2021 Tennessee Code
Title 68 - Health, Safety and Environmental Protection
Chapter 105 - Tennessee Blasting Standards Act of 1975
§ 68-105-102. Chapter Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Airblast” means a pressure wave from a blast traveling through the atmosphere;


2. “ATF” means the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives of the United States department of justice;


3. “ATF permit or license” means the permit or license issued by the ATF and required by 18 U.S.C. § 842 for any person who intends to engage in business as an explosive materials user, importer, manufacturer, or dealer;


4. “Blast” or “shot” means the act of detonating explosive materials joined by a shared initiation system and a single firing device;


5. “Blast hole” means a hole drilled in rock or other material for the placement of explosives;


6. “Blaster” means a person qualified by reason of training, knowledge, experience and registration to fire or detonate explosives in blasting operations;


7. “Blasting operation” means the use of explosives in the blasting of stone, rock, ore or any other natural formation, or in any construction or demolition work;


8. “Charge” means a quantity of explosives that is to be detonated within a segregated position in the blast design;


9. “Commissioner” means commissioner of commerce and insurance;


10. “Delay” means a period of time until detonation after application of energy to the ignition system;


11. “Delay period” means a time separation of eight (8) milliseconds or greater between detonation of charges;


12. “Department” means the department of commerce and insurance;


13. “Distance” means the actual distance in feet along ground contour to the nearest dwelling house, public building, school, church, commercial or institutional building normally occupied;


14. “Explosives” means any chemical compound or other substance or mechanical system intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, or that contains oxidizing and combustible units or other ingredients in such proportion or quantities that ignition by detonation may produce an explosion, capable of causing injury to persons or damage to property;


15. “Handler” means a person qualified by reason of training, knowledge, experience and registration to accept custody and possession of explosives in blasting operations;


16. “Letter of denial” means a written notification from the ATF indicating that an individual is not approved to possess, use, manufacture, distribute, transport, or direct the use or management of explosives;


17. “Limited blaster” means a person qualified by reason of training, knowledge, experience and registration to fire or detonate not more than five (5) pounds of explosives per blast;


18. “Person” means an individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, copartnership, association, firm, trust, estate or other entity whatsoever;


19. “Scaled distance” means the actual distance in feet divided by the square root of the maximum charge weight per delay period, in pounds; and


20. “Weight” means the maximum weight of explosive, in pounds. For the sole purpose of using the formula set forth in § 68-105-104, “weight” means maximum pounds per delay period.