# The Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003, Paragraph 3


Procedure
Preparation of booster charge for insertion into steel tube.
There are two methods of initiation of the explosive in the booster charge, depending on the availability of equipment.
(1) First Method: Seven-point simultaneous initiation.
The booster charge prepared for use is shown in Drawing 2.
(i)Drill holes in the wooden disc parallel to the axis of the disc through the centre and through six points symmetrically distributed around a concentric circle 55 mm in diameter. The diameter of the holes must be 6 to 7 mm (see Section A-B in Drawing 2), depending on the diameter of the detonating cord used.
(ii)Cut seven lengths of flexible detonating cord each 400 mm long, avoiding any loss of explosive at each end by making a clean cut and immediately sealing the end with adhesive. Push each of the seven lengths through the seven holes in the wooden disc until their ends project a few cm on the other side of the disc. Then insert a small dressmaking pin transversally into the textile sleeve of each length of cord 5 to 6 mm from the end and apply adhesive around the outside of the lengths of cord in a band 2 cm wide adjacent to the pin. Finally, pull the long piece of each cord to bring the pin into contact with the wooden disc.
(iii)Shape the plastic explosive to form a cylinder 92 to 96 mm in diameter, depending on the internal diameter of the cylinder at 2(i). Stand the cylinder at 2(i) upright on a level surface and insert the shaped explosive. Then insert the wooden disc. The diameter of the disc must always correspond to the inside diameter of the cylinder at 2(i). Carry the seven lengths of detonating cord into the top of this cylinder and press it down onto the explosive. Adjust the height of the cylinder (64 to 67 mm) so that its top edge does not extend beyond the level of the wood. Finally, fix the cylinder at 2(i) to the wooden disc for instance with staples or small nails, around its entire circumference.
(iv)Group the free ends of the seven lengths of detonating cord around the circumference of the wooden rod so that their ends are all level in a plane perpendicular to the rod. Secure them in a bundle around the rod by means of adhesive tape. When the six peripheral lengths of cord are taut after assembly, the central cord must remain slightly slack.
(2) Second Method: Central initiation by a compressed pellet.
The booster charge prepared for use is shown in Drawing 3.
(i)Prepare a compressed pellet.
(ii)Taking the necessary safety precautions, place 10 grams of a secondary explosive in a mould with an inside diameter of 19 to 21 mm and compress to the correct shape and density.
(iii)The ratio of diameter: height should be roughly 1: 1.
(iv)In the centre of the bottom of the mould there is a peg, 12 mm in height and 7.0 to 7.3 mm in diameter (depending on the diameter of the detonator used), which forms a cylindrical recess in the compressed cartridge for subsequent insertion of the detonator.
(v)Prepare the booster charge
Place the explosive into the cylinder at 2(i) standing upright on a level surface, then press it down with a wooden die to give the explosive a cylindrical shape with a central recess. Insert the compressed pellet into this recess. Cover the cylindrically shaped explosive containing the compressed pellet with a wooden disc having a central hole 7.0 to 7.3 mm in diameter for insertion of a detonator. Fix the wooden disc and the cylinder together with a cross of adhesive tape. Ensure that the hole drilled in the disc and the recess in the compressed pellet are coaxial by inserting the wooden rod.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1082/schedule/2/paragraph/3 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/ammonium-nitrate-materials-high-nitrogen-content-safety-regulations-2003/schedule-2/paragraph-3
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.