Within the framework of the elaboration of a pyrotechnic safety study for the exploitation of a pyrotechnic site, the definition of the effect zones and the study of the vulnerability of the surrounding buildings constitute essential key points for which our teams can accompany you.
In 30 years of existence, THIOT INGENIERIE has acquired a leading position in the understanding of the behavior of structures subjected to accidental shocks. Our company has also been studying explosion and detonation phenomena for 30 years, taking into account the fluid/structure interactions, in order to dimension their effects. This solid experience allows us to provide our clients with the most relevant expertise in both detonation and the behaviour of structures subjected to this type of threat.
Prevention of pyrotechnic risk
Any pyrotechnic activity falling within the scope of article R 4462-1 of the French Labour Code must be the subject of a pyrotechnic safety study, submitted to the DIRRECTE for approval after receiving the opinion of the IPE (Inspection des Poudres et Explosifs). The objective of this pyrotechnic safety study is to ensure the safety of workers and installations by anticipating the effects of an unexpected explosion.
The IPE must identify in an exhaustive way all the risks of accidental explosion, taking into account the possibility of domino effects. The whole pyrotechnic installation must be analyzed, the risks anticipated and their consequences on the workers evaluated. The objective of a pyrotechnic safety study is to demonstrate that all the necessary means of prevention and protection have been implemented (work methods, PPE, etc.) and that the risks are therefore sufficiently limited to ensure regulatory compliance.
To dimension the effects of an explosion, many parameters will have to be taken into account such as the type of explosive substances involved, the behaviour of surrounding installations…
What is considered as pyrotechnic material ?
The term pyrotechnics covers a vast field of activities ranging from detonating explosives to propellants and powders for weapons*.
- Ammunition or warheads for missiles
- Propellants for missiles
- Entertainment devices
- Airbag gas generators
- Space pyromechanism…
*Definition of the “Guide de Bonnes Pratiques en Pyrotechnie” of the SFEPA (Syndicat des Fabricants d’Explosifs et de Produits Accessoires)
The possibilities of pyrotechnic events
First of all, the pyrotechnic safety study must detect all situations where a pyrotechnic accident could occur, such as :
- During dormant storage (occurrence of an explosion in a depot or any other storage place)
- During operations to remove an explosive charge (for example when handling pyrotechnic material to remove it from its storage place)
- During various loading/unloading operations
- During transfer operations (such as transport between different pyrotechnic installations)
- During priming operations
The different pyrotechnic activities
- manufacture of explosive products or devices
- study or experimentation of explosive substances or objects
- testing of explosive substances or objects
- packaging of explosive substances or objects
- conservation of explosive substances or objects
- destruction of explosive substances or objects
Determination of the zones of effects
The goal is to determine the danger zones. Any pyrotechnic event will cause effect zones, also called “danger zones”, classified according to their level of severity in terms of lesions on the human body and material damage.
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- Z1: human and material damage: extremely serious, with fatal injuries
- Z2: very serious consequences for humans, significant material damage
- Z3: severe human and material damage
- Z4 : significant human consequences, slight material damage
- Z5 : Indirect effects by breaking of glass, destruction of glass
Depending on the nature of the pyrotechnic substance, these effects can be of three types: overpressure effects (shock wave), projection effects or thermal effects.
Need a trusted partner for the development of your pyrotechnic safety study?
THIOT INGENIERIE has developed the ability to understand and model the effects of explosions and detonations. We are at your side to dimension blast effect zones and to simulate the behaviour of your installations, whatever their nature, their complexity and the distances involved. Our watchword: consider fluid/structure interactions in our calculations to guarantee numerical simulation results that are as close as possible to reality. We also assist you in determining the zones of projection effects by studying the explosive/structure interactions.
