Blaster's Exam Prep | 2026 Update Questions with
complete solutions.
How many business days should the blaster notify the department of commerce and
insurance and the utility company when conducting blasting operations within how many
ft of any pipeline?
3 Days, 100'
Should blasting operations be conducted within close proximity of any public highway.
No, unless reasonable precautionary measures are taken to safeguard the public
When is it okay to conduct blasting operations at the immediate location of any dwelling
house, public building, school, church, commercial or institutional building that would
result in ground vibrations having a particle velocity exceeding the limits?
Written consent from property owners
Ways to control the throw of fragments from a blast?
loading, delaying, initiation, and confinement of each blast with mats or other methods
When should the blaster provide notice to all structures in the area?
Where the standard table of distance is exceeded, that is, a scaled distance that is less than 50
Anyone blasting in the vicinity of a pipeline must:
- Use a drilling pattern and timing that will provide the greatest relief possible in the direction
away from the pipeline
,- An explosive that is designed to limit propagation between holes
- The blast depth should be limited to the elevation of the top of the pipeline, plus one half of the
distance from the nearest blast hole to the pipeline
- When excavating near pipelines should be one half the horizontal distance from the nearest
blast hole to the pipeline
- Diameter of the blast hole shall not exceed three inches & only one hole fired per delay
- Blasts shouldn't exceed 2"/sec peak particle velocity as measured by a seismograph at a liquid
petroleum pipeline, or 4"/sec for all other pipelines
- All above is dependent upon if a free face has been established to the finished depth of the
trench
- When blasting near underground utility lines he blaster shall give notice to the utility company
at least 72 hours in advance of the blasting operation.
What is the maximum airblast (in decibles) @ any dwelling that is not leased by the person
engaged in the operation or for property that has not been approved by a written waiver
140 dB
What should a blaster do with any dwelling within 300 ft of a blast hole?
, - offer the owner or occupant a pre blast survey 72 hours in advance
- complete documentation of surveys, including all photographs, may be requested from the
blasting firm by each owner or occupant in writing
What are the minimum requirements for being a registered blaster?
1. Previous practical experience, obtained under the supervision of a registered blaster
2. A Tennessee handler's or blaster's registration, or a blaster's license issued by another state or
jurisdiction at least within 1 year prior for licensure in the state
3. Proof of having passed an examination prescribed by the department.
What poundage of explosives can someone with a limited blaster license?
5 lbs
What is the minimum age to be a handler? Blaster?
18. 21
How long do registrations need to be renewed before they expire?
3 years
How long should records be retained for (shot reports (blast records))? What information
needs to be included in accounting for materials for compliance by BATF?
complete solutions.
How many business days should the blaster notify the department of commerce and
insurance and the utility company when conducting blasting operations within how many
ft of any pipeline?
3 Days, 100'
Should blasting operations be conducted within close proximity of any public highway.
No, unless reasonable precautionary measures are taken to safeguard the public
When is it okay to conduct blasting operations at the immediate location of any dwelling
house, public building, school, church, commercial or institutional building that would
result in ground vibrations having a particle velocity exceeding the limits?
Written consent from property owners
Ways to control the throw of fragments from a blast?
loading, delaying, initiation, and confinement of each blast with mats or other methods
When should the blaster provide notice to all structures in the area?
Where the standard table of distance is exceeded, that is, a scaled distance that is less than 50
Anyone blasting in the vicinity of a pipeline must:
- Use a drilling pattern and timing that will provide the greatest relief possible in the direction
away from the pipeline
,- An explosive that is designed to limit propagation between holes
- The blast depth should be limited to the elevation of the top of the pipeline, plus one half of the
distance from the nearest blast hole to the pipeline
- When excavating near pipelines should be one half the horizontal distance from the nearest
blast hole to the pipeline
- Diameter of the blast hole shall not exceed three inches & only one hole fired per delay
- Blasts shouldn't exceed 2"/sec peak particle velocity as measured by a seismograph at a liquid
petroleum pipeline, or 4"/sec for all other pipelines
- All above is dependent upon if a free face has been established to the finished depth of the
trench
- When blasting near underground utility lines he blaster shall give notice to the utility company
at least 72 hours in advance of the blasting operation.
What is the maximum airblast (in decibles) @ any dwelling that is not leased by the person
engaged in the operation or for property that has not been approved by a written waiver
140 dB
What should a blaster do with any dwelling within 300 ft of a blast hole?
, - offer the owner or occupant a pre blast survey 72 hours in advance
- complete documentation of surveys, including all photographs, may be requested from the
blasting firm by each owner or occupant in writing
What are the minimum requirements for being a registered blaster?
1. Previous practical experience, obtained under the supervision of a registered blaster
2. A Tennessee handler's or blaster's registration, or a blaster's license issued by another state or
jurisdiction at least within 1 year prior for licensure in the state
3. Proof of having passed an examination prescribed by the department.
What poundage of explosives can someone with a limited blaster license?
5 lbs
What is the minimum age to be a handler? Blaster?
18. 21
How long do registrations need to be renewed before they expire?
3 years
How long should records be retained for (shot reports (blast records))? What information
needs to be included in accounting for materials for compliance by BATF?
