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| Resource Library > Ranges and Munitions > Munitions > Explosive Safety Site Planning |
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| Ranges and Munitions/Explosive Safety Site Planning |
Purpose
This pamphlet is intended to promote increased awareness on the explosives safety site planning process for those individuals in the Base Civil Engineer organization whose job it is to collaborate with other base agencies in the development of explosives site plans, waivers and exemptions. This pamphlet provides a brief summary of the following:
The Directives
AFMAN 91-201, Explosives Safety Standards, is the Air Force document that provides guidance on explosives safety requirements to include preparing site plans and waiver and exemption requests. The manual can be accessed over the Internet from the following address:
Air Force Publications - http://www.e-publishing.af.mil
AFI 32-7062, Comprehensive Planning, Chapter 3.1.1 contains supplemental guidance on CE roles and responsibilities regarding explosives safety site planning. This document is also available through the above internet address.
The Process
The explosives safety site planning process usually generates one of three products;
- Explosives Safety Site Plan
- Waiver Request
- Exemption Request
The latter two products come about when the Quantity Distance (QD) criteria in AFMAN 91-201 cannot be met for a proposed explosives site planning action. Remember, waivers and exemptions must be based on strategic and compelling reasons. Chapter 5 provides more details on waiver and exemption processes.
If the proposed action involves new construction or facility modifications, the CE typically assists in preparing supporting documentation (maps, facility identification, etc.). Do Not expend construction funds on any project affected by explosives safety until the site plan has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate Air Force and DoD safety offices. Depending on the complexity of the site plan or exemption request, getting approval may take upwards of 3 months or more. Chapter 4 provides details on preparing an explosives safety site plan and the coordination and approval protocols.
The Players
There are three primary players involved in explosives safety site planning:
- Safety
- Munitions
- Civil Engineering
Safety
At most installations, the Weapons Safety Manager (WSM) has the lead in preparing and developing explosives site plans, waivers and exemptions. The following briefly describes the Weapons Safety Manager's responsibilities.
- Identifies the need for an explosives safety site plan
- Completes the required data forms
- Compiles all supporting documentation
- Prepares the forwarding letter
- Submits the package to the next level
- Maintains all requests/approval records
- Conducts periodic field inspections
Munitions:
The Munitions folks are the users; and as such, they typically generate the requirement. Their roles and responsibilities are:
- Look for ways to maximize existing storage capacities
- Define munitions facility requirements - Air Force Munitions Facilities Standards Guide - PDF Vol. 1 (4.9 MB) | Vol. 2 (965 KB)
- Provide information for the data forms
- Maintain inventory of stored munitions
- Assist the Safety Office in preparing explosives site plan packages
- Comply with site plan approval stipulations
Civil Engineering:
The base community planner is the person who typically assists the WSM in preparing explosives safety site plans and waivers and exemption requestss. Civil Engineering has the following responsibilities with respect to the installation's safety program:
- Prepares the graphic information (maps) for explosives site plan submittals
- Provides information on facilities within QD clear zones
- Ensures map information is accurate, particularly the location of facilities and distances between facilities
- Ensures QD clear zone arcs are accurately depicted on appropriate base maps
- Coordinates all proposed site plans, facility modifications and facility use changes within QD clear zones with the Safety Office.
- With the WSM, reviews the C-1 Map annually to ensure its accuracy.
- Provides information as needed to support explosives safety site plan development
Think Improved Planning for Safety
(for the CE explosives safety POC)
- Establish a working relationship with the safety office; meet periodically on issues of mutual concern. Ask about any changes in criteria that might affect facility use or construction. Make it a point to introduce yourself to the new WSM.
- Review all proposed facility site plans and modifications - ensure the appropriate approval process is followed if the proposed facility impacts explosives safety.
- Make sure maps used for explosives safety site plans are accurate - field check the measurements if they are suspect.
- Electronic Explosives Safety Site Planning is on its way. If you don't have digitized base maps, make plans to get them. If you have them, make sure they are current.
- Be alert to temporary facilities or operations within QD clear zones. They could be, or become a problem and result in a violation.
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