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Practical Application of
Quantity Distance Principles
Foundational Skills for ESSP Development

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Course Summary/Abstract

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in the principles and application of Quantity Distance (QD) as an integral component of an explosives safety program to protect personnel, facilities, and surrounding communities from explosive hazards. Participants will start at the beginning by learning how to interpret and apply QD principles to real-world scenarios through lectures, diagrams, and hands-on exercises.  

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The course begins with an overview of the fundamental concepts of explosives safety, including hazard classification, determining net explosive weight, and the history and rationale behind QD standards. Learners will then explore how to calculate and/or apply QD tables, protective construction factors, and site-specific safety criteria.

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Through interactive workshops and guided exercises, students will practice analyzing QD relationships, identifying potential QD non-compliance issues, and developing mitigation strategies. Visual aids and case studies will reinforce understanding of spatial relationships and risk management techniques.

 

By the end of the course, participants will synthesize all learned concepts into the development of a comprehensive explosives safety site plan, integrating QD calculations, facility design considerations, and regulatory compliance requirements. Admittedly, application of QD principles into an ESSP is a skill developed with practice, but participants will leave more confident to be part of the conversation, ask questions, and know where and how to find necessary information.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the theory and regulatory basis of Quantity Distance principles

  • Learn when and how to apply specific QD criteria

  • Determine required QD via tables and by formula to determine minimum required distances for explosive operation exposures

  • Apply appropriate QD criteria to green field (undeveloped) and growth scenarios

  • Organize required information for explosive site plans for compliance with explosives safety standards.

  • Exposure to developing a complete explosives safety site plan incorporating QD, operational, and engineering controls.

Course Outline

Quantity Distance (QD) Principles and Application Criteria

  • What is Quantity Distance (QD)? 

  • Determining Net Explosive Weight for QD (NEWQD)

  • NEWQD for Mixed Hazard Divisions (HD)

  • QD Rules

Types of QD and Expected Effects/Consequences

  • Focus will initially be on HD 1.1

    • HD 1.1 classification is most complicated for QD evaluation

    • K-Factor definition and application for QD relationships

    • Other HDs will follow same QD principles

  • Inhabited Building Distance (IBD)

    • Blast Overpressure

    • Hazardous Fragment Distance (HFD)

    • Explosive Effects and Expected Consequences

    • Permissible Exposures

    • Diagrams for application of IBD and Tables

  • Public Traffic Route Distance (PTRD)

    • Explosive Effects and Expected Consequences 

    • Permissible Exposures

    • Sample application

  • Intraline Distance (ILD)Barricaded (BILD)

    • Explosive Effects and Expected Consequences 

    • Permissible Exposures

    • Unbarricaded (ILD)

      • Explosive Effects and Expected Consequences 

      • Permissible Exposures

    • Diagrams and Tables

  • Intermagazine Distance (IMD)

    • Aboveground and earth covered magazine (ECM)

    • Barricaded IMD

    • Explosive Effects and Expected Consequences

    • Diagrams and Tables

Facility Siting Requirements (QD Criteria for Accidental Initiations)

  • Minimum HFD

  • Barricade Design

  • Personnel Protection Requirements

    • Risk Assessment

  • Protective Construction Alternatives

  • UFC 3-340-02 Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental Explosions 

  • DDESB TP 13, 15, 16

    • Introduction of Technical Papers – Strengths and Limitations

  • Maximum Credible Event (MCE) Determination and Justification

HD 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 QD requirements

​QD Tables and QD Calculator 

  • Other QD and Site Planning Tools

Practical exercises to reenforce QD principles

QD Workshops

  • Application of QD Principles

    • Typical production scenarios found in industry

    • Expansion of production and resulting QD considerations

    • Storage scenarios

Explosive Safety Site Plan (ESSP)

  • Applying QD Principles to ESSP Facility Map(s)

  • Comprehensive ESSP Requirements

    • Pre-Award Survey for DoD Contracts

    • Maintenance of ESSP

    • Modification Process

  • PES-ES Worksheet

  • Building and Construction Plans

  • Sample ESSP

    • ESSP Template

    • Discussion – Pros and Cons

  • ESSP Submission for Review/Approval

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