# The Explosives Act 1875 etc. (Metrication and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 1984 S.I. 1984/510 · made 3 April 1984 These Regulations amend the Explosives Act 1875 and various Orders in Council, orders and rules made thereunder or otherwise relating to explosives, by substituting measurements expressed in metric units for measurements not so expressed. The measurements thus substituted preserve the effect of the original provisions except to the extent necessary to obtain amounts expressed in convenient and suitable terms. (Regulations 2 and 3.) PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/explosives-act-1875-etc-metrication-and-miscellaneous-amendment-regulations-1984/pdf/uksi_19840510_en.pdf ## Introductory text HEALTH AND SAFETY Made 3rd April 1984 Laid before Parliament 16th April 1984 Coming into Operation 8th May 1984 The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 15(1) and (3)(a), 49(1) , (2) and (4) and 82(3)(a) of, and paragraphs 1(4), 3 and 4(1) of Schedule 3 to, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (“the 1974 Act”) and for the purpose of giving effect without modifications to proposals submitted to him by the Health and Safety Commission under section 11(2)(d) of the 1974 Act after the carrying out by the said Commission of consultations in accordance with section 50(3) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:— ## 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Explosives Act 1875 etc. (Metrication and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 1984 and shall come into operation on 8th May 1984. (2) In these Regulations “the principal instruments” means — (a) the Explosives Act 1875, (b) the Order in Council (No. 16B) under the Explosives Act 1875, amending Order in Council of October 26 1896 (No. 16), relating to the keeping of Mixed Explosives on Registered Premises (“Order in Council No. 16B”), (c) the Packing of Explosive for Conveyance Rules 1949, (d) the Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures Exemption Order 1967, and (e) the Orders in Council and orders specified in column 1 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations. ## 2 Amendments to the principal instruments The provisions of the principal instruments specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations in column 1 shall be amended by substituting for the measurements set out opposite thereto in column 3, the measurements set out in the corresponding entry in column 4. ## 3 Amendments to Order in Council No. 16B and to the Packing of Explosive for Conveyance Rules 1949 Wherever in either— (a) Articles (1) to (3) of Order in Council No. 16B which specify the maximum quantity of explosive allowed to be kept on premises registered for the keeping of mixed explosives; or (b) the Schedule to the Packing of Explosive for Conveyance Rules 1949 which specifies the methods of packing authorised explosives; there appears any imperial measurement of weight or distance which is specified in Schedule 2 to these Regulations in column 1, there shall be substituted the metric measurement specified in the corresponding entry in column 2. ## 4 Additional amendments to Order of Secretary of State No. 11 The Order of the Secretary of State (No. 11), dated September 20 1924, making Byelaws as to the Conveyance of Explosives on Roads and in certain special cases shall be amended as follows— (a) in regulation (m) of byelaw 4 (which provides for approval by the Secretary of State of conditions for the conveyance of explosive in certain carriages and boats) by substituting for the words “the Secretary of State” the words “the Health and Safety Executive”; (b) in regulation (p) of byelaw 4 by substituting for the measurement “8,000 lbs.” (which measurement is the maximum amount of explosive to be conveyed in an enclosed carriage otherwise than on a private railway) the measurement “5 tonnes.” ## 5 Amendments to the Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures Exemption Order 1967 Article 2 of the Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures Exemption Order 1967 (which article describes a test by which an explosive is to be a prescribed explosive for the purposes of section 50 of the Explosives Act 1875) shall be amended by substituting for the measurements— (a) “12 inches (304.8 millimetres)” the measurement “300 millimetres”; (b) “3 inches (76.2 millimetres)” the measurement “75 millimetres”; (c) “one gramme” the measurement “1 gram”. ## 6 Application to premises and plant in existence or under construction Where any premises or plant in existence or under construction immediately before the coming into operation of these Regulations complied with the requirements of the principal instruments as then in force, those premises or that plant shall be deemed to comply with the principal instruments as amended by these Regulations. ## 7 Revocation The Explosives (Conveyance) (Private Railways) Byelaws 1960 are hereby revoked. ## Signature Signed by order of the Secretary of State. John Selwyn Gummer Minister of State Department of Employment 3rd April 1984 ## Schedule 1 AMENDMENTS TO PROVISIONS 1 2 3 4 Provisions to be amended Subject-matter of measurement Present measurement Substituted measurement EXPLOSIVES ACT 1875 Parts I , II and III Section 5: (proviso (1)) Maximum amount of gunpowder to which the section does not apply, if kept for private use and not for sale thirty pounds 15 kilograms Section 7 Area for service of notice on local and harbour authorities one mile 1.6 kilometres Section 16(3) Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in certain stores two tons 2,000 kilograms Section 17: General Rule No. (5) Amount of gunpowder below which stores need not have a lightning conductor one thousand pounds 500 kilograms Section 22: General Rule No. (2)(a) Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in certain registered premises two hundred pounds 100 kilograms Section 22: General Rule No. (2)(b) Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in other registered premises— fifty pounds 25 kilograms but if in fire-proof safe one hundred pounds 50 kilograms Section 22: General Rule No. (5) Amount above which gunpowder shall be kept in a substantial receptacle one pound 500 grams Section 24 Designated area deemed to be part of a building twenty yards 20 metres Additional quantity of gunpowder allowed in a factory under certain conditions ten hundred weight 500 kilograms Section 32 Amount above which gunpowder shall be sold in a substantial receptacle one pound 500 grams Section 46: regulation (1) Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room five pounds 2 kilograms Section 47: regulation (1) Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in certain workshops one hundred pounds 50 kilograms Section 48: paragraph (a) Maximum amount of explosive allowed in small firework factory one hundred pounds 50 kilograms Section 48: paragraph (b) Maximum amount of manufactured fireworks allowed in small firework factory five hundred pounds 250 kilograms Section 48: paragraph (c) Maximum amount of coloured fires or stars allowed in small firework factory twenty-five pounds 12 kilograms Section 63 Amount of gunpowder above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases half a ton 500 kilograms First Schedule: Part One Regulation (1) Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed under mill stones in certain circumstances at one time fifty pounds 25 kilograms sixty pounds 30 kilograms Regulation (2) Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to under press at one time ten hundred weight 500 kilograms Regulation (3) Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to be granulated at one time twelve hundred weight 600 kilograms Regulation (4) Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to be dried at one time fifty hundred weight 2,500 kilograms Regulation (5) Minimum distance between press houses etc. and expense magazines forty yards 35 metres Regulation (6) Minimum distance between mill and factory magazine one hundred and forty yards 125 metres Regulation (7) Minimum distance for charcoal from a mill, press or magazine 20 yards 20 metres First Schedule : Part Two Regulation (2) Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in a well constructed store four thousand pounds 2,000 kilograms Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in other stores three hundred pounds 150 kilograms Regulation (3) Amount of gunpowder in certain stores three hundred pounds 150 kilograms Distance within which store shall be from mine, quarry, etc. two hundred yards 180 metres Minimum distance from house of store two hundred yards 180 metres Regulation (5) Amount of gunpowder in certain stores three hundred pounds 150 kilograms Distance within which store shall be from mine, quarry etc. two hundred yards 180 metres Minimum distance from house of store two hundred yards 180 metres Regulation (6) Minimum distance from the City of London or Westminster of store three miles 5 kilometres Minimum distance from borough or market town of store one mile 1.6 kilometres Minimum distance from Royal residence of store two miles 3 kilometres Minimum distance from Crown magazine of store two miles 3 kilometres Minimum distance from parish church of store half a mile 800 metres Order in Council (No. 1) Classifying Explosives Class 7 (proviso) Maximum quantity of coloured fire composition in deemed “manufactured firework” one pound 500 grams Order in Council (No. 3) relating to Magazines for Explosives other than Gunpowder, whether with or without Gunpowder Part II Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room (all references) 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in cartridge filling room 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Part III Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in workshop (all references) 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in workshop 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Order in Council (No. 4) relating to Small Firework Factories Part II Preamble: paragraph 3 Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in stores two tons 2,000 kilograms Article 4 Minimum distance of danger building from other buildings 25 yards 25 metres Provisos to Article 4 Reduced distance for screened and protected building 12 yards 12 metres Exception for certain magazines 25 yards 25 metres Article 6 Distance, greater than which, a factory of Division A shall be from— works of Class 1 25 yards 25 metres works of Class 2 50 yards 50 metres works of Class 3 ¼ mile 400 metres Royal residences ½ mile 800 metres Distance, greater than which, a factory of Division B shall be from— works of Class 1 50 yards 50 metres works of Class 2 100 yards 100 metres works of Class 3 ½ mile 800 metres Royal residences 1 mile 1.6 kilometres Article 7 Maximum quantities in a factory of Division A of— explosives 50 lbs. 25 kilograms coloured fires or stars 25 lbs. 12 kilograms manufactured fireworks 150 lbs. 75 kilograms Maximum quantities in a factory of Division B of— explosives 100 lbs. 50 kilograms coloured fires or stars 25 lbs. 12 kilograms manufactured fireworks 500 lbs. 250 kilograms Part III General Rule No. 6 Minimum distance between fire and danger building 25 yards 25 metres Reduced distance for screened and protected building 12 yards 12 metres General Rule No. 20 Maximum quantities in a danger building of— explosives 25 lbs. 12 kilograms manufactured fireworks 50 lbs. 25 kilograms manufactured fireworks during packing 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Order in Council (No. 6) relating to Stores Licensed for Mixed Explosives Part I Preamble: paragraph 3 Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in stores two tons 2,000 kilograms Article 3(2)(a) Distance in excess of which store of Division A shall be from— works of Class 1 75 feet 23 metres works of Class 2 85 feet 26 metres Article 3(2)(b) Distance in excess of which store of Division B shall be from— works of Class 1 75 feet 23 metres works of Class 2 130 feet 40 metres Article 3(2)(c) Distance in excess of which store of Division C shall be from— works of Class 1 146 feet 45 metres works of Class 2 292 feet 89 metres Article 3(2)(d) Distance in excess of which store of Division D shall be from— works of Class 1 230 feet 70 metres works of Class 2 460 feet 140 metres Article 3(2)(e) Distance in excess of which store of Division E shall be from— works of Class 1 352 feet 110 metres works of Class 2 704 feet 215 metres Proviso (i) to Article 3(2) Exempted workshops not regarded as protected works— maximum quantity of explosive 100 lb. 50 kilograms distance in excess of which the workshop is from store etc. 75 feet 23 metres Proviso (ii) to Article 3(2) Railways not regarded as protected works— minimum distance from store 75 feet 23 metres distance within which locomotive is from store 150 feet 46 metres Proviso (iii) to Article 3(2) Minimum thickness of earth mound screening store 3 feet 1 metres Article 3(4) Maximum quantity permitted in Division A store— (a) general explosive 150 lb. 75 kilograms (b) certain ammunition 700 lb. 320 kilograms Article 3(5) Maximum quantity permitted in Division B store— (a) general explosive 300 lb. 150 kilograms (b) certain ammunition 4,000 lb. 1,800 kilograms Article 3(6) Maximum quantity permitted in Division C store— (a) general explosive 1,000 lb. 450 kilograms (b) certain ammunition 20,000 lb. 9,000 kilograms Article 3(7) Maximum quantity permitted in Division D store— (a) general explosive 2,000 lb. 900 kilograms (b) certain ammunition 20,000 lb. 9,000 kilograms Article 3(8) Maximum quantity permitted in Division E store— (a) general explosive 4,000 lb. 1,800 kilograms (b) certain ammunition 20,000 lb. 9,000 kilograms Article 3(9) Ratio of reduction in quantity of general explosive to pound kilogram permitted additional quantity of fireworks 4 lb. 4 kilograms Article 5 Distance between store and workshop 75 feet 25 metres Part III Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room (all references) 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in cartridge filling room 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Part IV Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in workshop (all references) 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in workshop 100 lb. 50 kilograms Order in Council (No. 9) relating to the Sale of Explosive Preamble Amount above which gunpowder must be sold in a substantial receptacle 1 lb. 500 grams Article 1 Maximum amount of other explosive which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle 1 lb. 500 grams Proviso (a) to Article 1 Maximum amount of gunpowder etc. in an amount of explosive of Class 6 Division 1 which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Proviso (b) to Article 1 Maximum amount of explosive of Class 7 Division 2 which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Order in Council (No. 11) respecting Notice to be given of Accidents connected with the Conveyance of Explosives other than Gunpowder Amount of gunpowder above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases half a ton 500 kilograms Amount of other explosive above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases 200 lbs. 100 kilograms Order in Council (No. 12 to replace No. 8) relating to the Keeping of Explosive for Private Use and not for Sale Preamble Maximum amount of gunpowder for private use 30 lbs. 15 kilograms Article (2)(a) Maximum amount of gunpowder in small arms cartridges to which exception applies five pounds 2 kilograms Article (2)(c) Maximum amount of fireworks to which exception applies in certain cases five pounds 2 kilograms Article (3)(a) Maximum amount of explosive which may be specified in certificate ten pounds 5 kilograms Schedule Maximum amount of explosive specified in certificate ten pounds 5 kilograms Order in Council (No. 16) repealing and consolidating the previous Orders relating to Premises registered for Mixed Explosives Part I General Rule No. 2(5) Amount above which certain explosives must be kept in closed bag or case 1 lb. 500 grams Amount of certain explosives above which packages may not be opened on registered premises 1 lb. 500 grams Maximum amount of certain explosives which a package opened for immediate use may contain 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Part IV Maximum amount of gunpowder in cartridge filling room (all references) 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Maximum amount of small-arm nitro-compound in cartridge filling room 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Order in Council (No. 16A) varying the Order in Council (No. 16) of October 26 1896, relating to Premises registered for Mixed Explosives Preamble Maximum quantity of fireworks, Mode A 200 lbs. 100 kilograms Maximum quantity of fireworks, Mode B 50 lbs. 25 kilograms Article 1 Maximum weight for “Shop Goods” Mines, Jack-in-the-boxes and Feu de Joie 2 lbs. 1 kilogram Maximum weight for “Shop Goods” Maroons 4 ozs. 100 grams Maximum length for “Shop Goods” Chinese Crackers 4 inches 100 millimetres Article 2 Ratio of “Shop Goods” to two pounds (2 lbs.) 2 kilograms manufactured fireworks one pound (1 lb.) 1 kilogram Order in Council (No. 26) relating to Picric Acid, Picrates and Mixtures of Picric Acid with other Substances Article 2(b) Maximum quantity of picric acid not deemed to be an explosive 1 lb. 500 grams Order in Council (No. 27) (The Explosives (Di-nitro-phenol and Di-nitro-phenolate) Order 1927) Article 2(c) Maximum quantity of di-nitro-phenol to which the Order does not apply 5 lb. 2 kilograms Order in Council (No. 28) (The Sale of Explosives Order 1928) Article 3 Amount of explosive which must be exceeded in a certificate of a Chief Officer of Police ten pounds 5 kilograms Order in Council (No. 30) prohibiting the Manufacture, Importation, Keeping, Conveyance or Sale of Acetylene when an Explosive as defined by the Order First provision Pressure above which acetylene is deemed to be an explosive nine pounds to the square inch 620 millibars Proviso (1)(a) Maximum pressure of acetylene used in the production of organic compounds {three hundred pounds per square inch 21 bars {twenty-two pounds per square inch 1.5 bars Proviso (1)(b) Maximum pressure of acetylene in any other case twenty-two pounds to the square inch 1.5 bars Order of Secretary of State (No. 5), dated March 28 1898, relating to Compressed Acetylene in Admixture with Oil-Gas Maximum pressure at which acetylene in admixture with oil-gas is deemed not to be an explosive one hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch 10 bars Order of Secretary of State (No. 5A), dated September 29 1905, relating to Compressed Acetylene in Admixture with Oil-Gas Condition 4 Maximum pressure at which acetylene in admixture with oil-gas is deemed not to be an explosive one hundred and fifty pounds per square inch 10 bars Order of Secretary of State (No. 9), dated June 23 1919, relating to Compressed Acetylene contained in a Porous Substance Condition (6) Maximum pressure in a cylinder of acetylene two hundred and twenty-five pounds to the square inch 15.5 bars Related temperature sixty degrees Fahrenheit 15 degrees Celsius Proviso to condition (6) Volume of certain cylinders one cubic foot 30 litres Maximum pressure to which such cylinders may be charged one hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch 10 bars Related temperature sixty degrees Fahrenheit 15 degrees Celsius Condition (7) Volume of certain cylinders one cubic foot 30 litres Maximum pressure allowed in such cylinders two hundred and twenty-five pounds to the square inch 15.5 bars Condition (11) Volume of cylinders required to have certain markings one cubic foot 30 litres Order of Secretary of State (No. 11), dated September 20 1924), making Byelaws as to the Conveyance of Explosives on Roads and in certain special cases Byelaw 1 Amount below which explosive may be conveyed in a passenger-carrying carriage or boat 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Byelaw 2: paragraph (a) of the proviso Minimum space between case and outer package of detonators three inches 75 millimetres Byelaw 2: paragraph (b) of the proviso Minimum thickness of soft material for outer packages of electric detonators half an inch 13 millimetres Byelaw 4 Quantity of certain explosives above which byelaw applies 5 lbs. 2 kilograms Byelaw 4; regulation (k) Maximum quantity of explosive which may be carried with flammables etc. 50 lbs. 25 kilograms Byelaw 4; regulation (l) Quantity of explosive above which delay in conveyance is not allowed 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Byelaw 4: regulation (m) Quantity of explosive above which precautions must be taken against the introduction of fire-producing objects etc. 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Byelaw 4 : regulation (n) Quantity of explosive above which personnel must be acquainted with byelaws 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Byelaw 4: regulation (o) Quantity of explosive which when exceeded during conveyance in towns and villages must be attended by a competent person 100 lbs. 50 kilograms Quantity of explosive which when exceeded elsewhere must be attended by a competent person 1,000 lbs. 500 kilograms Byelaw 4: regulation (p) Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed in a carriage or boat with unprotected stowage 2,000 lbs. 1 tonne Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed on a private railway in an enclosed carriage 16,000 lbs. 8 tonnes Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed in any one boat with a close deck 50,000 lbs. 25 tonnes Maximum calibre of quick firing ammunition 3-inch 77 millimetres Limit that may be exceeded by non-communicating explosives 2,000 lbs. 1 tonne Maximum quantity of non-communicating explosives allowed in one carriage 10,000 lbs. 5 tonnes Byelaw 4: regulation (q) Minimum distance between carriages or boats containing explosive 50 yards 50 metres The Control of Explosives Order 1953 Schedule Quantity of gunpowder specified in licence and the endorsement thereon pounds kilograms Quantity of safety-fuze specified in licence and the endorsement thereon pounds kilograms The Keeping of Fireworks Order 1959 Article 3(2) Quantity of fireworks kept in Mode B above which a closed metal container shall be used one hundred pounds 50 kilograms Maximum quantity of fireworks to be kept in any one container one hundred pounds 50 kilograms Schedule Maximum quantity of “Shop Goods”—Mode A 2,000 lbs. 1,000 kilograms Maximum quantity of explosive of Class 6 Division 1—Mode A 500 lbs. 250 kilograms Maximum quantity of “Shop Goods”—Mode B 500 lbs. 250 kilograms Maximum quantity of explosive of Class 6 Division 1—Mode B 500 lbs. 250 kilograms Maximum quantity of explosives in room to which the public have access etc. 100 lbs. 50 kilograms ## Schedule 2 TABLE OF METRIC EQUIVALENTS FOR AMENDING ORDER IN COUNCIL NO. 16B AND THE PACKING OF EXPLOSIVE FOR CONVEYANCE RULES 1949 1 2 Present measurement Substituted measurement 1 lb./pound 500 grams 2 lb./two pounds 1 kilogram 5 lb. 2 kilograms 15 lb(s). 7 kilograms 20 lb. 10 kilograms 25 lb. 12 kilograms 50 lb(s). 25 kilograms 60 lbs. 30 kilograms 100 lb. 50 kilograms 120 lb. 60 kilograms 200 lb(s). 100 kilograms 500 lbs. 250 kilograms 0.5 inch 13 millimetres 3 inches 75 millimetres ## Explanatory note These Regulations amend the Explosives Act 1875 and various Orders in Council, orders and rules made thereunder or otherwise relating to explosives, by substituting measurements expressed in metric units for measurements not so expressed. The measurements thus substituted preserve the effect of the original provisions except to the extent necessary to obtain amounts expressed in convenient and suitable terms. (Regulations 2 and 3.) Order of Secretary of State No. 11 is amended so as to provide for the approval by the Health and Safety Executive (rather than the Secretary of State as previously) of conditions for the conveyance of explosive in certain carriages and boats and so as to increase the maximum amount of explosive that may be conveyed in an enclosed carriage, otherwise than on a private railway, from 8,000 lbs. to 5 tonnes. (Regulation 4.) Article 2 of the Ammonium Nitrate Mixtures Exemption Order 1967, relating to a test for prescribed explosives, is modified so that imperial units are omitted and the metric equivalents are expressed in more convenient terms. (Regulation 5.) Regulation 6 provides that premises or plant in existence or under construction immediately before the coming into operation of these Regulations which complied with the then existing statutory requirements shall be deemed to comply with such statutory requirements as amended by these Regulations. The Explosives (Conveyance) (Private Railways) Byelaws 1960 are revoked by Regulation 7. --- Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1984/510 (the official version) Page: https://openlegislation.uk/explosives-act-1875-etc-metrication-and-miscellaneous-amendment-regulations-1984 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.