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The role of energetic

materials in science educationand public engagementPage 7

The Great Fire takes holdPage 12

December 2014T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E I N S T I T U T E O F E X P L O S I V E S E N G I N E E R S

ExplosivesEngineering

Professional Affiliate of the Engineering Council UK

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The Institute of Explosives Engineers

The Institute of Explosives EngineersSuite 3, 7–8 Mill Street, Stafford ST16 2AJ

Telephone and fax: 01785 240154

Email: secretariat@iexpe.org

www.iexpe.org

Institute of Explosives Engineers

Registered Office:

141 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BUCompany No. 07905911Company limited by guarantee

Editor

Diane Hall

Telephone: +44 (0)1729 840765

Mobile: +44 (0)7778 063373

Email: editor@iexpe.org

DianeTHall@aol.com

Design and Print/Production andAdvertising Manager

Gordon HuntGordon Hunt Design

Telephone: +44 (0)1726 832594

Email: design@gordon-hunt.co.uk 

Explosives EngineeringDistributed quarterly to all members of the Institute of Explosives Engineers.

To non-members or for additional copies to members, including p&p.

Single copies:- UK £8.80, EU £11.20, World £12.40.

Annual subscription:- UK £34.50, EU £44.10, World £48.90

To obtain copies, contact Explosives Engineering Subscriptions at the Institute address above.

Cheques should be made payable in sterling to the Institute of Explosives Engineers.

Papers, articles and letters to the Editor are welcome and should be sent to the Editor at her emailaddress, or by post to the Institute address.

Opinions expressed in the Journal are those of the authors concerned.

They do not necessarily represent the views of the Institute

The IExpE logo is a UK registeredtrade mark owned by IExpE

Professional Affiliate of ECUK 

Contents

RegularsInstitute News 2

Book review – 25Let Tyrants Trembleby John Reid

The Bennett le 26

Sidney Alford column 27

Tech spec 28

Industry News 30

Letter to the Editor - 31Concussive deafness –do you suffer?

Conferences/ 32Exhibition Diary

In a ash: 32We are the Bright Sparks

Contents

Features

Explosive inspiration: the role of energetic materials in 7science education and public engagementProfessor Christopher M Bishop FREng FRSE MIExpE

The Great Fire of London takes hold 12Colin Gorry

The evolution of the threat from improvisedexplosive devices 14Captain Michael Richardson

Our People, Our Home: Singapore’s 2014National Day Parade reworks display 18

Cheong Heng Wan MSc BSc EE andTommy Chaw Ming Heng Dip EE

The Royal Naval Cordite Factory at 22Holton Heath: Dorset’s essential role inboth World Wars,1914-1918 and 1939-1945Edward Griffiths

01

Front cover: Filming of TheGreat Fire of London ITVproduction, photographscopyright ITV, courtesyof Colin Gorry of ColinGorry Effects Ltd.

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ThePresident

speaks

As part of my intention to meet as many of 

the membership as possible, I recently visited

the Offshore branch in Aberdeen and my

thanks to Andy Pettitt for organising our visit.

I was able to report on progress in delivering

our strategy and answer questions from the

branch members. In engaging this way I

hope to be able to encourage more of our

members to apply for a Council position or

represent the Institute on the various

committees and working groups where our

contribution is in increasing demand as a

result of our increased professional

recognition and independence.

My visit was combined with a presentation

from Martyn Sime of HSE Explosive

Inspectorate on the new ELR 2014

Regulations. This was very well received and

gave the branch members clarity over the

changes and an opportunity to pose

questions on specic industry sector points.

Consequently, I would like offer that if a

sufficiently large group of members could

get together and request a similar joint visit

whether or not you are in a formal branch or

otherwise, we would welcome an

opportunity to try and repeat this event.

My visit to the Engineering Council

highlighted some signicant facts that

ultimately will affect all of industry in terms

of demographics and loss of experience. For

instance it appears that over 40 % of existing

registrants are over 60 years old. To address

this and other issues the Engineering Council

is promoting the benets from becoming

Engineering Technician, Incorporated

Engineer and supports the uptake of 

apprenticeships. This is to attract a wider

range of industry professionals whose

current levels of competence would

demonstrate a level of professional

registration. The general benets of registration can be seen at http://www.engc.

org.uk/professional-registration/video-

what's-in-it-for-me and I would encourage

all our membership to consider applying for

professional registration through the

Institute. For further details please contact

Ken Cross at registrar@iexpe.org.

With reference to routes to membership, our

workshop in October was very productive in

high lighting areas for improvement. This

resulted in Graham Brooks volunteering to

produce recommendations of how, throughrecognising competence, our routes to

membership meet the requirements of the

National Occupational Standards. This work 

is inuenced by the focus of the Engineering

Council above but is aimed at providing

recognition of a broader range of industry

professionals.

In respect of the new website and IT office

upgrades, we are on programme for

delivering new office IT capability and a new

website in time for next year’s AGM. This will

involve rebranding the Institute and takingadvantage of the advances in technology,

social media and accessibility of websites on

different media forms. Paul Harris and Dave

Welch are leading on this.

Members will like to be aware that we are

making more use of the web site to advertise

 jobs, so please keep an eye on it if you are

looking for a new job.

The Sector Skill Strategy Group has agreed

the proposed new DOES office contract and

Alan Hinton Associates are now progressing

the deliverables under that contract.

I went to watch the Southport Musical

Fireworks Championship 2014 in October

and I offer my congratulations to the winner

Smart Pyros. As I watched the crowd’s reaction

to all of the displays, I was aware of not only

their enjoyment but also how this provided

an opportunity for the companies involved

to demonstrate their professional expertise

in using reworks.

As we are approaching the Festive season,

may I ask all of you to pause and remember

all those who have signicant challenges

and do are best to support them and their

families. I would link this sentiment with our

friend, colleague and Council member Mike

Goodwin and all of us I’m sure would wish

him to know that we are thinking of him.

I nally wish you all a Happy Christmas and

safe New Year and I hope “Santa Claus” is

kind to you. John WolstenholmeCEng FIStrutE MICE MIExpE

Institute News

02

Offshore

Branch lay on

blue skies and

sunshine.

The AGM and Dinner will take place on 23rd April 2015 and the

Conference on 24th April 2015 with a proposed outline of timings as

follows:

23rd April 2015 – AGM: 16:00 – 18:00

23rd April 2015 – Dinner: 19:30 – 23:00

24th April 2015 – Conference: 09:30 – 15:45

The theme for the 2015 Conference is “Strengthening the

Relationship between the Institute of Explosives Engineers and Industry 

Partners” . Should you wish to be considered to present at the

Conference, please contact Dave Welch or Hannah Mellish by

calling: 01329 226 156 or emailing events@iexpe.org. In the event

we receive too many presenter applications, we will add all those

not selected for this year to our portfolio of potential presenters for

forthcoming conferences.

IExpE AGM andConference 2015As we approach 2015, the preparations for the next annual AGM and

Conference begin. The venue for next year ’s event is as follows:

Norton Park 

Hotel, Norton

Park, Sutton

Scotney, Near

Winchester

SO21 3NB

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Institute News

03

DOES reportThe DOES PM role continues for another

three years! The SSSG agreed to a new

term for the DOES PM role at their 27th

August meeting, held at the QinetiQ site at

Boscombe Down. IExpE remain the line

manager for this role. There is a newmanagement plan with the specied

outputs laid down in three priorities:

Priority 1: Training, Education and Work 

Experience (or up skilling)

Priority 2: Sharing Experience

Priority 3: Attract and retain talent

In addition, there are a number of 

administrative objectives to be achieved

over the three year term such as

developing Sector wide communications,

resource planning to relieve the nancial

burden on SSSG members and a continued

push for professionalism across the sector

with IExpE as the recognised professional

body. The SSSG members have agreed that

they will provide additional expert support

to the DOES PM to achieve the aims that

have been set. The DOES PM will take on

more of a coordination role rather than a

delivery role. The DOES team welcome

Allan Hinton back from his sabbatical in

Afghanistan and look forward to him

taking back the reins of this role in January

2015.

The Expert Working Groups continue with

their valuable work. The Early Careers

Focus Group continues to expand and

opportunities are now being developed for

its members to gain experience previously

not available to them. Any ECFG member

can now attend any EWG meeting for their

own professional development and

interest. The EWG meetings are available

on the Institute website or through the

ECFG chairman. The Chairmans’ contact

details are available through the

Secretariat.

The relationship between the SSSG and

the SSB remains as strong as ever, with Ken

Cross continuing as SSB chairman. The

latest SSB meeting took place at DEMS

Training Regiment, Bicester, on 22nd

October.

The SSSG is developing new metrics to

determine skills requirements in future

years, based on known demographics. The

SSB has previously delivered some work 

that will now form part of the input to the

new study. The issues being looked at are:

a. Sector Skills shortageb. Attract new people

c. Retain current skill sets (how? for how

long?)

d. Use the more experienced as mentors

(how?)

The SSSG has asked Dr Jenny Clucas of 

Cogent (the Sector Skills Council

responsible for the Explosives Industry) to

chair the review. It is planned that the

review will report in June 2015. All SSSG

companies will be involved in this activity

which will be funded through an SSGmember. The rst steering group meeting

took place at QinetiQ Farnborough on 11th

November 2014 and determined a way

ahead.

The Ordnance Munitions and Explosives

Symposium, delivered on behalf of the

SSSG, took place at Shrivenham

30thSeptember and 1st October. Over 250

delegates attended four sessions where 18

All IExpE members are entitled to attend the AGM and Conference at

no cost, other than travel expense and overnight accommodation.

Non-members will nd the associated event costs on the AGM and

Conference Booking Form enclosed, as IExpE have chosen to stay with

the Q Hotel chain, competitive rates have been offered, aligned as far

as possible with previous year’s event costs. Accommodation should

be booked directly through the hotel by calling: 01962 763 000,

quoting “Institute of Explosive Engineers” as a reference to obtain the

associated discount. All attendees should complete the form and

email to events@iexpe.org, alternatively they can be faxed to 01329

226 155 or sent to Chairman for IExpE AGM and Conference, Shogun

House, Fielder Drive, Fareham, PO14 1JE at the earliest convenience.

The deadline for receiving these booking forms is 17th April 2014.

Admittance to the event relies solely on receipt and acknowledgment

of a completed booking form and associated payment (where

applicable).

separate papers were presented, each

related to safety in conjunction with

explosives. The keynote speaker, Squadron

Leader Andy Fisher RAF, gave a fascinating

insight into how explosives design and

reliability saved his life. Andy is a QualiedWeapons Instructor with a Tornado GR4

squadron. He related his experience of 

ejecting from a Tornado on a runway just

before the moment of takeoff when his

pilot recognised that there was a re in

one of the engines. His explosively

powered ejector seat only had to work 

once, and work rst time. Reliability was

key to his escape from the burning aircraft!

Other DOES PM work included attending

the Cogent Annual Skills Forum on 16th

October 2014. This focused on theimplementation of the Science Industry

Partnership (SIP); full details of which can

be found at HYPERLINK 

"http://www.scienceindustrypartnership.c

om" www.scienceindustrypartnership.com

.

The SSSG has a forward programme for the

next year with meetings on 18th

February,17th June, 19th August and 18th

November 2015. The EWG dates are

interspersed between the SSSG meetings

and each EWG Chair reports on activitiesconducted in the past quarter, plus

providing plans for the coming quarter.

Paul Harris QGM FCMI FInstLM MIEpE

As always, partners are welcome and are encouraged to attend the

event and their attendance should be detailed on the Booking Form

also. Further details of attractions and activities available within the

surrounding area of the hotel are available from

www.visitwinchester.co.uk. There are Leisure facilities available at

the hotel and all hotel details can be found by visiting:

http://www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/norton-park/.

Conference sponsorship packages are detailed in the Sponsorship

Booking Form enclosed and have been modied slightly to allow for

further sponsorship opportunities to encourage increased

participation. Further sponsorship package details can be obtained

through Dave Welch or Hannah Mellish by calling: 01329 226 156 or

emailing events@iexpe.org.

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04

Branch reportsSouth (Central and West) Branch

The Branch meeting on 2nd June was held at The Royal Armouries

Museum at Fort Nelson in Fareham. Branch members were invited

to ‘bring a guest’ which offered the chance for non-members toattend and see what the branch gets up to. There were thirty

attendees at the meeting. The atmosphere was lively and offered

the usual nibbles and networking, as well as the opportunity to

learn about science and engineering of First World War gun systems,

to broaden our horizons by learning about ordnance which we may

not otherwise have encountered, and to offer a degree of hands-on

experience. Holli Kimble (the Branch Secretary), was entrusted with

ring the 18 Pounder gun. The gun was red twice as a

demonstration. This was preceded by a detailed explanation of the

cartridge and breech interface by Nick Hall who is a branch member

and the Keeper of Artillery at Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson.

The demo was followed by a thorough Q&A session; the lovelyweather made for a very pleasant evening as we gathered around

the gun to discuss ordnance engineering. After a spot of food and

drink, we were given a presentation on the 18 Inch Railway Howitzer

by Phil Magrath, Curator of Artillery at the Royal Armouries. This is a

remarkable piece of equipment in both size and history.

We then headed to Artillery Hall where we saw the massive gun

system on its railway carriage, along with a number of historical

cannon which had been raised from ship wrecks, and some more

modern artillery and gun systems. Our thanks go to the staff of Fort

Nelson, particularly Nick Hall and Phil McGrath for the enthusiastic

presentations and for allowing us to use the fantastic venue for our

meeting.Please get in touch through the Institute Secretariat if you wish to

attend any of the meetings or to be added to the email distribution

list. Our Branch meetings occur quarterly in March, June,

September and December.

Rob Hart CEng AIEMA

MIExpE Chairman

Institute News

Offshore Branch

The Offshore Branch has reported another strong year in 2014 and

continues to meet regularly, with meetings in February, June and

September having supported the group in communicating

effectively in a year of legislative change.

The most recent meeting on September 10th was attended by

guest speakers from the Institute and the HSE. The group was

delighted and honoured to host our President, John Wolstenholme,

who spoke with passion regarding his vision for the Institute and in

particular the need to encourage young people into industry and

ensure that the knowledge of today is passed on to the engineers of 

the future. He also spoke of the Institute taking more of a lead in

technical excellence, further dening competence both in UK and

Europe, and enhancing the (IT) communication channels from

within the Institute to its members and affiliates.

The group was also delighted to welcome Martyn Sime, of the HSE

Inspectorate, who presented an enlightening overview of the

Explosives Regulations 2014. He explained how the new regulations

were a consolidation of previous legislation and were suited to

support a very ‘broad church’ with a range of risks and hazards.

Changes to the Branch administrative structure included a change

of Chairman and Secretary in 2014. The Branch would like to extend

thanks to Brian Dundas of Baker Hughes for his dedication and

support of Branch activities as retiring Chairman and also to Paul

Lynch of Paradigm Geokey Services as Secretary. Andy Pettitt has

taken on the role of Branch Chairman, whereas Simon McKay has

assumed the role of Secretary, both of SPEX Offshore.The next Offshore Branch

meeting is scheduled for

Wednesday December 3rd,

hosted by Baker Hughes, all

welcome.

Simon McKay CEng MIExpE

Branch Secretary

18 Inch Railway Howitzer inArtillery Hall, The Royal

Armouries Museum.

The Branch visits FortNelson, Fareham.

Emails are as follows:-President@iexpe.org - John Wolstenholme

Director@iexpe.com - Alan Morley

Secretariat@iexpe.org - Vicki Hall

Membership@iexpe.org - Andy Pettitt

Editor@iexpe.org - Diane Hall

vp.operations@iexpe.org - Dave Welch

vp.projects@iexpe.org - Paul Harris

Finance.director@iexpe.org - Ian McKay

Registrar@iexpe.org - Ken Cross

Site.ed@iexpe.org - Web - Dan Perkins

Martyn Sime of HSE addressing the

Offshore Branch meeting.

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05

technical vocation. I am due to provide

them with a two-page brief on the status

quo and routes to membership and

professional registration by 30th October.

CPDInstitute Procedures have been amended

to include the Institute's requirement for

professional registrants to undertake 30

hours CPD per year. All other members are

strongly recommended to do the same.

Engineering Council policy on CPD will

require the Institute's Registrar to sample

all CPD records from 2016. As such I will

encourage all members to sign up for

MyCareerPath accounts and to use it in

2015. I strongly recommend that members

of Council lead from the front in thismatter by signing up for MyCareerPath if 

they have not already done so.

MyCareerPath

The MyCareerPath development

programme for 2015 will concentrate on

the sampling of CPD records to align with

the Engineering Council's policy.

The mobile device-friendly version of 

MyCareerPath has been released, which

enables easy capture of CPD as people are

on the move. I use this version occasionallyand nd it very convenient.

Sign up for your MyCareerPath account

now - IT'S FREE OF CHARGE.

http://iexpe.org/professional-

registration/continuous-professional-devel

opment-cpd

All queries on professional registration

should be directed to the Registrar in the

rst instance: registrar@iexpe.org

Ken CrossMBE CEng MSc BSc(Hons) FIExpE

Registrations

Professional registration statistics as at:

19th October 2014

CEng IEng EngTech

QUALIFIED 21 4 3

IN PROGRESS 6 0 0Application forms sent but

not yet received back - 42

Assessor training

SEE occasionally runs a "Training Day for

Assessors of Professional Review Interviews",

supported by the Engineering Council. The

workshops include a review of Engineering

Council requirements and delegates are

invited to carry out mock interviews of 

potential EngC registrants who have kindly

agreed to take part in the exercise.

Delegates are likely to be those who can

subsequently be expected to assist with PRI

interviews for the Society (SEE) and, where

appropriate, be part of a "pool" of interviewers

available to other institutions. All delegates

must be registered with Engineering Council

as CEng or IEng; regretfully our CChem etc

members are not able to attend but are still

most welcome as mentors. SEE reserves the

right to be selective in accepting delegates

and observers to the workshop in order that

there is a good mix of institutions and

disciplines. As such, these days are a good

opportunity to meet fellow professionals

from other disciplines which helps us all to

understand the role of the professional

engineer in society.

Marketing

The drive towards professionalisation in the

explosives sector of the MOD continues,

particularly in the Defence Equipment &

Support (DE&S) Weapons Operating Centre. I

held a brieng and series of 1:1s on 16th July

which has led to one or two applications formembership and professional registration

application packs.

I gave a presentation on the Institute and

professional registration as a lunchtime

lecture to members of staff at Dstl Fort

Halstead on 15th July, which was to have

been followed up with a 'Get it Done'

afternoon in October but which was

postponed due to lack of numbers.

I have been asked to provide Institute and

experiential input into a study/initiative

headed by the Army's Chief AmmunitionTechnical Officer and current head of 

Defence EOD & Search branch into the

(re)professionalisation of the ammunition

Professional registration update

Institute News

Awards 2014-2015Time has come around again for the call for

nominations for awards that are presented

by the Institute in recognition of services to

the explosives industry. Each award comes

with an engraved trophy or memento, a

photo of the winner in the Institute Journal

and of course the recognition by ones peers.

All the awards will be presented at the

annual AGM and Conference to be held at

Winchester on the 23rd April 2015.

Please could you take the time to consider

and nominate a colleague who you believe

 justly deserves recognition in the form of one

of the awards.

There are full details of all the awards on the

website, however here is a selection.

Nobel Lecture AwardMember or non member who is recognised

for having done such exemplary work in the

eld of explosives to warrant permanent

recognition by the Institute.

Harold Swinnerton Award

Member or non member who has done the

most to further the interests of the Institute

and services to the explosives industry.

Rosenthal Silver Salver Award

Awarded to a member for their outstanding

service to the Institute by carrying out

sufficient recognisable work for the Institute.

I am sure there are people in the explosives

eld that carry out their work day in day out,

without getting the recognition they truly

deserve. Now is the opportunity to say a big

thank you.

Please email the secretariat with your

nominations at secretariat@iexpe.org and

Vicki will forward those for consideration.

Fiona Smith AIExpE

Rebrand and new website for IExpEAs agreed at the last AGM, the Council is working to deliver a new identity for the

Institute, complete with revised logo, and freshen our outlook with a new web presence.

The project team have engaged Peloton Design and Satsuma Media to provide the new

website. The Council is working to an aggressive timeline to which all involved are

committed. Update milestones are linked to Council meetings so that Council can

inuence the development. The rst milestone is 3rd December 2014 when the project

team will brief Council on progress to date. By the following Council meeting on 4th

February 2015 it is intended to demonstrate a skeleton website. The team is working

towards an official launch of the site on the IExpE Stand at CT Expo (2st1-22nd April 15)in advance of the 2015 AGM and Conference 23rd and 24th April 2015.

Paul Harris QGM FCMI FInstLM MIExpE

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Institute News

06

All the incidents reported.

This chart compares the sum of non-member and member

incidents reported to SAFEX every month this year

compared to the previous year. We have only reported half 

the incidents this year than in in the same period last year

and the gap is widening. Are we having fewer incidents or

are we not reporting the incidents we are having? Every

incident not reported is a lost learning opportunity.

Remember, it’s never too late to report an incident.

Member incidents reported.

Because they give us the best learning opportunities, we

track member incidents (MI’s) separately in the chart on

the left. PAR is an estimate of how many MI’s are occurring

based on the severity of the MI’s that have been reported

this year. The gap between the number of MI’s reportedand PAR is our Reporting Gap. The Reporting Gap suggests

that only 70% of our MI’s are being reported.

Contributors of member incidents.

This chart identies those members who reported

incidents. It shows the number of incidents each of thesemembers reported relative to the total number of MI’s

received.

The chart distinguishes between Groups and Companies

merely to indicate the performance of the two

membership categories. There are about twice as many

operating units in the Groups than single Companies. So

far this year Group Members have reported about twice

the number of incidents Company Members reported.

Reprinted with kind permission of the publishers,

SAFEX International.

Incident ReportingMonitoring our reporting performance, from SAFEX Newsletter, No.50, 3rd Qtr,2014.

“Every incident that is reported may prevent another from occurring. You can save a life by reporting an incident -

including a near-event.”

SAFEX learns from its members’ experiences through the incident reports we receive. By applying these lessons we canprevent similar incidents recurring. That is why we track our incident reporting performance as follows:

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07

Feature

“Science in the classroom is becoming

 sterile and uninspiring.” Judith Hackitt, Chairman of the Health and SafetyExecutive, July 2011

The art of the sciencedemonstrationIn December of 1827, the young Michael

Faraday stood at the front of the famous

lecture theatre at the Royal Institution and

delivered his rst Christmas Lecture for

young people. Over 180 years later, the

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

continue to inspire young and old alike, but

now reach audiences of millions around the

world thanks to the power of television and

the internet. The hallmark of these lectures

is the extensive use of live demonstrations

both to captivate the audience and to

illustrate and explain scientic concepts.

Many popular science demonstrations

involve rapid exothermic chemical reactions

producing a variety of effects including

light, smoke, heat, and sound, and there is

little doubt that many people nd a visceral

fascination in witnessing an explosive

release of energy (Klapotke & Steinhauser,

2010). The “bangs and ashes” of chemistry

demonstrations have long been a source of 

excitement for young and old alike, and areoften cited by professional scientists as the

reason why they became interested in

science in their youth. Explosives therefore

play a key role in many of the most exciting

and engaging science demonstrations.

An additional benet of including explosive

demonstrations in science lectures is to

provide the opportunity to present a more

balanced view of the world of explosives to

the general public. Often given negative

connotations, explosives in reality play many

important roles in our society, whetherproviding entertainment at a reworks

display, extracting raw materials from the

ground to power our industries, or saving

lives through car air bags.

The focus of this article will be on the use of 

explosives for science demonstrations that

form part of public lectures, since this

reects the author’s particular interests.

Many of the same considerations will,

however, be equally applicable to classroom

demonstrations delivered in the context of 

formal education.

Elements of a demonstrationlecture

A successful science lecture involves a lotmore than simply setting off a few

spectacular explosions. It is well established

that story telling is one of the most effective

ways to convey information, and the lecture

must therefore have a clear narrative arc,

leading the audience from a captivating

opening to a memorable nale. A

demonstration lecture is also a piece of 

theatre, and many of the principles of a

good stage production are equally

applicable here.

One powerful technique for increasingaudience engagement, particularly with

family audiences, is to invite volunteers to

come down to the front of the lecture

theatre and assist with a demonstration. For

example, the initiation of a mixture of silver

nitrate and powdered magnesium can be

demonstrated by having a volunteer direct a

 jet of water from a pressurised water pistol

at a distance of several meters (this, and

other, chemistry demonstrations can be

seen at www.richannel.org/chemical-

curiosities).Safety considerationsAny demonstration lecture requires careful

attention to safety (Bodner, 1985). Central to

good safety practice is a thorough

assessment of the risks involved in the

various demonstrations, and in the lecture

as a whole. This involves the enumeration of 

the various potential hazards together with

an assessment of their severity. For each

such hazard the probability of that hazard

arising must also be estimated. The risk is

then determined by the combination of 

hazard and probability. If the risk is

unacceptably high then steps must be taken

to reduce the severity of the hazard, or to

reduce the likelihood of it occurring, or both.

It is important to consider not only the

individual demonstrations, but also the

possibility for inadvertent interaction

between different demonstrations during

the lecture. For instance, sparks from one

demonstration might lead to accidental

ignition of other ammable substances.

Similarly, inviting a volunteer out to the

front of the lecture theatre might put them

into close proximity to other demonstrations

or to hazardous materials. It is therefore

important to consider the choreography of 

the lecture as a whole. While a full dress

rehearsal is ideal, this is not always possible.

However, a “walk through” rehearsal can be

hugely benecial, and can also serve to brief 

any staff involved with the lecture,

particularly those assisting with

demonstrations. If the lecture is being

lmed, then the camera crew also needs to

be properly briefed. Often the producer will

require close-up shots of the

demonstrations, and these can usually belmed without the audience, for example

during rehearsals.

Explosive inspiration!The role of energetic materials in science

education and public engagementBy Professor Christopher M. BishopFREng FRSE MIExpE

Audience appreciating the demonstration.

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In addition to the potential hazards

associated with demonstration lectures in

general, particular issues arise when

explosives are being used. One important

safety consideration is the noise level arising

from explosions. Bangs need to be loud

enough to impress the audience, yet must at

all times remain well below levels at whichtemporary or permanent damage to hearing

can occur (both for the lecturer, their

assistants, and the audience members).

Pragmatically, the noise levels are set by

experimentation during the development of 

the lecture, and it is important to test the

effect in the actual lecture theatre to be

used, as venues vary considerably in their

acoustic properties. These tests will

generally be done with only a small number

of people in the room, and it must be kept in

mind that the presence of an audience, with

their acoustically absorbent clothing, willlead to a noticeable reduction in the

perceived sound level. The audience should

also be told in advance, for example on the

website advertising the lecture, that they

should expect loud bangs. It has been

observed that such warnings actually serve

to increase the popularity of the lecture by

enhancing the sense of excitement! During

the lecture itself the audience should be

warned immediately before any loud noise,

and advised to cover their ears when

appropriate.

Another specic challenge associated with

the use of explosives is the production of 

smoke and gaseous combustion products in

the conned space of a lecture theatre. To

help address this problem the author has

developed a bespoke portable smoke hood,

shown below.

The front, sides, top, and back of the smoke

hood are made from polycarbonate

allowing the hood to function as a safety

shield. The hood can be assembled using

 just 8 screws from a “at pack” conguration,

and hence transportation and setup are very

straightforward. Pipes from the top of the

hood lead smoke and fumes away to acommercial extraction unit capable of 

pumping 300 m3 per hour and which

contains a course pre-lter, followed by a

main HEPA (high efficiency particulate

absorption) lter, and nally an activated

carbon lter. The smoke problem can be

further alleviated through the use of 

demonstrations based, for example, on

nitrocellulose rather than black powder or

similar compositions, and by minimizing the

quantities of materials used.

Legal considerationsMany interesting demonstrations can beperformed using commercial explosives

such as stage pyrotechnics or black powder.

In some cases these will require the lecturer

to carry an appropriate Recipient

Competent Authority transfer document

and a certicate for the acquisition and

keeping of explosives (ExpReg, 2014).

However, numerous demonstrations will

require the preparation of explosives either

immediately in advance of the lecture or

during the lecture itself. For example, themixture of silver nitrate and magnesium

powder discussed earlier cannot legally be

transported as it is not packaged for

transport and does not have a UN

classication (nor would it be wise to

transport it from a safety perspective).

Preparation of such compositions

constitutes an act of manufacture (ExpReg,

2014) which in general requires a

manufacturing licence. Such a licence is

specic to the place of manufacture, and

would be infeasible to obtain for

demonstration lectures. Fortunately,

Regulation 6(2)(a) of the Explosives

Regulations 2014 provides for themanufacture of small quantities of 

explosives for specic purposes without a

licence, namely:

a) The manufacture of explosives for the

purpose of laboratory analysis, testing,

demonstration or experimentation (but

not for practical use or supply) where

the total quantity of explosives being

manufactured at any time does not

exceed 100 grams, but nothing in this

sub-paragraph is to be taken as

authorising any acquisition or keepingof explosives for which an explosives

certicate is required by virtue of 

regulation 5, without such a certicate;

This exemption, commonly known as the

“100g rule”, provides an important

mechanism to facilitate the use of explosives

in educational demonstrations, and was

carried over from the 2005 Manufacture and

Storage of Explosives Regulations (MSER,

2005). Note that Schedule 2 of the

Explosives Regulations 2014 provides an

exemption for the requirement to hold anexplosives certicate for 0.5g of nitrogen

triiodide, or 0.5g of any pyrotechnic

substance, which is manufactured for

demonstration purposes as part of an

educational activity.

The requirement to comply with complex

legislation when using explosives in

demonstrations can be daunting for

teachers and lecturers, and may unduly

discourage them from including such

demonstrations. To help address this, the

Royal Institution (represented by theauthor), the Royal Society of Chemistry, and

the Explosives Industry Group of the CBI,

have been working in consultation with the

Health and Safety Executive and other

interested parties to produce a guide for

lecturers and teachers engaged in the use of 

explosives for demonstration purposes

(DemoGuide, 2014).

Don’t try this at home!It has become a time-honoured ritual for

demonstration lecturers to begin their

lecture with an impassioned plea to theaudience not to attempt to replicate

hazardous demonstrations themselves.

Indeed, one purpose of the lecture is to

Portable smoke hood.

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allow the public to see demonstrations rst

hand which it would be inappropriate for

them to try out themselves. In the case of 

lectures involving explosives, some

additional words of warning will be

appropriate, highlighting the potential

illegality of explosives manufacture

(including the dismantling of reworks) as

well as the extremely unforgiving nature of 

explosives in the event of an accident.

Care should also be taken with explosive

materials used in the lecture, to ensure that

curious or mischievous audience members

do not abscond with explosives or their

precursors. Similarly, a public lecture should

avoid divulging information of potential

value to anyone engaged in the nefarious

use of energetic materials.

Enthusiasm for scientic experimentation

should not, however, be discouraged but

rather redirected. My message for the

younger members of the audience is simple:

work hard at school with the goal of 

becoming a professional scientist or

engineer. You will then have access to much

more interesting materials and facilities,

everything can be done in a way that is both

safe and legal, and best of all you will

actually be paid for having fun!

Case study:The Science of FireworksFinally, we look at the structure and content

of a specic lecture, to illustrate the use of 

explosives in science communication. The

lecture chosen is called The Science of 

Fireworks, and was given in the Department

of Chemistry at Cambridge University on

November 5th, 2011. It was professionally

lmed and edited, and can be viewed at

www.richannel.org/the-science-of-reworks.

Firework displays are very popular, andappeal to people of all ages (Smith, 2011). A

lecture on the science of reworks can

leverage this popularity, along with a natural

curiosity as to how the various effects are

produced. The topic of reworks also offers a

clear opportunity for numerous spectacular

and engaging demonstrations. (By

denition, this particular lecture uses only

low explosives. For an example of a publiclecture which includes the demonstration of 

high explosives see

www.richannel.org/explosive-science.)

The main lecture theatre in the Chemistry

Department is ideally suited to

demonstration lectures, having a 10m long

bench allowing most of the demonstrations

to be set up in advance. The theatre holds

500 people, and provides ample spacing

between the lecture bench and the

audience.

As the lecture commences, the lights aredimmed, and a large ice fountain is ignited,

which immediately engages audience

attention, and provides an opportunity for

some introductory remarks, hinting at some

of the highlights that lie ahead during the

course of the lecture.

The rst part of the lecture focuses on black 

powder, or gunpowder, which plays a crucial

role in reworks, and which also has a close

association with Guy Fawkes and the

November celebrations. An old Chinese

manuscript dating from around 900 AD,

called Essentials of the Mysterious Way of 

the True Origin, describes an early precursor

to black powder: “Some have combined

sulphur and realgar with saltpetre, andheated them with honey [so that] ames

have burst forth, even to the point of 

reducing their houses to cinders”. So even a

thousand years ago, people were already

being warned not to try pyrotechnic

experiments at home!

The recipe is then recreated, omitting the

realgar (arsenic sulphide) for obvious

reasons. Sulphur, saltpetre and honey are

mixed in a steel pot, and heated over a

Bunsen ame, and after ten seconds or so,

ames do indeed burst forth.While this is an interesting effect, it falls far

short of the explosive properties we

generally associate with gunpowder. The

next phase of the lecture therefore explores

ways to speed up the reaction. Replacing

the water-laden honey with a more efficient

fuel, charcoal, is the rst step. This raises the

question of the appropriate proportions and

leads to a discussion of stoichiometry, which

is explored by igniting balloons containing

varying proportions of hydrogen and

oxygen, observing that a 2:1 ratio gives theloudest bang. A sample of rough black 

powder is then mixed by hand using the

classic proportions of 75:15:10. To test this

composition, a rudimentary measurement

of the burn rate is performed by pouring the

composition into a v-shaped track and

igniting one end using a length of visco fuse.

This rough powder takes about 20 seconds

to burn the length of the track (about 80cm).

"Don't try this at home!" Lecture theatre bench.

Essentials of the Mysterious Way of the True Origin, manuscript 900AD.

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The burning speed of the rough black 

powder is clearly disappointing, and so the

next stage is to try to improve on this. The

effect of the intimate mixing of fuel and

oxidiser is demonstrated by lighting a small

pile of Lycopodium powder on a heat-proof 

mat, showing that it is reluctant to sustain

combustion. By contrast, when Lycopodium

is dispersed through the air in the presence

of a source of ignition, the result is rapid

combustion and a spectacular re ball.

After describing the commercial manufacture

of black powder, including the incorporating

and corning processes, a sample of commercial

black powder is burned in a v-shaped track,producing a dramatically faster rate of 

combustion compared to the hand-mixed

rough black powder (about 0.5 sec over a

distance of 80cm).

Of course, this is still not an explosion, so thequestion is how to increase the rate of 

energy release still further. Scientic insight

into this problem is obtained from kinetic

theory, which is introduced using a simple

computer simulation showing moleculescolliding and undergoing reaction. This leads

to a prediction that the rate of reaction willincrease both with temperature and with

density. To verify the temperature

dependence we invite volunteers to activatetwo identical light sticks, and then place one

in warm water and the other in iced water.

On inspecting the light sticks a few minutes

later, it is apparent that the warmer one issignicantly brighter, indicating a higher rate

of chemical reaction. To illustrate the effect of 

density, the bleaching of food colour using

hypochlorite solutions of various

concentrations provides a direct visualisation

of the density dependence of reaction rate.

We can now apply these scientic insights to

the domain of pyrotechnics. A cardboard

tube housing an electrical igniter is used to

demonstration of colour chemistry with

minimal smoke production.

The lecture needs to end with a ourish, and

so after appropriate acknowledgements to

the lab technicians for their help in

preparing and delivering the lecture, it is

announced that we will follow the time-

honoured tradition of burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes. This is a slightly unusual one,

however, in that he is made entirely of 

nitrocellulose! Finally, the lights are dimmed,

the fuse is lit, and the lecture reaches its

dramatic conclusion.

Acknowledgements

This article has beneted from feedback 

provided by a number of colleagues and

friends; I wish to thank Charles Adcock, Tom

Smith, and Peter Wothers for their valuable

input.

 About the author 

Chris Bishop is Vice President of the Royal Institution

of Great Britain, Distinguished Scientist at Microsoft 

Research Cambridge, Professor of Computer Science

at the University of Edinburgh, and a Fellow of 

Darwin College, Cambridge. In 2008 he gave the

Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, broadcast on

 prime-time UK national television. He is a Fellow of 

the Royal Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of 

the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 2009 he was

awarded the Tam Dalyell prize “for excellence in

engaging the public with science”, and in 2011 he

won the UK’s most prestigious public engagement  prize for engineering: the Rooke Medal awarded by 

the Royal Academy of Engineering for “his persistent 

drive in engaging members of the public in the vital 

work of engineers and their contribution to society”.

Further information:

Christopher.Bishop@microsoft.com

Bibliography Bodner, G. M. (1985). Lecture Demonstration

 Accidents from Which We Can Learn. Journal of 

Chemical Education, 62(12).

DemoGuide. (2014). The Use of Explosives in

Educational Demonstrations: A guide to the

Explosives Regulations 2014 and to good practice.

 Available from: http://www.eig.org.uk/exp_demo.

ExpReg. (2014). Explosives Regulations 2014. Health

and Safety Executive.

Klapotke, T. M., & Steinhauser, G. (2010). Using the

Chemistry of Fireworks To Engage Students in

Learning Basic Chemical Principles. Journal of 

Chemical Education, 87(2).

MSER. (2005). Manufacture and Storage of 

Explosives Regulations and Approved Code of 

Practice. Health and Safety Executive.

Smith, T. (2011). Firework Displays: Explosive

Entertainment. Chemical Publishing.

conne 1g of commercial black powder. A

prediction is made that the connement will

allow the temperature to rise without a fall

in density, and hence the rate of reaction

should also rise. Initiation of the igniter (with

the tube located behind the safety screen)

produces a respectable explosion.

The lecture then moves on to look at the

production of bangs in reworks using ash

powder, starting with the early days of 

photography, and the need to provide a

portable source of light. First some

magnesium ribbon is burned in air

illustrating the intense white light, after

which a fuel-rich photo ash mixture isdemonstrated. A fast burning ash

composition then provides an excellent

opportunity to revisit and demonstrate the

effect of connement. First 1g of ash

powder is ignited in the open using an

electrical igniter, producing a ash and puff 

of smoke, but with no noise. Next 1g of 

exactly the same composition is placed in a

thin-walled cardboard tube, together with

an igniter, and the top of the tube closed by

resting a standard business card on top. In

this case the result is a loud explosion. It is

clear that this cannot be due to the burstingof the container, as the connement

provided by the business card cannot

support a signicant static pressure

differential.

After a discussion of colour production, the

construction of reworks is discussed, with

an emphasis on shells. Various effects such

as strobes, crackle stars, and whistles can

now be demonstrated, along with various

types of fuse. The nal topic of the lecture

focuses on nitrocellulose, starting with the

story of its accidental discovery bySchönbein while conducting experiments

on his kitchen table. A rainbow of coloured

nitrocellulose ares then provides a vivid

Demonstrating the effect of stoichiometry.

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The Great Fire of 

London takes holdA pictorial review of thespecial effects used to create

the ITV TV production

Feature

12

The Great Fire of London began on the night

of 2nd September 1666 during the Stuart

reign of King Charles ll in a small bakery in

Pudding Lane run by Thomas Farynor, bakerto the King.

As houses were mainly half-timbered at that

time with pitch roofs they were dangerously

ammable and the re spread rapidly

through hay and feed piles in the yards to

warehouses and wharves crammed with

timber, coal, oil, tallow hemp and spirits.

The citizens threw buckets of water

unsuccessfully at the growing inferno and

Samuel Pepys, the diarist, described the air

which was alight with ‘redrops’ or wisps of 

burning straw and wood, as the sky lledwith a ‘most horrid, malicious, bloody ame,

not like the ne ame of an ordinary re.’

Gunpowder was traditionally used to

demolish houses in the path of a re to

create a re-break and deprive the re of 

fuel. However the rubble proved too much

to be cleared before the re was at hand and

it raged unchecked for three days before the

Paper House was demolished to create a re

break and the re burnt itself out. In all

13,000 houses were destroyed.

The 2014 ITV television production “The

Great Fire”, which cost £6.35 million in the

making, traced the story with dramatic

impact and recreated for viewers gripping

episodes depicting the terror of the ordinarycitizens and the wrangling of politics for the

King and his court.

Colin Gorry of Colin Gorry Effects Ltd

produced the majority of the special effects

and tells us of his task:

“The brief was to create a Dresden feel, but

this was very difficult as it was not on a re

stage. The budget dictated that the set had

to be constructed with wood, so plaster

covered re-board was used in the areas

exposed to heat. There was virtually no

protection on the roofs so we couldn’t go toliquid gas, therefore multiple gas bars

needed to be built in on the exteriors and

incorporated into the tiers and walls. The

streets were also narrow so lighting upneeded to be systematic to avoid

overheating. This was equally important for

the safety of the actors and the set. Special

heat rollers were made to drop ash and

burning embers. We used over 300 bottles

of gas and over 2 kilometres of pipe-work.

Falling buildings were simulated using small

black powder stringbound charges lifting

debris, with compressed LPG mortars to

dress with ame. Gas was used rather than

fuel as the limited space meant it was critical

that the re balls burnt out as fast aspossible, thereby not compromising the

foreground action in the streets.”

Further information: enquiries@cg-sfx.com

The actors and theset had to beprotected fromoverheating.

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Feature

13

Filming of TheGreat Fireunderway.Photographscopyright ITV,courtesy of ColinGorry Effects Ltd.

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This article contains public sector information

licensed under the Open Government Licencev.2.0. Readers are encouraged to use and re-

use the information that is available under this

licence freely and exibly, with only a few 

conditions (see http://www.nationalarchives.

gov.uk/doc/open-government-

licence/version/2/). Use of copyright and 

database right material expressly made

available under this licence (the ‘Information’)

indicates your acceptance of the terms and 

conditions on the website. The Licensor grants

 you a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual non-

exclusive licence to use the information subject 

to the conditions on the website. This licence

does not affect your freedom under fair 

dealing or fair use or any other copyright or 

database right exceptions and limitations.

In recent years, there has been an increase in

the number of new emerging threats to

security around the world. Governments

and industry now face challenges such as

cyber attack, organised crime and

international terrorism on a scale not seen

before1. Much of the technology which has

enabled these threats to emerge has beendeveloped for a legitimate use, but has been

adapted and used in an illicit way by those

who pose a threat. The same is true for

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and the

components that can be used to make

them. IEDs constructed from components,

which are generally available for legitimate

reasons, have become a key weapon for

terrorist groups around the world.

...in the last year there were over 40,000

casualties caused by IEDs globally, not 

including those in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The use of IEDs against International

Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops inAfghanistan, as well as high prole events

such as the Oklahoma bombings in 1993

and the London 7/7 bombings in 2005, have

ensured that dealing with the IED threat has

been a high priority for some governments.

Indeed, this is not an isolated problem.

Events such as the recent bombings in

Nigeria, attributed to groups such as Boko

Haram; the use of improvised “Barrel Bombs”

by regime forces in Syria; and a number of 

attacks in China, attributed to Uiygur

groups, have shown that the use of IEDs

continues to proliferate around the world.

The US Military Joint Improvised Explosive

Device Defeat Organisation (JIEDDO)

reported that in the last year there were over

40,000 casualties caused by IEDs globally,

not including those in Afghanistan and

Iraq2.

Under the UK government’s counter

terrorism strategy (CONTEST) it is committed

to engaging with industry to assist them in

managing their products with possible illicit

uses responsibly. As part of thisengagement, the Joint Improvised Explosive

Device Analysis Centre (JIEDAC), a UK 

Ministry of Defence organisation which

investigates ways to inhibit the licit to illicit

exchange of IED components and precursor

chemicals, has been collaborating with

SAFEX in order to ensure that appropriate

measures are taken.

A historical perspective

The use of explosives by terrorists is not

new. Every autumn in the UK, large bonres

are constructed to celebrate the foiling of a1605 plot to blow up the reigning monarch

and his parliament as part of an ongoing

religious conict by Guy Faulks. In the late

19th century, a range of terrorist groups in

Europe and North America, identied thatproducts being developed in the new eld

of commercial explosives could be used in

their campaigns. Across the Atlantic,

America experienced one of its rst major

criminal explosive incidents when, in 1886

during a Chicago Labour dispute, anarchists

exploded bombs in a public meeting3.

2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of 

the First World War. This conict, fought

principally between two groups of European

states, has been seen, along with the Second

World War, as the pinnacle of the state vsstate conict which had evolved over the

previous 400 years. It is tempting to contrast

the “simplicity” of this conict with the

complex security situation we are involved

with today. In 1914, a range of countries,

bound together by mutual security

agreements, faced each other on the

battleelds of Europe and in their overseas

colonies. The entire national will and the

power of nations (and their colonies) were

mobilised in a ght which led, over a four

year period of attrition, to the collapse of one group.

The nature of conict has evolved signicantly

over the past century. Conicts are now

often fought between states and non-state

groups, such as those seeking a change of 

government or the secession of a region

from a country. Nation states are no longer

the only players on the world stage. They are

 joined by a range of groups with interests

spanning borders and conicts4. These

include international organisations, such as

the UN and EU; global Multi NationalCorporations; and industry groups. They also

include terrorist groups and crime networks,

who operate across traditional state borders.

This is the rst of four articles from

 JIEDAC which detail:

i)the evolving threat from IEDs

ii) how an IED is made

iii) how we have tried to ght this threat 

and

iv) how industry can help in this ght.

See ii), iii) and iv) in future issues of 

Explosives Engineering.

The evolution of the threat from

improvisedexplosive devicesBy Captain Michael Richardson Royal Engineers,Joint Improvised Explosive Device Analysis Centre, (JIEDAC).

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For example, the Irish Republican

Brotherhood (IRB), campaigning for the

independence of Ireland from Great Britain,

used low and high explosives to target

British Police and military targets from 1867.

They benetted from being able to operate

across borders, receiving support from

within the US where a large emigrant

community was able to provide nance, as

well as receiving a measure of expertise

through American Civil War veterans.

In order to counter this, an approach that

helps prevent countries becoming safe

havens for people to plan, supply and

mount attacks is required. One way to do

this is by helping those countries of concern

develop controls on activity and access to

the material that could be used as weapons.

In looking at how the global security

situation has changed since the end of the

First World War 1, some parallels do emerge.

Although the First World War took place

between two groups of states, it was

sparked by the activity of a small previously

unknown terrorist group with a limited

agenda. Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist

shot Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand, heir to theAustro-Hungarian throne, to highlight the

plight of Serbian Nationalism, but in doing

so sparked a global conict. This was not the

rst attempt by non state groups to use acts

of terror to implement political change: in

1881 members of the “People’s Will”, a left

wing terrorist group, assassinated Tsar

Alexander II, the ruler of Russia, with an IED5.

In all cases, access to weaponry for 

belligerents has been a key factor in

 sustaining the conict.

Following the end of the Cold War, conicts

in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

continued to cause casualties. This

development of conict has shown that

small conicts, often pitting groups within

state groups, have continued alongside

major changes in the world order. To slightly

mis-quote the Australian counter insurgencyexpert, David Kilcullen, people have

continued to ght their small wars, often

motivated by local issues and grievances,

even in the midst of the much larger

struggles7. In all these cases, access to

weaponry for belligerents has been a key

factor in sustaining the conict. Often,

access to weapons, particularly for non state

actors, has been difficult. In these cases the

ability to improvise weaponry, particularly in

the form of IEDs, which can have a

disproportionate effect on a betterequipped enemy, has been key. The

simplicity of some of the IEDs and the ability

to procure precursors by legitimate means

make it even harder to try and counter

them. Whilst recognising the potency of 

commercial explosives, the IRB

experimented with creating their own Home

Made Explosives (HME). In one example

from the 1880s, a large amount of chemicals

were purchased by members of the IRB

using the cover of a paint factory8. This was

discovered by alert suppliers raising

concerns to the police about the amount of 

pure glycerine that the shop was purchasing

for no apparent reason.

...the ability to improvise weaponry,

 particularly in the form of IEDs,..can have a

disproportionate effect on a better 

equipped enemy...

This, amongst other examples, has led to the

cooperation between industry, retailers and

governments that we work towards today,

like initiatives that encourage industry and

retailers to raise concerns around suspicious

chemical purchases, such as ‘Know your

Customer’ schemes.

The illicit use of goods available on the open

market remains a key tactic of terrorists,

particularly those operating in areas wherecommercial grade explosives may be hard to

acquire. The terrorists who exploded bombs

on public transport in London in 2005

Assassination of Tsar Alexander II6.

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constructed them from chemicals purchased

in low quantities on the open market and

distilled in a kitchen9.

The development of technology, in

particular the internet, has had a signicant

effect on terrorist activity. Sharing

information on how to use explosives has

been seen from an early stage. In 1887 a“Professor Mezzeroff” lectured in New York 

on the power of Nitro-glycerine and

encouraged those attending to support the

IRB by providing them with men10. More

recently, terrorists have been able to use the

internet as a means to quickly share

information on IED technology and

motivation around the world11. The idea of 

terrorists using explosives and the way they

share information on them is, therefore, not

a recent phenomenum.

Efforts by governments to controlinformation in this area, such as by banning

the Anarchists’ Cookbook and similar

qualications show how governments can

help prevent the spreading of knowledge12.

Industry also bears a responsibility, in line

with the laws in their respective countries to

ensure those with access to information on

explosives and precursors are effectively

vetted.

Terrorism and IEDs

The evolution of the threat from terrorists

and IEDs has led to a number of conicting

denitions for both terms. The UK 

Governments dened terrorism in its 2000

Terrorism Act as:

The use or threat of action designed to

inuence the government or aninternational governmental organisation

or to intimidate the public, or a section of 

the public; made for the purposes of 

advancing a political, religious, racial or 

ideological cause; and it involves or 

causes:

• serious violence against a person

• serious damage to a property

• a threat to a person's life

• a serious risk to the health and safety of 

the public, or

• serious interference with or disruption to

an electronic system.

A further clarication could be that terrorism

is generally something carried out by non

state or proxy actors against a state, rather

than state on state violence. This is not to

belittle the role of criminal elements that

may use IEDs, but the distinction between

motivations is stark. The UK government

identies international terrorism as the

principle current national security threat14.

Many denitions for an improvised

explosive device exist, originating from

political, military and academic sources.

NATO military doctrine denes an IED as:

 A device placed or fabricated in animprovised manner incorporating

destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic or 

incendiary chemicals and designed to

destroy, incapacitate, harass or distract. It 

may incorporate military stores, but is

normally devised from non-military 

components15.

A more comprehensive denition from

academia, which also includes the

motivation of the perpetrators, describes it

as follows:

 An explosive device is considered an IED

when any or all of the following -explosive

ingredient, initiation, triggering or 

detonation mechanism, delivery system -

is modied in any respect from its original 

expressed or intended function. An IED’s

components may incorporate any or all of 

military grademunitions, commercial 

explosives or homemade explosives. The

16

Feature

Ambulances at Russell Square, London after the 7th July bombings18.

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components and device design may vary 

in sophistication from simple to complex 

and IEDs can be used by a variety of both

state and non-state actors. Non-state

actors can include (but not be limited to)

terrorists, insurgents, drug traffickers,

criminals and nuisance pranksters16.

Terrorist objectivesThe objectives of those who use explosive

devices are varied. In areas of conict they

may be used by an adversary as a way to

strike at an opposing force, possibly to

cancel out an overmatch of weaponry. It

may be used to restrict the activities of an

opposing force; protect their own locations

and equipment; prevent the opposing force

engaging with the population; and to inict

casualties. The use of IEDs as a reaction to

Western interventions in Iraq and

Afghanistan is an example of thedeployment of such tactics. In other cases

however, the intended target is not another

armed group but the civilian population.

Terrorist campaigns have frequently

targeted civilian populations with the aim of 

inicting casualties, causing fear and

applying pressure to governments. The

Madrid Train Bombings of 2005, taking place

shortly before an election, are believed to

have put pressure on the Spanish

Government to withdraw troops form Iraq.

Civilian aviation has been a frequent target

of terrorist attacks in events such as the

Lockerbie Bombings17. These attacks not

only caused large amounts of casualties in a

spectacular fashion but also, through

increased security measures, have had a

lasting impact on how we travel by air.

Groups may also combine the use of IEDs

with other weapons to increase their

potential effect. Terrorist “spectacular”

attacks include the Mumbai Bombings in

2008 in which around 164 people were

killed and the Beslan School Siege in theSouthern Caucasus region of Russia, in

which 380 people were killed. In both

occasions perpetrators used IEDs as well as a

range of other weapons including assault

ries and machine guns to ensure maximum

casualties.

Summary

The threat posed by IEDs is not new and an

enduring problem globally not just within

Afghanistan and Iraq. The IED due to its

simplicity and relative low cost and potential

to cause vast amounts of damage has madeit the weapon of choice for international

terrorism, claiming both military and civilian

lives worldwide. Developments in

12. United Kingdom (2000) Terrorism Act 2000. London:TSO [Online] Available fromhttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/pdfs/ukpga_20000011_en.pdf [Accessed 4 Jun 14]

13. Terrorism Act 2000, TSO quoted athttps://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/ the-threats/terrorism.html (accessed 03 Jun 14)

14.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa

ds/ attachment_data/le/61936/national-security-strategy.pdf National Security Strategy: A Strong Britainin an Age of Uncertainty, HMSO, 2010 p 27.

15. ALLIED JOINT DOCTRINE FOR COUNTERING –IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, AJP-3.15 (A), MARCH2011

16. Gill P , Horgan J & Lovelace J, (2011) Improvised Explosive Device: The Problem of Denition, Studies inConict & Terrorism, 34:9, 732-748, DOI:10.1080/1057610X.2011.594946

17. United Kingdom: MI5 ( 2014) How the Threat hasEvolved [online] Available from:https://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/the-threats/terrorism/international-terrorism/how-the-threat-has-evolved.html [Accessed: 4 Jun 14}

18. Wikipedia Russel Square Ambulances [Online]Available from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Russell_square_ambulances.jpg [Accessed 4 Jun 14]. Usage detailshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:GNU_Free_Documentation_License

19.Wikipedia. (2014) List of Terrorist Incidents. [Online]Available from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battles_and_other_violent_events_by_death_toll#Terrorist_attacks[Accessed 4 Jun 14].

This article rst appeared in the SAFEX 

newsletter, No.49, 2nd Qtr, 2014 and is

reprinted here with kind permission of the

 publisher.

Further information: JIEDAC@iexpe.org

technology have had a signicant impact on

the way conicts are fought. Through the

internet, ideas can now be shared more

easily, making it easier to operate across

borders.

In combating the threat, governments and

industry can work together in order to use a

range of measures including improvedcontrols and regulations around the supply

and storage of commercial explosive

material and pre cursor chemicals in order to

prevent the illicit use of such elements by

terrorists. Initiatives such as the ‘Know your

Customer’ scheme which encourage

retailers to raise concerns around suspicious

chemical purchases have proved successful

and should be utilised more in the future to

help to reduce the threat.

Future articles will expand on how an IED is

made; how we have tried to ght this threat;and how industry can help in this ght.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/" Contains public sectorinformation licensed under the Open GovernmentLicence v2.0.

1. http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/le/61936/national-security-strategy.pdf. United Kingdom (2010) National SecurityStrategy: A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty.London: TSO, 2010 p 27.

2. Vasenko D, Speech to SAFEX Conference 23 May 2013.

3. Chicago History (2014) The Dramas of Haymarket.[Online] Available from: http://www.chicagohistory.org

/dramas /overview/main.htm

4.http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads /attachment_data/le/61936/national-security-strategy.pdf" United Kingdom (2010) National SecurityStrategy: A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty.London: TSO, 2010 p 17.

5. Encyclopedia Britannica (1910) New York. Availablefrom http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7061595M/The_Encyclopaedia_Britannica [Accessed 04 Jun 2014]

6. Wikipedia (2014). Attentat auf Zar Alexander II 1881 19JhAvailable from http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Attentat_auf_Zar_Alexander_II_1881_19Jh.jpg [Online]Accessed 4 Jun 14

7. Kilcullen, D (2009) The Accidental Guerrilla, Fighting

Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One

8. Meriden Daily Republican (Apr 6 1883) [Online]available at http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y59HAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Zf4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4023%2C1245019 [Accessed 4 Jun 14]

9. Dryden, S and Patel H(2013) London 7/7 terroristbombings: from bomb factory to human injury predic tor-a multi agency approach to blast analysis. ExplosivesEngineer,: the Journal of the Institute of Explosive EngineersMarch 2013 pp15-19

10. Hake W (1886)Mezeroffs Plans for Future War Daily  Alta [Online] 21 November. Available from: http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d= DAC18861121.2.52&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN------[Accessed 4 Jun 14]

11. United Kingdom: MI5 (2014) Terrorist Training [Online]

Available from https://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/the-threats/terrorism/international-terrorism/international-terrorism-and-the-uk/terrorist-training.html [accessed 4Jun 14]

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Concept and main highlightsThe event was divided into three main

segments; the Pre-Parade segment, Parade

and Ceremony segment and Show segment.

It revolved around the theme of “Our People,

Our Home”. Fireworks were red at these

three main segments, and during the

National Anthem and Post-Parade Party.

Crescent Moon and Five Stars

The main highlights of this year NDP

reworks was the design of the high level

barge (HLB). The HLB design layout bears the

Crescent Moon and Five Stars where the

majority of the reworks as well as all the

aerial shells were deployed. The constructionof HLB was made of Cubis blocks to form the

main central structure and six protruding

legs (see gure 1a). The Fireworks Committee

presented the nation with a “Birthday Cake”

made up of 149 red ame projectors to form

the crescent moon and 49 each for ve stars,

symbolising the nation’s 49th year

celebration. This effect (gure 1b) was red

at HLB during the National Anthem.

Fireworks storagerequirementsOur LSSP sponsored the storage space for

the reworks stockpile for the entire

duration from Combined Rehearsal 1 (CR1)

till the actual NDP day. The reworks

stockpile was stored at both storehouses

approved for HD1.1, HD1.3 and HD1.4

explosives items. They were stored in the

following manner:

Safety features

Containers (gure 2) were designed with a

two-door centre opening for emergency

evacuation and maximum air venting when

opened.

Our People,Our Home:

Singapore’s 2014National Day Parade

fireworks display

By Cheong Heng Wan MSc BSc EE and

Tommy Chaw Ming Heng Dip EE

Figure 1b: Crescent moonand 5 stars fireworks effects.

Figure 1a: HLBdesign layout.

Figure 2: Storagecontainer with2-doors centre

opening.

Figure 3: Storage containerwith 2-windows formaximum ventilation.

On 9th August 2014, Singapore

celebrated her 49 years of 

independence at the Floating

Platform in Marina Bay Area. As an

integral part of the celebration

event, Singapore Armed Forces

 Ammunition Command (SAFAC),

together with Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), Local 

Storage Sponsorship Partner (LSSP)

and Local Fireworks Contractor 

(LFC), were tasked to execute the

reworks display successfully and in

a safe manner in support of the

National Day Parade (NDP) 2014.

Each container was tted with two windows

(with louvers and wire mesh protection) for

ventilation at all times during storage. This

was also to prevent the additional heat build

up due to the weather. (gure 3).

Each container had a metal column raised

about 0.5 metre from the container ceiling

and was tted with an additional roof 

painted with 10% heat reduction paint

(gure 4). This was to reduce the direct

sunlight heat. The gap between the

container ceiling and the additional roof 

allowed the transferred heat to escape

instead of direct heat to the container.

These containers were tted with lightningconductors (gure 5) and separated by inter-

wall partitions (to prevent the spreading of 

re). The gap between two containers was 5

metres (with a 2.5m gap between the

container and the partition wall).

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Inside each container there were two

portable water extinguishers (gure 6) tted

on the container ceiling to extinguish a re

in event of a re outbreak.

An intrinsic safe data logger (gure 7) with

display was placed in each of these

containers to monitor temperature and

relative humidity (RH).

Preparation of reworks

The reworks were transferred to anApproved Process Building within LSSP

premises whereby the LFC and the SAF

Ammo Command staff jointly performed

principles were used to ensure the safety of 

performers on stage:

• Enforce a safety distance of at least 3m

for stage pyro (Gerbs) away from the

ame tip of the props and stage pyro

(Comets) during ring on Tier 1 or:

• Enforce a time de-conict between the

ring and performance on stage toensure that no performers were on stage.

An analysis was conducted for each

individual effect to ensure that there was no

potential conict with the performers in

terms of time or space during the ring of 

effects. In addition, potential types of debris

were identied for each effect and

appropriate mitigating measures addressed.

The analysis concluded that we were able to

implement the safety principle seamlessly.

Fireworks hazard classicationanalysisTo ensure that the imported reworks were

properly classied, DSTA reviewed the hazard

classication according to the UN Default

Fireworks Classication Table based on the

size of rework item and percentage of “ash

composition” in the rework item. Of the 89

reworks used for NDP 2014, two reworks

are under-classied. The two items were “7

Shots Fan Salute” and “50mm crackling

Mines” and were assessed to be HD1.1G

instead of HD1.3G

The safety of HD 1.1 items were improved by

the following safety controls:

• By maintaining HD 1.1 safety distances

during bulk storage at LSSP.

• By avoiding storing HD 1.1 items with

other reworks at the HLB storage

container, by setting them up at

respective ring sites immediately upon

arrival on HLB.

Fireworks system safety analysis

The NDP Fireworks Committee, together withDSTA and LFC, conducted system safety

analysis on NDP 2014 Fireworks Display to

identify potential hazards (for all phases, i.e.

Storage, Transportation, Handling,

Preparation, Firing and Post-Firing) and

mitigated the risks to as low as reasonably

practicable level. In total, there were a total of 

12 hazards (10 residual medium risks and two

residual low risks) which were accepted by

the NDP 2014 EXCO Chairman.

A review on the past year international

reworks incidents was also conducted. Itwas concluded that the lessons learnt from

the incidents were already implemented in

the NDP 2014 Fireworks Display.

some re-packing of the reworks based on

display requirements. Standard Operating

Procedures and Risk Assessment were made

available for the process. The LFC was

briefed to comply with safety and security

procedures of the process building.

Fireworks safety templaterequirementHigh level barge (HLB)

A safety radius of 200m was established for

the reworks ring at the HLB. As this xed

distance did not take into consideration the

effect of wind conditions on the fallout

zone1 and down range carry2, DSTA adopted

“SHELLCALC” (a software approved by UK 

British Pyrotechnist Association) to evaluate

the resultant fallout zone and down range

carry when subjected to various wind

conditions. With this assessment, a

contingency plan was developed for theNDP Fireworks Chairman to decide to switch

off certain ring sequences in times of 

severe wind conditions which could result in

debris and malfunctioning shells landing on

the surrounding audiences around Marina

Bay area.

Mid Level Barge (MLB)

A safety radius of 30m was established for

the reworks ring at the MLB. This distance

was determined based on NFPA 1123. The

reworks red on MLB were angled 5

degrees backwards away from the Stage.This was to mitigate against debris from

landing on the stage area.

Towers

Similarly, the reworks red on the towers

were angled 5 degrees backwards away

from the Stage as highlighted in gure 8.

This was to mitigate against debris from

landing on the stage area.

Figure 8: Angled 5 degrees (from vertical) awayfrom the stage towards Marina Bay Sands.