HomeMy Public PortalAbout2010_07_13_O016 Amending Section 16-25 (Blasting)The Town of
~,eesburg,
~1ir~inia
PRESENTED July 13, 2010
ORDINANCE NO. 2010-0-016 ADOPTED July 13, 2010
AN ORDINANCE: AMENDING SECTION 16-25 (USE AND HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES)
OF ARTICLE II (THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) OF CHAPTER 16 (FIRE
PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA, 2009, AS AMENDED.
The Town Council of Leesburg, Virginia, ordains:
SECTION 1. That Section 16-25 (USE AND HANDLING OF EXPLOSNES) of Article II
(THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) of Chapter 16 (FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION), be and
the same is hereby amended to read as follows:
SECTION. 16-25. Use and handling of explosives.
(a) Blasting operations shall be conducted during daylight hours except when authorized at other
times by the fire marshal.
(b) Whenever blasting is to be performed, the blaster shall notify the department of public works
24 hours prior to blasting. Such notice shall include the date and scheduled time blasting will occur, and
the duration of blasting activities.
(c) Whenever blasting is to be performed within 100 feet of gas, electric, water, sanitary sewer,
storm sewer, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph or steam utilities, the blaster shall notify the appropriate
representatives of such utilities at least 48 hours in advance of blasting, specifying the location and
intended time of such blasting. Verbal notice shall be confirmed with written notice. In an emergency,
this time limit may be waived by the fire marshal.
(d) Whenever blasting is to be performed, the blaster shall notify, by written notice, no later than
15 days prior to blasting, the occupants of all structures which are located within e€:-Fl-}300 feet of the
blast site. This distance may be increased on a case by case basis if conditions warrant.; e e
•, ,
. In an emergency situation which affects the health, safe , and
welfare of the citizens of the town, this time period may be varied after approval by both the director of
e~tgineeri~g public works for the town and the fire marshal. This notification shall be done in accordance
with the "Town of Leesburg Recommended Blasting Notice to Occupants of Structures Within 300 Feet
of Blasting Site" and as amended by the town from time to time.
(e) Seismographs shall be used for all blasting events occurring within the town. Where
appropriate, seismographs shall be placed beside the closest adjacent structure. The seismographs must be
able to measure and store data on peak particle velocity, frequency (for all three directions), and air blast
intensity. All resulting records shall be retained by the blasting company for a period of no less than five
years. A direct velocity recording seismograph capable of recording the continuous wave form of the
-2-
AN ORDINANCE: AMENDING SECTION 16-25 (USE AND HANDLING OF EXPLOSIVES)
OF ARTICLE II (THE FIRE PREVENTION CODE) OF CHAPTER 16 (FIRE
PREVENTION AND PROTECTION) OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF
LEESBURG, VIRGINIA, 2009, AS AMENDED.
three mutually perpendicular components of motion, in terms of particle velocity, shall be used and shall
have the following characteristics:
(1) Each seismograph shall have a frequency response from 2 to 150 Hertz or greater and a
velocity range from 00 to 2.0 inches per second or greater and shall adhere to design criteria for portable
seismographs outlined in U.S. Bureau of Mines RI 5708, RI 6487, and RI 8506.
(2) All field seismographs shall be operated by competent people trained in their correct use and
seismograph records shall be analyzed and interpreted as may be required by the fire marshal.
(f) At a minimum, pre-blast survey notices shall be provided to occupants of structures that are
situated within 150 feet of the blasting site. This pre-blast survey notification shall be done in accordance
with the "Town of Leesburg, Recommended Pre-blast Survey Notice of Occupants of Structures within
150 feet of Blasting Site." (Ord. No. 2009-0-019, § I, 10-14-2009)
SECTION II. This Ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final
passage.
SECTION III. If any provision of this ordinance is declared invalid, the decision shall not affect
the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any remaining provisions of the ordinance.
PASSED this 13~' day of Julv, 2010.
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s e Ums ,Mayor
Town of Leesburg
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Clerk of o
P:\Ordinances\2010\0713 Amending Section 16-25 of the Town code.doc