ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: September 12, 1995
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention Division
SUBJECT: Amendments to and Transfer of the Administration
of the Blasting By-law from Engineering Services
to Fire & Rescue Services
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the transfer of the administration of the
Blasting By-law from the Engineering Services to the Fire &
Rescue Services.
B. THAT Council repeal Blasting By-law Number 1737 and approve in
principle amendments to the Fire By-law as summarized in the
Appendix A of this report.
C. THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to bring
forward the appropriate By-law amendments.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Fire & Rescue Services and General Manager
of Engineering Services RECOMMEND approval of A, B and C.
COUNCIL POLICY
The current Blasting By-law was approved by City Council on August 31,
1925, and has been administered by the Engineering Department. This
By-law does not reflect current practices in the blasting industry.
Council had also approved Vancouver Fire By-law No. 7004 on November
1, 1992, Section 5.2., dealing with the storage, handling and use of
explosives, blasting agents, detonators, propellant explosives,
pyrotechnics and ammunition.
PURPOSE
This report recommends several non-controversial amendments to the
Vancouver Blasting By-law and transfer of its administra-tion from
Engineering Services to Fire & Rescue Services. These amendments will
facilitate improved clarity and under-standing of the requirements and
intent of the By-law and eliminate conflict between the two City By-
laws. Also, it places the administration of the By-law under a
service that deals with private and public property.
BACKGROUND
Over the last few years it has become apparent that the exist-ing
Blasting By-law does not reflect the practices of the blasting
industry. Also, Engineering Services has been issuing blasting
permits for events on private property. At the same time, Fire &
Rescue Services has also been issuing permits for the use of
explosives under the Fire By-law.
DISCUSSION
In order to address the effectiveness and administration of the
Blasting By-law, meetings were held with representatives of Industry,
Engineering Services and Fire & Rescue Services. Appendix A describes
how the amendments, when approved, will resolve the concerns raised by
industry and will resolve the present conflicts between By-laws.
Staff believe that the proposed amendments are non-controversial in
nature and do not require a public review. Industry is receptive to
the stream-lining of the permit process. At the same time, the City
will have a process where all concerned services will be aware of
events taking place and will have a chance to provide input.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
When the revised regulations are approved the City will have a more
effective method of controlling blasting within its boundaries,
including where and when blasting will be allowed. The proposed By-
law will also address the noise and safety concerns of the public.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
No additional resources will be required to administer the revised
permit system for blasting. At the present time, permits for the
transportation of explosives are issued by Fire & Rescue Services,
Fire Prevention Division. The Blasting Permit will be handled by
using the same procedure and will not be a great impact on present
resources.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are primarily two companies providing blasting services in
Vancouver. At the present time, no permit fee is charged for blasting
permits by Engineering Services. The proposed permit fee of $35.00
per quarter will cover the cost of issuing a permit and provide a
method of tracking blasting activities within the City.
IMPLEMENTATION AND COMMUNICATION PLAN
Industry is already aware of the proposed changes and has worked with
staff to ensure a workable system. Official notification will be made
via direct contact with industry and a news release will be issued
upon Council ratification.
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES AND BLASTING GUIDELINES
Add Subsection 5.2.3.
5.2.3. Blasting Activities
5.2.3.1. General
(1) No blasting activity is allowed within the limits of the City of Vancouver
unless a person obtains a permit from the Fire Chief.
(2) (a) Blasting activities must comply with all applicable regulations in
the Explosive Act (Canada), Worker's Compensation Industrial Health
and Safety Regulations, NFPA 495, Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Acts and Regulations and this By-law, City of Vancouver's Noise By-
law and the provisions of this By-law.
(b) Where there are more than one applicable regulation, the more
restrictive requirement shall apply.
5.2.3.2. Blasting Limitations
(1) (a) No person shall carry on blasting until written notification has been
given to nearby buildings to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief.
(b) No person shall carry on blasting unless they are licensed to do so
under the Explosives Act (Canada).
(c) The Licensed Blaster shall be responsible for providing all
information to the City regarding the explosion and shall supervise
all preparations before, during and after the explosion. This
information shall include, but not be limited to, liability,
insurance, contacts, security enforcement, etc.
(2) The blaster must take necessary precautions for the protection of persons
or property by:
(a) securing a clearance area around the blast
(b) minimizing the hazard of flying material resulting from a blast by
acceptable means.
(3) The amount of explosives at the site will be limited to the amount required
to perform the job.
5.2.3.3. Permit Conditions
(1) A person must satisfy all conditions and safety provisions on the blasting
permit (see Appendix A).
Add to Part 1 definitions:
*Blast or Blasting - the lighting, igniting, firing, or discharging of gunpowder,
stumping powder, dynamite, guncotton, nitro-glycerine, or any other explosive
substance or mixture for the purpose of moving, breaking, disturbing, loosening, or
splitting of any material or substance or demolition of a building.
*Danger Area - any area within which there is a possible danger to any persons or
property due to blasting.
*Clearance Area - any area where access is restricted to authorized personnel
associated with the blasting activity.
*These definitions are in the existing Blasting By-law 1737.
A-5.2.3.1.(1) Blasting permits will be obtained only if the conditions of the
Blastings Operations Guidelines are met, which will specify the time of blasting,
qualifications of blasters, insurance required, notification to neighbours, street
closure, etc.
* * * * * *
Note: A set of Blasting Operations Guidelines has been drafted to cover the
specifics of the permit, including insurance, blasting hours, blaster's
certificates, etc. It would be easier to amend a set of guidelines at a
later date, than make a change in the By-law.
BLASTING OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
WITHIN THE
CITY OF VANCOUVER
A. APPLICABILITY:
The requirements of these guidelines apply when any blasting operation is to be conducted in the
City of Vancouver. (Ref: Vancouver Fire By-law: subsection 5.2.3.)
B. PERMITS:
A permit from the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services (VF&RS) must be obtained prior to any
blasting operations in the City of Vancouver.
Small Blast: Small blasts of up to 3 lbs per blast can be covered under an annual blasting
permit issued to the licensed blaster.
Large Blast: Blast above 3 lbs per blast will require separate permit for each blast. A
written proposal must be submitted to the VF&RS prior to issuance of a permit authorizing a
blasting operation.
Liability insurance shall be approved by the Risk Management Department for any blasting
activity.
C. MEANS OF OBTAINING PERMISSION
Small Blast
A City of Vancouver Blaster Number will be issued to the licensed blaster. The blaster must
provide notification by phone to VF&RS Dispatch (phone 665-6032) immediately before detonation
referencing the blaster number. This way, Dispatch is aware of the event should there be any
inquiry regarding the noise after the blast.
The onus is on the licensed blaster to renew the City of Vancouver registration.
Large Blast
A written proposal must be submitted to the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services prior to issuance
of a permit authorizing any large blasting operation. Such proposal shall include general
information regarding:
1. the blast location,
2. time of blast,
3. technical information regarding the type and amounts of explosives to be used,
4. safety procedure,
5. place of purchase of the explosives,
6. personnel involved in the operation,
7. placement of charges,
8. information regarding the vehicles transporting explosives,
9. storage of explosives on site, and
10. the name and address of the blaster in charge of the blasting operation.
APPROVAL FROM AFFECTED CITY SERVICES IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT.
D. BLASTING OPERATIONS
1. Blasting operations shall be conducted during daylight hours and in conformance Noise By-Law
with the Vancouver Noise By-law, except as authorized by the Mayor. Section 16
2. Explosives will be limited to the amount required to perform the job. VFBL - add
3. On site storage of explosives shall be limited to day storage unless under special WCB 46.26.(2)
permit.
4. Licensed magazines may be used for temporary storage of quantities of explosives WCB 46.30
not exceeding 50 pounds at the site of blasting operations where such amount
constitutes not more than one day s supply for use in current operations.
5. Day boxes for use of explosive storage on a construction site shall be marked with WCB 46.28.
EXPLOSIVES sign in a conspicuous manner to warn others of the presence of
explosives.
6. The use of matches, lights, spark-producing devices or the presence of any open WCB 46.70
flame is prohibited within 15m of areas where explosives are being used, except
for the lighting of safety fuse in conjunction with approved blasting operations.
7. Explosive materials shall not be abandoned. WCB 46.68
8. Before a blast is fired, the blaster shall make certain that all surplus WCB 46.108
explosives are in a safe place, all persons and vehicles are at a safe distance or
under sufficient cover and a loud warning signal has been sounded.
9. A complete survey of the immediate vicinity shall be undertaken to unsure all WCB 46.108
personnel are accounted for prior to and after blasting.
10. All safety precautions normally required for a construction site such as hardhats VBBL - Part 8
and safety shoes must be strictly followed.
11. For a Large Blast a member of the Fire & Rescue Services may be on-site to issue procedure
final approval of detonation and will be in direct communication with the blaster.
12. Street closures or use of City Property for blasting operations require the procedure
approval of the City Engineer.
a. Vehicles used for transporting explosives shall be in good mechanical condition WCB 46.40
and strong enough to carry the load without difficulty. Such vehicles shall have
tight floors and exposed spark-producing metal on the inside of the body shall be
covered with wood or other non-metallic material to prevent contact with packages
of explosives.
b. Vehicles carrying explosives shall be equipped with at least one portable fire VFBL 4.11.9.
extinguisher with a minimum rating of 4-A, 40-BC and located as readily available Explosive Act
for use.
c. The transportation of explosives shall strictly adhered to all labelling, Explosive Act
placarding, and other Department of Transportation requirements.
d. The following blast check list may be followed for large blasts where applicable:
1. Approval from Engineering Services
2. Review abort procedure with Blaster _________
3. Okay from Blaster that wiring and loading is completed _________
4. Notify Vancouver Police Department to implement street closure _________
5. Notify Vancouver Fire Department Dispatch _________
6. Blaster in safe area _________
7. Police Officer regulatory _________
8. Police verification that all streets are closed _________
9. Final check of blast area _________
10. Verbal warning _________
11. Detonate Blast _________
12. Quick check of blast area by Blaster _________
13. All clear signal (1 long horn) _________
* * * * *