Subtitle 7 – Explosives

The following rules and regulations shall govern the handling of explosives in the Port of Baltimore.

The word “explosives” as used in this subtitle shall mean any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, namely, with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, unless such compound, mixture, or device is otherwise specifically designated as not being an explosive.

Classes of explosives designated in this subtitle shall be as defined in the Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations and the U. S. Coast Guard Rules for Explosives and Other Dangerous Articles on Board Vessels, and amendments thereto, that may be made from time to time.

A permit for transporting explosives through City streets, lanes, or alleys must be secured from the City Fire Marshal, as provided for by <cite data-path="|building-codes|VIII|105.6.14">Baltimore City Fire Code § 105.6.14</cite>.

All permit applications:

No permits shall be issued for shipments of explosives in excess of the maximum quantities specified in this subtitle, detailed herewith:

Permits shall be obtained from the Harbor Engineer for all classes of explosives.

Class A Explosives (excluding blasting caps) not exceeding 100 pounds net weight may be transferred to or from a ship or vessel within the boundary lines of Baltimore City after written application to, and the issuance by, the Director of Port Operations of the Maryland Port Authority for a permit to do so.

Provided that such permit shall be issued only when it appears to the aforesaid Director of Port Operations that necessity requires the issuance of such permit, and in all such cases the said Director of Port Operations shall designate the location or the limits within which the transfer of such explosives may be made.

An inspector of the Harbor Engineer will first inspect the vessel, to see that it is in condition to receive explosives, before the Harbor Engineer shall issue a permit.

The Harbor Engineer is hereby authorized to appoint or designate, from time to time, some suitable person as such inspector and to fix a reasonable charge for such inspection.

All the necessary work in construction of floors, partitions, etc., or for the removal of any other combustible from that part of the hold in which explosives are to be stored, shall be completed before loading of the explosives is commenced.

All decks, gangways, and holds over which explosives must be passed in loading, must be freed from all loose metal or tools and should be carefully swept before loading is commenced and after loading has ceased.

After all proper permits have been secured, an inspector appointed by the Harbor Engineer shall be present on board the ship during the entire time when explosives are being loaded into, or are unloaded from the ship, and he shall be especially charged with the supervision of such loading and unloading.

The cost of such inspection to be borne by the agents, owners, consignees, or stevedores. A sufficient sum to cover such cost shall be deposited with the Harbor Engineer at the time of obtaining the permit.

Barges or floats on which there are cars carrying explosives shall be immediately conveyed to the vessel into which the explosives are to be loaded, and care must be taken that only as many cars as can ordinarily be transferred to the vessel during that day shall be placed on the car float or barge.

Car floats or barges having aboard cars containing explosives shall fly at each end of the float, not less than 15 feet above the deck, a red flag of not less than 20 square feet surface. Red lights shall be substituted for the flags if the barge or car float remains in the anchorage after sundown.

In loosening bracing in cars of explosives, only a wooden wedge and wooden mall or mallet may be used.

In removing broken cases or kegs of explosives from car or vessel, care must be taken to remove any particles of loose explosives.

Engine room fires must be carefully banked during the time of receiving or delivering explosives.

No unnecessary fires shall be permitted on vessels while receiving or delivering explosives, and those fires which are deemed necessary must be left in constant charge of some one individual during the entire period in which the explosives are being handled.

In transferring explosives from cars to vessel or one vessel to another, explosives must be handled by hand or regulation chute and mattress.

Explosives must be transferred from a crate or basket into hold of boat by hand or regulation chute and mattress. The transfer of explosives by crate or basket into the hold of a vessel is prohibited.

Chutes must be occasionally wiped down with waste moistened with machine oil, when dynamite packages are being handled.

A stuffed mattress 4 feet wide by 6 feet long and not less than 4 inches thick, or a heavy jute or hemp mat of like dimensions must be placed under the discharging end of the chute.

The incline of the chute should be such that the velocity of the packages sliding will not be great enough to cause violent shock when coming in contact with other packages or when reaching bottom of slide, or men must be stationed alongside the chutes to retard the velocity of the packages and prevent violent shocks when packages come in contact with each other or reach bottom of chute.

The inspector appointed by the City shall have authority to remove any man or men disobeying or violating any of these rules or regulations, or whose condition of work in handling explosives is a menace to safety.

The City Inspector shall have authority to stop the loading or unloading of the vessel if such loading or unloading is a menace to public safety.

Any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity who commits a violation of any of the provisions of this subtitle shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof in any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500, or sentenced to not more than 12 months in jail, or both, for each offense.

Nothing contained in this subtitle shall be taken or construed to impose any liability upon the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore or the Maryland Port Authority, or any of their agents or employees, for damages for loss of life or injuries to any person or property which may occur by reason of any explosion or fire resulting therefrom in the Patapsco River or any of its tributaries, or upon any wharf or landing connected therewith whether said explosion or fire shall occur by reason of the failure to observe any or all of the requirements of this subtitle, or from whatever cause the same may occur; nor shall any such liability be imposed upon the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore or the Maryland Port Authority, or their agents or employees, by reason of anything that may be done or omitted to be done by any legal entity under or in pursuance of this subtitle or by reason of any failure on the part of the Harbor Engineer or the Director of Port Operations of the Maryland Port Authority or any inspector appointed pursuant to the provisions of this subtitle to enforce the rules and regulations prescribed in this subtitle.