.
15-20-100   Explosive cartridges.
15-20-110   Magazines.
15-20-120   Definitions.
15-20-130   Construction requirements.
15-20-140   Safety clearances.
15-20-150   Supervision of magazines.
15-20-160   Danger signs.
15-20-170   Sales to minors.
15-20-180   Seizure of explosives kept unlawfully.
15-20-190   Restrictions.
15-20-200   Manufacture of explosives prohibited.
Article II.  Fireworks
15-20-210   Definitions.
15-20-220   Prohibitions.
15-20-221   Penalties.
15-20-230   Advertising restrictions.
15-20-240   Display in public places.
15-20-250   Exemptions.
15-20-260   Permit and permit fees.
15-20-270   Unlawful fireworks in motor vehicle – Impoundment.
ARTICLE I.  EXPLOSIVES (15-20-010 et seq.)
15-20-010  Definitions.
   “Explosives” means any chemical compounded or mechanical mixture which is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, or which contains any oxidizing and combustible units, or other ingredients, in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion, or by detonator of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures will be capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb articles subdivided as follows:
   (a)   Unlawful Explosives. The manufacture, storage, sale, transportation or use of the following explosives is hereby prohibited:
      1.   Liquid nitroglycerine, except for medicinal purposes;
      2.   Explosives containing chlorate of potash, perchlorate of potash, and picric acid, except as used in blasting caps; provided, however, that any explosive containing chlorate of potash may be sold if it first conforms to the following test: Such mixture must be able to withstand a glancing blow inflicted with a rawhide mallet on soft wood without in any manner exploding, and also such mixture must be made so as not to reduce the chlorate;
      3.   Nitroglycerine dynamite containing over 60 percent of nitroglycerine, or gelatine dynamite equal in strength to over 75 percent of nitroglycerine dynamite;
      4.   Blasting caps containing less than nine and one-half grains of explosive mixture, at least 80 percent fulminate of mercury and 20 percent chlorate of potash, or its equivalent detonating strength;
      5.   Any fulminate of mercury in a dry condition;
      6.   Any fulminate of other metals in any condition except as a component of articles not otherwise prohibited;
      7.   Any fireworks which combine an explosive and a detonator;
      8.   Nitrocellulose in a dry and uncompressed condition in quantity greater than ten pounds net weight in one package;
      9.   Explosive compositions that ignite spontaneously or undergo marked decomposition, rendering the products or their use more hazardous, when subjected to 48 consecutive hours or less to a temperature of 167 degrees Fahrenheit;
      10.   New explosives until approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission or Department of Transportation, except that permits may be issued to educational, governmental or industrial laboratories for instructional or research purposes;
      11.   Explosives condemned by the Interstate Commerce Commission or Department of Transportation;
      12.   Explosives not packed or marked in accordance with the requirement of the Interstate Commerce Commission or Department of Transportation;
      13.   Explosives containing an ammonium salt and a chlorate.
   (b)   Authorized Explosives. Black powder high explosives not otherwise prohibited by the foregoing subparagraph, blasting caps, smokeless powder, wet fulminate or mercury, ammunition for cannon and small arms, explosive projectiles, railway torpedoes and flares, marine and highway flares, detonating fuses, primers, fuses and safety squibs. Such explosives may be stored or used in accordance with the provisions of this Code.
(Prior code §  125-1)
15-20-020  Licenses, certificates of fitness and bonds.
   For licensing provisions, certificate of fitness requirements, permits and bonding requirements, see Chapter 15-4.
(Prior code §  125-2)
15-20-030  General transportation requirements.
   (a)   No explosives shall be transported in any vehicles through the public ways of the city unless such vehicle is in charge of two competent persons each holding a certificate of fitness for such purpose. Said certificate of fitness shall be issued only to employees of a person duly licensed to transport or sell explosives in the city.
   (b)   Any mechanically propelled vehicle used for the transportation of explosives shall be in good condition for service, and shall have an enclosed wooden body completely fire-protected on the outside. The motor, fuel tank, carburetor, electric wiring and exhaust, shall be separate from the body of the vehicle. Internal combustion engines shall be separated not less than two feet from the outer wall of the body in which explosives are to be carried. All such vehicles must be constructed and maintained in accordance with specifications of, and subject to the approval of, the fire commissioner, who shall inspect or cause to be inspected all such vehicles at least once every six months. Mechanically driven vehicles must be equipped with such a device or devices as will not permit a speed in excess 15 miles per hour.
   (c)   No metal tools or other pieces of metal shall be carried within a vehicle carrying explosives, except in a separate tool box.
   (d)   No blasting caps or electric blasting caps or other combustible material shall be transported in the same vehicles with other explosives.
   (e)   A vehicle carrying explosives shall have motive power amply able to draw the load, and it shall avoid stoppages other than to load and unload, and no unnecessary stops or stands shall be made.
   (f)   Vehicles carrying explosives must not be left standing unless absolutely necessary, and then only when the brakes are set and motors stopped.
   (g)   No explosives shall be left in a vehicle unless such vehicle is in charge of an employee with a certificate of fitness, and no vehicle loaded with explosives shall be left unattended.
   (h)   Every vehicle carrying more than five pounds of explosive substances referred to in Section 15-20-010 shall display upon an erect pole at the front end of such vehicle and at such height that it shall be visible from all directions a red flag with the word “Danger” printed, stamped or sewn thereon in white letters at least six inches in height, or in lieu of such flag the word “Explosives” must be painted on or attached to the rear end and each side of such vehicle in letters at least four inches in height.
   (i)   Vehicles carrying explosives shall comply with Sections 15-24-1150 to 15-24-1210, inclusive. Wherever the phrase flammable liquids is used, it shall mean explosives and wherever the phrase truck, tank truck, semitank truck, or tank vehicle is used, it shall mean vehicles on which explosives are transported. The truck shall meet applicable Department of Transportation and/or Interstate Commerce Commission regulations and all requirements of the Municipal Code of the City of Chicago.
   (j)   No intoxicated person shall be permitted on a vehicle carrying explosives.
   (k)   No smoking within ten feet of a vehicle loaded with explosives shall be permitted.
   (l)   No person shall carry or transport in or upon such vehicle any explosives in excess of 2,000 pounds.
   (m)   No person in charge of a vehicle carrying explosives shall deliver them except in original and unbroken packages, nor at any place other than a duly authorized magazine and to the person in charge thereof.
   (n)   Each vehicle shall carry an approved water- type fire extinguisher thereon of not less than two and one-half gallons capacity.
(Prior code § 125-3; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 140)
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