A. Scope: The provisions of this section regulating the use of explosives are to be observed in addition to the requirements of the currently adopted edition of the international fire code. Where requirements conflict the provisions of this section apply.
B. Permit Required: A blasting permit shall be required prior to the use of any explosive within the city. Permits will be issued by the fire department after compliance with the requirements of this section.
C. Site Plan Required: The application for a blasting permit must be accompanied by a site plan of the proposed blasting operation that identifies all utilities and structures within a one hundred foot (100') radius of each explosive blast. The site plan must also identify the proposed location of all seismographic sensing devices.
D. Insurance Required: Before a permit for the use of explosives is issued, the applicant must file with the city a liability insurance policy, naming the city as an additional insured, on an occurrence from basis in the principal amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) combined single limit for the purpose of the payment of all damages to persons or property which arise from or are caused by the conduct of any act authorized by the permit. The insurance policy must be certified by the maker or underwriter to be unencumbered by claims or legal proceedings which may reduce available coverage below the one million dollar ($1,000,000.00) limit. The fire chief may require a greater or lesser amount of coverage when, in his opinion, conditions at the location of use indicate a greater or lesser amount of coverage is required. Public agencies and utilities shall be exempt from this insurance requirement.
E. Release Of Liability: Before any permit shall issue the applicant for said permit shall agree in writing to indemnify, defend and hold the city and its officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all liability resulting from the issuance of the blasting permit and any blasting activity associated with the permit.
F. Demonstrated Lack Of Alternate Method: Prior to the issuance of a blasting permit the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the city engineer that excavation cannot be accomplished by use of suitable power excavation equipment. "Suitable power excavation equipment" is defined as a single-tooth ripper pulled by a crawler type tractor having a flywheel rating of not less than three hundred (300) horsepower. When, in the opinion of the city engineer, the circumstances of the proposed blasting make the requirement of this subsection impractical, the demonstration may be waived.
G. Permit Fee: The application for a blasting permit must be accompanied by the required fee in the amount established by resolution of the city council.
H. Notification Required: Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of any structures or gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone or other utility lines or facilities, the blaster shall notify the appropriate representative of each utility and owner of each of the structures and all additional persons identified by the fire chief of the date, time and location of the blasting at least twenty four (24) hours and no more than ten (10) days in advance. The blaster must document, to the satisfaction of the fire chief that the required notification has occurred prior to each blasting event. The fire chief may waive or reduce the requirements of this subsection in the event of an emergency or when the blaster has documented, to the satisfaction of the fire chief, that they have made at least four (4) attempts to contact each required person or entity with at least two (2) attempts occurring between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. and two (2) attempts between the hours of six o'clock (6:00) P.M. and nine o'clock (9:00) P.M.
I. Preblasting Inspection: At the time of notification required by subsection H of this section, the blaster must offer to perform a preblast inspection of each structure or facility at a date and time acceptable to the property owner. The purpose of the inspection is to identify and document all preblast damage, including cracks in walls, floors, ceilings and around windows, loose bricks and other defects inside and outside the structures.
J. Seismographic Monitoring Required: Seismographic equipment, approved by the fire chief, and of a type that measures and records seismographic information resulting from blasting activities must be placed in approved locations during all blasting events. Copies of all seismic activity recorded during each blasting event shall be submitted to the fire chief immediately following each day of blasting. Professional assistance may be required by the fire chief to interpret and certify recorded data at the expense of the blasting contractor. The requirements of this subsection may be waived by the fire chief for approved single charged detonations. The following formula shall be used in the determination of charge size relative to distance from exposure for single charged detonations:
[
DISTANCE ] 2 = 50 | ALLOWABLE POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES |
K. Blasting Operations: The permit holder shall provide sufficient personnel to maintain visual contact with all areas surrounding the blasting site to control vehicular and pedestrian access to the entire blasting area. A method, approved by the fire chief, of signaling or communication between these personnel and the blaster must be provided.
L. Maximum Peak Particle Velocities: Blasting that produces peak particle velocities in excess of 0.5 inch per second at the foundation of any structure is prohibited regardless of the frequency of ground vibration.
M. Penalties For Violation: Failure to provide required information or conform to the requirements of this section may cause the permit for the proposed blasting to be canceled and revoked at the discretion of the fire chief. Any person who continues with a blasting event after a permit has been denied, canceled or revoked or otherwise violates any of the mandatory requirements of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in section 1.28.010 of this code. (Ord. 3253 §1, 2006)