Explosives

Baltimore City Code art. 10, subtit. 7

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-1 Definitions; classes.

§ 7-1. Definitions; classes. (a) In general. The following rules and regulations shall govern the handling of explosives in the Port of Baltimore. (b) “Explosives” defined. 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. (c) Classes of explosives. 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. (Ord. 58-1652; Ord. 53-683; Ord. 50-1322; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-2 Transportation subject to laws.

§ 7-2. Transportation subject to laws. All explosives to be transported from land by water, or from water by land, are to be subject to all of the City, state, and national laws in reference to the loading, unloading, and handling of explosives. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-3 Permits for transferring explosives to vessels.

§ 7-3. Permits for transferring explosives to vessels. (a) Permit required. A permit for transporting explosives through City streets, lanes, or alleys must be secured from the City Fire Marshal, as provided for by Baltimore City Fire Code § 105.6.14. (b) Applications. All permit applications: (1) should be filed sufficiently in advance of proposed date of shipment to permit consideration and issue of permit before explosives may be brought onto the waterfront areas; and (2) shall state: (i) the exact nature and quantity of named explosives; (ii) points of origin and destination; (iii) name of vessel and its owners or operators; (iv) date when and location where transshipment is proposed to be made; and (v) all other pertinent information. (c) Limitations. No permits shall be issued for shipments of explosives in excess of the maximum quantities specified in this subtitle, detailed herewith: (1) Class A Explosives, except as permitted under § 7-4, shall not be transshipped except at the designated anchorages, and not more than a total of 200 tons gross weight shall be permitted upon any ship or vessel in the Port of Baltimore, nor shall this total concentration be exceeded at any time through division between 2 or more ships or vessels. No vessel shall be berthed at any dock or pier when carrying Class A explosives, nor shall it enter the Port beyond the designated anchorages. (2) Class B and C Explosives, except smokeless powder, when permitted under Interstate Commerce Commission and U. S. Coast Guard regulations, and with approval of the Harbor Engineer, may be transshipped at dock side without quantity limitations. (3) Smokeless powder may be loaded or unloaded in an amount not to exceed 2,500 pounds while vessel is at dock side. (d) Permits required for all classes. Permits shall be obtained from the Harbor Engineer for all classes of explosives. (Ord. 15-435; Ord. 53-683; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-4 Class A explosives 100 pounds or less.

§ 7-4. Class A explosives 100 pounds or less. (a) Transfer permitted. 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. (b) Limitations. 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. (Ord. 58-1652; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-5 Inspection for permit.

§ 7-5. Inspection for permit. (a) Inspection required. 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. (b) Engineer may appoint inspectors. 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. (Ord 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-6 Vessels within Quarantine or Explosive Anchorage.

§ 7-6. Vessels within Quarantine or Explosive Anchorage. The vessel on which explosives are to be loaded, and which is not covered by §§ 7-1 and 7-3 shall be well within the designated Quarantine or Explosive Anchorage and shall not leave the permitted anchorage except for the purpose of leaving Port. (Ord. 50-1322; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-7 Work to be done before loading.

§ 7-7. Work to be done before loading. (a) In general. 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. (b) Decks, gangways, holds. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-8 Red flags and lights.

§ 7-8. Red flags and lights. The vessel into which explosives have been loaded, or are being loaded, shall conspicuously display a red flag from the forepeak, of the size prescribed by the Bureau of Navigation (16 sq. ft.), and at night a red light shall be conspicuously displayed. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-9 Artificial lights.

§ 7-9. Artificial lights. No artificial light shall be permitted in the hold of the vessel, except electric flash lights or electric lanterns or regular electric installation of the vessel. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-10 Notification of cargo.

§ 7-10. Notification of cargo. Before vessels loaded with explosives of either Class A, B, or C may be allowed to enter or unload in the Port of Baltimore, the Fire Marshal must be notified of the nature and quantity of explosives on board and the time when and place where it is proposed to land these explosives. (Ord.; Ord. 53-683; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-11 Inspection during operations.

§ 7-11. Inspection during operations. (a) Inspection required. 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. (b) Costs. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-12 Explosives with inflammable articles.

§ 7-12. Explosives with inflammable articles. Explosives shall not be loaded or carried on any vessels carrying inflammable liquids, inflammable solids, oxidizing materials, mineral acids, as defined in Federal regulations for transportation of these explosives, or articles liable to spontaneous ignition, or to give off inflammable gases, unless the explosive be stored in separate rooms or otherwise so separated as to effectually prevent danger to the explosive from any of these articles, or from the vapor thereof. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-13 Explosives with blasting caps.

§ 7-13. Explosives with blasting caps. Where blasting caps are loaded on the same vessel with high explosives, they must be put in a different compartment, the distance in a straight line from the compartment containing the blasting caps to the explosives to be not less than 25 feet whenever the quantity of the explosives exceeds 1,000 pounds, and not less than 15 feet in any case. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-14 Cars of explosives — on land.

§ 7-14. Cars of explosives — on land. Cars of explosives which are to be transshipped on to a vessel shall not be brought into the City limits except when they can be loaded directly on to car floats, and immediately thereafter conveyed to the vessel at anchorage. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-15 Cars of explosives — conveyance to vessel.

§ 7-15. Cars of explosives — conveyance to vessel. Cars containing explosives to be transshipped by water shall be conveyed on car floats to the vessel, on which explosives are to be loaded, between sunrise and sunset and when there is no dense fog. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-16 Cars of explosives — car floats or barges.

§ 7-16. Cars of explosives — car floats or barges. (a) Immediate conveyance. 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. (b) If not unloaded by sundown. (1) If, for any unexpected reason, it is seen to be impossible to transfer all of the explosives on the car float into the vessel before sundown, the car float or barge shall be withdrawn from the vessel to a safe anchorage and carefully made fast. (2) If the car float is not properly equipped with anchors, hawsers, etc., and cannot be safely anchored, a tug shall remain in attendance and a watchman be kept on the car float or barge until the following morning or until unloading is resumed. (c) Red flags and lights. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-17 Cars of explosives — seals to be unbroken.

§ 7-17. Cars of explosives — seals to be unbroken. Car seals on carload shipments of explosives for transshipment via float or barge in Baltimore must not be broken, except as authorized by the federal regulations, until car float is alongside of vessel on which explosives are to be loaded, and only then when it is necessary to begin unloading the car. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-18 Tug boats.

§ 7-18. Tug boats. Tug boats towing vessels, floats, or barges aboard of which there are explosives will display at all times a red flag of at least 16 square feet surface at the masthead. Tug boats without masts will display the flag at least 10 feet above the upper deck. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-19 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-20 Tools.

§ 7-20. Tools. (a) Metal tools prohibited. (1) No metal bale hooks or other metal tools shall be used in loading, unloading, or handling explosives. (2) Men engaged in loading, unloading, or handling explosives must not carry metal bale hooks or other metal tools. (b) Wooden tools required. In loosening bracing in cars of explosives, only a wooden wedge and wooden mall or mallet may be used. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-21 Handling containers.

§ 7-21. Handling containers. Containers of either Class A, B, or C explosives shall not be thrown, dropped, or dragged along the decks of vessels, floors of cars, or over each other. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-22 Broken packages.

§ 7-22. Broken packages. (a) Required protection. (1) Broken or seriously damaged packages of explosives may be recoopered when it is practicable and not dangerous. (2) A broken box of dynamite that cannot be recoopered should be reinforced by stout wrapping paper and twine, placed in another strong box, and surrounded by dry, fine sawdust, or dry and clean cotton waste, or elastic wads made from dry newspaper. (3) A ruptured can or keg should be inclosed in a grain bag of good quality and boxed or crated. (b) Disposition. (1) Injured packages thus protected and properly marked may be forwarded. (2) Packages too seriously damaged to be recoopered should not be forwarded, but set aside and the shipper notified to make disposition of them. (c) Loose particles. In removing broken cases or kegs of explosives from car or vessel, care must be taken to remove any particles of loose explosives. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-23 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-24 Fires.

§ 7-24. Fires. (a) Engine room fires. Engine room fires must be carefully banked during the time of receiving or delivering explosives. (b) Others. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-25 Matches, firearms, etc.

§ 7-25. Matches, firearms, etc. Barge and vessel crews and persons engaged in loading, unloading, or handling explosives must not have or carry matches, firearms, or cartridges on their persons. (Ord. 76-052; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-26 Smoking.

§ 7-26. Smoking. Smoking is prohibited in or on cars containing explosives, car floats having explosives aboard, or in the vicinity of explosives aboard vessels, cars, or barges. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-27 Shoes.

§ 7-27. Shoes. Persons engaged in loading or unloading explosives shall not wear boots or shoes with iron nails, or shod or strengthened with iron, unless such boots or shoes are covered with leather, felt, or some other such material. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-28 Persons under the influence.

§ 7-28. Persons under the influence. No person under the influence of liquor shall be allowed on any vessel, barge, or scow on which explosives are being loaded or from which unloaded, nor will they be permitted to approach any vessel which is being loaded or unloaded. (Ord. 76-052; Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-29 Transferring explosives — in general.

§ 7-29. Transferring explosives — in general. (a) Unto vessel — by hand or by chute and mattress. In transferring explosives from cars to vessel or one vessel to another, explosives must be handled by hand or regulation chute and mattress. (b) Unto vessel — hoist and crate. (1) If difference in elevation between vessel and car, or condition of weather, renders it impossible to transfer or load by hand or chute, mechanical hoists and a special crate or basket may be used and the explosives carefully lifted in this crate or basket from car float or deck of one vessel and carefully lowered on the mattress on the deck of the other. (2) Explosives transferred in this manner must not be handled roughly. They should be hoisted and lowered carefully and only deposited or lowered on a mattress. (c) Into hold. 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. (d) Manner of handling. (1) Careful men must be selected to handle explosives. (2) Packages of explosives must not be thrown, dropped, rolled, dragged, or slid over each other or over the decks of boats or floors of cars. (3) Dynamite boxes should be loaded with top side up. Powder kegs should be loaded with seams up. (4) All explosives must be handled carefully. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-30 Transferring explosives — inclined chutes.

§ 7-30. Transferring explosives — inclined chutes. (a) Chute construction. (1) When an inclined chute is employed, such chute shall be constructed of 1-inch planed boards with side guards, 4 inches high, extending 3 inches above top face of bottom of chute, and throughout its length fastened with brass screws. (2) “D” shaped strips or runners not more than 6 inches apart and running lengthwise of the chute must be fastened to the upper surface of the bottom part by means of glue and wooden pegs extending through the bottom part and runners. (b) Care of chute. Chutes must be occasionally wiped down with waste moistened with machine oil, when dynamite packages are being handled. (c) Mattress required. 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. (d) Chute incline. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-31 Explosives to be loaded last.

§ 7-31. Explosives to be loaded last. No explosives will be allowed to be placed aboard a vessel until the rest of the cargo has been placed aboard and the vessel trimmed. Immediately after the completion of the loading of explosives, the vessel shall weigh anchor and leave port, weather conditions permitting. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, §§ 7-32 to 7-40 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-41 Compliance with regulations.

§ 7-41. Compliance with regulations. The Chief Stevedore or person in charge of stevedores must fully understand and see that all persons under his supervision comply with these rules and regulations. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-42 Enforcement.

§ 7-42. Enforcement. (a) Removing workers. 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. (b) Ordering work to stop. 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. (Ord. 13-336.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 10, § 7-43 Penalties; civil liability.

§ 7-43. Penalties; civil liability. (a) Penalties. 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. (b) Civil liability. 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. (Ord. 58-1652; Ord. 13-336.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/10/7Fetched: 10/25/2026