BC SHIFTBOSS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Does the mixing of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil to form an explosive require any legal approval? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Yes, only if the user has received written approval of the Chief Inspector of
Explosives
"What three methods may be used to destroy AN/FO explosives?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"-By
emptying the containers into a large body of stagnant water
-By emptying them into a pit and pouring water of them
-By scattering them on the ground and then covering them with dirt.
""How is primacord destroyed?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The preferred method is by burning in the
same manner as dynamite. It must not be burned on the spool, but strung out in parallel lines at least
1cm apart.
"What is primacord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅It is detonating cord consisting of high explosive core
contained in a waterproof textile covering.
"What is the proper method of attaching a blasting cap to a line of primacord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅The cap is attached to the side of the primacord by means of friction tape or other suitable
material.
"What is a "Nonel" assembly?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A plastic shock tube coated inside with finely
powdered explosive and securely crimped to a high strength (12 grain PETN) non-electric delay
detonator.
"Can a "Nonel" cap be used to detonate all types of explosives that are cap sensitive?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Yes, the shock tube will not disturb any column of powder as the shock tube does not
explode.
"How would you hook up "Nonel" caps?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Hook up Nonel to a b-line trunk line
pulling excess tubing through the plastic connector, then attach a cap to b-line trunk line and blast.
,"Would you trim off excess Nonel tubing?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, each Nonel is a sealed unit. One
end of the tube is sealed by means of heat seals, the other end by the detonator. If excess tubing is cut
off moisture may enter and cause malfunction.
"Can Nonels be used in areas of possible stray current?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Yes, Nonels are not a
conductor of electricity.
"What is the recommended exposure time for a Nonel detonator assembly in n explosive that uses fuel
oil as a component?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅6 days (15 days for Nonel XT)
"How should a blasting cap be attached to a detonator cord such as primacord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅It should be taped into position and the end of the cap must be positioned with the base
of the cap pointing in the direction of initiation.
"How should a blasting cap be attached to a procore primer or other high strength cast primer?" -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The end of the cap should be positioned within the primer, pointed in the
direction of the main charge.
"What is the detonation velocity of detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅~22,000f/s or 6,075m/s
"Can detonating cord be lit with a match?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Detonating cord cannot be lit with a
match.
"What is the chemical composition of the explosive used in detonating cord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
"How is the explosive strength of detonating cord usually expressed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅In grams
of PETN per meter of foot of cord.
"What is a detonating connector relay?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A detonating connector relay is a
nonelectric device which provides a short interval delay in a detonation cord circuit. It is also known as a
delay connector, MS connector, or a relay.
,"How is a pigtail detonating connector attached to detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅By a
square knot or by taping together, with 4 overlap."
"What is the purpose of Nonel MS connectors?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Nonel MS connectors are used
with detonating cord to provide millisecond delay intervals along a line of propagation.
"How should detonating cord be cut?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅With a crimper, knife, or cord cuter on a
slight angle and with a pulling motion.
"Why should newly cut ends of detonating cord be sealed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Newly cut ends
should be sealed with tape or plastic sleeves to keep the explosive core clean and dry, as well as to
prevent the PETN core from spilling out.
"May a factory splice (an overlap connection secured by a string tie) as found on a reel of detonating
cord be used in a blasting circuit?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, the string should be removed and a
connection made using a standard knot.
"Are a plastic connector and a plastic detonating connector the same thing?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅No, a plastic connector is used to connect downlines to trunks. It does not contain
explosives and should not be confused with a plastic detonating connector.
"What length of overlap is recommended when taping 2 lengths of detonating cord together with
electricians tape?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅4 inches (10cm).
"What type of detonator is recommended to be used to initiate detonating cord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅A High Strength" detonator."
"How should the detonator be oriented when taped to detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The
base end of the detonator should be taped pointing in the direction of the initiation or shock wave path.
"How should detonator cord be unreeled?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅By using a handheld rod or stand.
, "What are 2 kinds of non-electric detonating delay systems?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"A) Nonel system
B) Cordline system
""There 2 types of detonating systems, name them and indicate the difference between the them.""" -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"A) The Nonel system may be used with cap sensitive explosives.
B) The Cordline system can only be used with insensitive explosives such as ANFO or slurry blasting
agent. Cordline is a low strength detonating cord having an inner core of PETN, it can side initiate
sensitive explosives. Manufactured under the name ANOLINE"".""
""What is a Nonel assembly?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A assembly is a non-electric detonator factory
crimped to a length of Nonel shock tube. It has a plastic connector for clipping onto a trunkline of
detonating cord. The assembly is a sealed unit and must not be cut to shorten the tubing.
"How is a shocktube of a Nonel detonator constructed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The shock tube is a
hollow plastic tube lined with finely powdered explosives, when properly initiated it propagates a shock
wave to the detonator causing it to explode.
"What is the velocity of propagation in the Nonel shock tube?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2,000m/s or
6,560f/s
"What is the important feature of the Nonel assembly in blasting?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The tube
remains intact during propagation and therefor has no effect on explosives in contact with it. Thus, the
Nonel assembly can be used with any explosive regardless of sensitivity.
"What are 2 types of Nonel tubing available and what are their respective uses?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅"A) Plain - for general application
B) XT - very durable and intended for deep holes and adverse conditions.
""How must Nonel tubing be stored?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Sealed, dry, and uncontaminated.
"Is Nonel tubing impervious to oil in ANFO?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, fuel oil can penetrate the
plastic tubing. Tubing must not be exposed to ANFO or other oil containing explosives in a loaded hole
for a period exceeding 6 days (15 days for Nonel XT).
Does the mixing of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil to form an explosive require any legal approval? -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Yes, only if the user has received written approval of the Chief Inspector of
Explosives
"What three methods may be used to destroy AN/FO explosives?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"-By
emptying the containers into a large body of stagnant water
-By emptying them into a pit and pouring water of them
-By scattering them on the ground and then covering them with dirt.
""How is primacord destroyed?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The preferred method is by burning in the
same manner as dynamite. It must not be burned on the spool, but strung out in parallel lines at least
1cm apart.
"What is primacord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅It is detonating cord consisting of high explosive core
contained in a waterproof textile covering.
"What is the proper method of attaching a blasting cap to a line of primacord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅The cap is attached to the side of the primacord by means of friction tape or other suitable
material.
"What is a "Nonel" assembly?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A plastic shock tube coated inside with finely
powdered explosive and securely crimped to a high strength (12 grain PETN) non-electric delay
detonator.
"Can a "Nonel" cap be used to detonate all types of explosives that are cap sensitive?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Yes, the shock tube will not disturb any column of powder as the shock tube does not
explode.
"How would you hook up "Nonel" caps?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Hook up Nonel to a b-line trunk line
pulling excess tubing through the plastic connector, then attach a cap to b-line trunk line and blast.
,"Would you trim off excess Nonel tubing?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, each Nonel is a sealed unit. One
end of the tube is sealed by means of heat seals, the other end by the detonator. If excess tubing is cut
off moisture may enter and cause malfunction.
"Can Nonels be used in areas of possible stray current?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Yes, Nonels are not a
conductor of electricity.
"What is the recommended exposure time for a Nonel detonator assembly in n explosive that uses fuel
oil as a component?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅6 days (15 days for Nonel XT)
"How should a blasting cap be attached to a detonator cord such as primacord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅It should be taped into position and the end of the cap must be positioned with the base
of the cap pointing in the direction of initiation.
"How should a blasting cap be attached to a procore primer or other high strength cast primer?" -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The end of the cap should be positioned within the primer, pointed in the
direction of the main charge.
"What is the detonation velocity of detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅~22,000f/s or 6,075m/s
"Can detonating cord be lit with a match?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Detonating cord cannot be lit with a
match.
"What is the chemical composition of the explosive used in detonating cord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅Pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
"How is the explosive strength of detonating cord usually expressed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅In grams
of PETN per meter of foot of cord.
"What is a detonating connector relay?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A detonating connector relay is a
nonelectric device which provides a short interval delay in a detonation cord circuit. It is also known as a
delay connector, MS connector, or a relay.
,"How is a pigtail detonating connector attached to detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅By a
square knot or by taping together, with 4 overlap."
"What is the purpose of Nonel MS connectors?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Nonel MS connectors are used
with detonating cord to provide millisecond delay intervals along a line of propagation.
"How should detonating cord be cut?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅With a crimper, knife, or cord cuter on a
slight angle and with a pulling motion.
"Why should newly cut ends of detonating cord be sealed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Newly cut ends
should be sealed with tape or plastic sleeves to keep the explosive core clean and dry, as well as to
prevent the PETN core from spilling out.
"May a factory splice (an overlap connection secured by a string tie) as found on a reel of detonating
cord be used in a blasting circuit?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, the string should be removed and a
connection made using a standard knot.
"Are a plastic connector and a plastic detonating connector the same thing?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅No, a plastic connector is used to connect downlines to trunks. It does not contain
explosives and should not be confused with a plastic detonating connector.
"What length of overlap is recommended when taping 2 lengths of detonating cord together with
electricians tape?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅4 inches (10cm).
"What type of detonator is recommended to be used to initiate detonating cord?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅A High Strength" detonator."
"How should the detonator be oriented when taped to detonating cord?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The
base end of the detonator should be taped pointing in the direction of the initiation or shock wave path.
"How should detonator cord be unreeled?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅By using a handheld rod or stand.
, "What are 2 kinds of non-electric detonating delay systems?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"A) Nonel system
B) Cordline system
""There 2 types of detonating systems, name them and indicate the difference between the them.""" -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅"A) The Nonel system may be used with cap sensitive explosives.
B) The Cordline system can only be used with insensitive explosives such as ANFO or slurry blasting
agent. Cordline is a low strength detonating cord having an inner core of PETN, it can side initiate
sensitive explosives. Manufactured under the name ANOLINE"".""
""What is a Nonel assembly?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A assembly is a non-electric detonator factory
crimped to a length of Nonel shock tube. It has a plastic connector for clipping onto a trunkline of
detonating cord. The assembly is a sealed unit and must not be cut to shorten the tubing.
"How is a shocktube of a Nonel detonator constructed?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The shock tube is a
hollow plastic tube lined with finely powdered explosives, when properly initiated it propagates a shock
wave to the detonator causing it to explode.
"What is the velocity of propagation in the Nonel shock tube?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅2,000m/s or
6,560f/s
"What is the important feature of the Nonel assembly in blasting?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The tube
remains intact during propagation and therefor has no effect on explosives in contact with it. Thus, the
Nonel assembly can be used with any explosive regardless of sensitivity.
"What are 2 types of Nonel tubing available and what are their respective uses?" - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅"A) Plain - for general application
B) XT - very durable and intended for deep holes and adverse conditions.
""How must Nonel tubing be stored?""" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Sealed, dry, and uncontaminated.
"Is Nonel tubing impervious to oil in ANFO?" - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅No, fuel oil can penetrate the
plastic tubing. Tubing must not be exposed to ANFO or other oil containing explosives in a loaded hole
for a period exceeding 6 days (15 days for Nonel XT).
