TN Blasting Test Study Guide Exam with
questions and verified answers with rationale
updated 2026
Section 1: Tennessee Blasting Regulations & Licensing
Question 1
Under the Tennessee Blasting Standards Act, which licensing classification is authorized to place and
detonate high-explosive charges in a mining operation?
A) Explosives Handler
B) Limited Blaster
C) Blaster
D) Construction Contractor
Rationale: A "Blaster" is the only classification permitted to place and detonate high-explosive
charges. Limited Blasters may only perform limited duties, and Explosives Handlers may only receive,
store, and transport explosives-3.
Question 2
The required notice period to the State Fire Marshal before conducting a blast in Tennessee is:
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 96 hours
Rationale: Tennessee law mandates a minimum 72-hour written notice to the State Fire Marshal and
affected utilities before a blast-3.
Question 3
The legal "pre-blast survey" distance that must be inspected for structures in Tennessee is:
A) 100 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 300 feet
D) 500 feet
Rationale: Tennessee regulations require a survey of any structure within 300 feet of the proposed
blast site to assess potential impact-3-6.
Question 4
,Which entity is responsible for regulating blasting operations in Tennessee?
A) Department of Natural Resources
B) Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
C) Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Fire Prevention
D) Tennessee Department of Transportation
Rationale: Blasting operations in Tennessee are regulated by the Department of Commerce and
Insurance, specifically the Division of Fire Prevention-5.
Question 5
A violation of the Tennessee Blasting Standards Act can result in which of the following penalties?
A) A written warning only
B) Suspension or revocation of the blaster's license and fines
C) Mandatory community service without license impact
D) No penalty if the blast is successful
Rationale: The State Fire Marshal can suspend or revoke a license and impose fines for violations of
the Act-3.
Question 6
What is the maximum allowable peak particle velocity for blasts near liquid petroleum pipelines as
measured by a seismograph?
A) 1 inch/second
B) 2 inches/second
C) 3 inches/second
D) 4 inches/second
Rationale: Blasts near liquid petroleum pipelines must not exceed 2 inches/second peak particle
velocity. For all other pipelines, the limit is 4 inches/second-8.
Question 7
When conducting blasting operations within how many feet of any pipeline must the blaster notify
the utility company?
A) 50 feet
B) 100 feet
C) 200 feet
D) 300 feet
Rationale: Tennessee requires notification to the utility company when blasting within 100 feet of
any pipeline, with notice given at least 72 hours in advance-8.
,Question 8
What is the maximum airblast limit in decibels at any dwelling not leased by the operation?
A) 120 dB
B) 130 dB
C) 140 dB
D) 150 dB
Rationale: The 140 dB airblast limit protects individuals in nearby dwellings from potential hearing
damage and disturbance-5.
Question 9
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a blaster's permit in Tennessee?
A) 18 years old
B) 20 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Rationale: Individuals must be at least 21 years old to apply for a blaster's permit in Tennessee-5.
Question 10
Which of the following items must be included in a Tennessee blast shot report?
A) Operator's personal phone number only
B) Weather conditions at the time of blast
C) Names of nearby residents
D) Estimated cost of explosives
Rationale: Shot reports must document weather conditions, weight of explosives, delay patterns,
and other technical data. Personal phone numbers or resident names are not required-3.
Section 2: Explosives Classifications & Properties
Question 11
Which class of explosives is defined as "high explosives" in Tennessee law?
A) Class A
B) Class B
C) Class C/1.5
D) Class D
Rationale: Class A explosives are high explosives (e.g., dynamite, ANFO) with detonation velocities
greater than 2,000 m/s-3.
, Question 12
The velocity of detonation (VOD) of a typical ANFO charge is approximately:
A) 500 m/s
B) 1,200 m/s
C) 3,000 m/s
D) 5,500 m/s
Rationale: ANFO detonates at about 1,200 m/s, classifying it as a low-sensitivity high explosive-3.
Question 13
Cap-sensitive explosives are distinguished from non-cap-sensitive explosives by:
A) Their ability to be detonated by a blasting cap alone
B) Their requirement for a detonating cord
C) Their need for a shock-tube initiation system
D) Their inability to be stored in magazines
Rationale: Cap-sensitive explosives can be initiated directly by a standard blasting cap, whereas non-
cap-sensitive materials require a booster or detonating cord-3.
Question 14
The optimal fuel-oil ratio for ANFO to achieve maximum energy output is:
A) 1:1
B) 4:1
C) 6:1
D) 8:1
Rationale: A 6:1 ratio (oil to ammonium nitrate) provides the best balance of energy and stability for
ANFO-3.
Question 15
When selecting a booster for a non-cap-sensitive explosive, the most common material used is:
A) Nitroglycerin
B) Emulsion explosive
C) Detasheet (PETN)
D) Black powder
Rationale: Detasheet (PETN) is a high-sensitivity booster that reliably transmits the detonation to
non-cap-sensitive explosives-3.
Question 16
questions and verified answers with rationale
updated 2026
Section 1: Tennessee Blasting Regulations & Licensing
Question 1
Under the Tennessee Blasting Standards Act, which licensing classification is authorized to place and
detonate high-explosive charges in a mining operation?
A) Explosives Handler
B) Limited Blaster
C) Blaster
D) Construction Contractor
Rationale: A "Blaster" is the only classification permitted to place and detonate high-explosive
charges. Limited Blasters may only perform limited duties, and Explosives Handlers may only receive,
store, and transport explosives-3.
Question 2
The required notice period to the State Fire Marshal before conducting a blast in Tennessee is:
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 96 hours
Rationale: Tennessee law mandates a minimum 72-hour written notice to the State Fire Marshal and
affected utilities before a blast-3.
Question 3
The legal "pre-blast survey" distance that must be inspected for structures in Tennessee is:
A) 100 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 300 feet
D) 500 feet
Rationale: Tennessee regulations require a survey of any structure within 300 feet of the proposed
blast site to assess potential impact-3-6.
Question 4
,Which entity is responsible for regulating blasting operations in Tennessee?
A) Department of Natural Resources
B) Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
C) Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Fire Prevention
D) Tennessee Department of Transportation
Rationale: Blasting operations in Tennessee are regulated by the Department of Commerce and
Insurance, specifically the Division of Fire Prevention-5.
Question 5
A violation of the Tennessee Blasting Standards Act can result in which of the following penalties?
A) A written warning only
B) Suspension or revocation of the blaster's license and fines
C) Mandatory community service without license impact
D) No penalty if the blast is successful
Rationale: The State Fire Marshal can suspend or revoke a license and impose fines for violations of
the Act-3.
Question 6
What is the maximum allowable peak particle velocity for blasts near liquid petroleum pipelines as
measured by a seismograph?
A) 1 inch/second
B) 2 inches/second
C) 3 inches/second
D) 4 inches/second
Rationale: Blasts near liquid petroleum pipelines must not exceed 2 inches/second peak particle
velocity. For all other pipelines, the limit is 4 inches/second-8.
Question 7
When conducting blasting operations within how many feet of any pipeline must the blaster notify
the utility company?
A) 50 feet
B) 100 feet
C) 200 feet
D) 300 feet
Rationale: Tennessee requires notification to the utility company when blasting within 100 feet of
any pipeline, with notice given at least 72 hours in advance-8.
,Question 8
What is the maximum airblast limit in decibels at any dwelling not leased by the operation?
A) 120 dB
B) 130 dB
C) 140 dB
D) 150 dB
Rationale: The 140 dB airblast limit protects individuals in nearby dwellings from potential hearing
damage and disturbance-5.
Question 9
What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a blaster's permit in Tennessee?
A) 18 years old
B) 20 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Rationale: Individuals must be at least 21 years old to apply for a blaster's permit in Tennessee-5.
Question 10
Which of the following items must be included in a Tennessee blast shot report?
A) Operator's personal phone number only
B) Weather conditions at the time of blast
C) Names of nearby residents
D) Estimated cost of explosives
Rationale: Shot reports must document weather conditions, weight of explosives, delay patterns,
and other technical data. Personal phone numbers or resident names are not required-3.
Section 2: Explosives Classifications & Properties
Question 11
Which class of explosives is defined as "high explosives" in Tennessee law?
A) Class A
B) Class B
C) Class C/1.5
D) Class D
Rationale: Class A explosives are high explosives (e.g., dynamite, ANFO) with detonation velocities
greater than 2,000 m/s-3.
, Question 12
The velocity of detonation (VOD) of a typical ANFO charge is approximately:
A) 500 m/s
B) 1,200 m/s
C) 3,000 m/s
D) 5,500 m/s
Rationale: ANFO detonates at about 1,200 m/s, classifying it as a low-sensitivity high explosive-3.
Question 13
Cap-sensitive explosives are distinguished from non-cap-sensitive explosives by:
A) Their ability to be detonated by a blasting cap alone
B) Their requirement for a detonating cord
C) Their need for a shock-tube initiation system
D) Their inability to be stored in magazines
Rationale: Cap-sensitive explosives can be initiated directly by a standard blasting cap, whereas non-
cap-sensitive materials require a booster or detonating cord-3.
Question 14
The optimal fuel-oil ratio for ANFO to achieve maximum energy output is:
A) 1:1
B) 4:1
C) 6:1
D) 8:1
Rationale: A 6:1 ratio (oil to ammonium nitrate) provides the best balance of energy and stability for
ANFO-3.
Question 15
When selecting a booster for a non-cap-sensitive explosive, the most common material used is:
A) Nitroglycerin
B) Emulsion explosive
C) Detasheet (PETN)
D) Black powder
Rationale: Detasheet (PETN) is a high-sensitivity booster that reliably transmits the detonation to
non-cap-sensitive explosives-3.
Question 16
