Explosives Safety 101: DDESB/DWESO Technical Papers
- Tyler Ross, PhD, PE
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
DDESB/DWESO Technical Papers provide implementable criteria and approved analysis methodologies for complex explosives safety site planning and hazards analyses. These authoritative references are used throughout the DoW and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
The Department of War Explosives Safety Office (DWESO), formerly named the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) began publishing official guidance in the form of Technical Papers (TP) as early as 1945. Today, a total of 26 TPs have been published, with less than half of those still in use as accepted criteria. This article will describe the TPs still in use today, as well as what is known of the previous TPs.
Importance and Application
These Technical Papers form the foundation of DoW explosives safety policy and practice. They are:
Regularly Updated: The DWESO continuously revises these documents as new testing data, research, and operational experience become available
Legally Referenced: Many TPs are incorporated by reference into DoD instructions and service-specific regulations
Widely Applied: Used by safety professionals, engineers, planners, and commanders across all military services and DoD agencies
Peer-Reviewed: Technical papers undergo rigorous review by DoD components and DWESO staff before publication
Accessing the Technical Papers
All current available DWESO Technical Papers are found on the DWESO website. Some TPs are limited distribution and are not available on the website. Users should always verify they are using the most current revision of any technical paper, as updates can significantly impact requirements and approved processes.
Current Technical Papers
The following TPs are still in publication and use. A brief synopsis is given for each.
TP-10: Methodology for Chemical Hazard Prediction
This technical paper establishes standardized approaches for predicting and assessing chemical hazards associated with explosive materials and munitions. It provides methodologies that help safety professionals evaluate potential chemical risks in various scenarios involving explosives operations.
TP-13: Prediction of Building Debris for Quantity-Distance Siting
TP-13 is likely the oldest document on the list that is still in use. This TP was published April 1991. This reference and the associated software tools are used to predict hazardous fragmentation distance specifically for secondary (structural) debris. The original model was incorporated into the Multiple Debris Missile Impact Simulation (MUDEMIMP) code which built upon prior SHOCK and FRANG codes to estimate the impulse imparted into structural elements. Debris throw mass and velocities are estimated to calculate debris trajectory. The model simulates some elements of debris tumble and roll. The NEW of the original tool was limited to 250 lbs.
Multiple updates have occurred over the last 20 years, incorporating the calculations into the NAVFAC EXWC “ConBlast” software. Additional advancements include incorporating TrajCan trajectory calculations and increasing the allowable NEW. Analyses from these tools are accepted for explosives site planning when properly used.
TP-14: Approved Methods and Algorithms for DoD Risk-Based Explosives Siting
One of the most complex and important DDESB documents, TP-14 defines the approved quantitative risk assessment (QRA) methodology for evaluating and accepting risks associated with explosives storage and activities. The current revision (4a, published March 2017) provides comprehensive risk and consequence calculations based on recent advances in modeling explosion effects and structural response. The methodology considers probability of events as a function of activity type, exposure of various population groups, and consequences given the occurrence of an event (see Figure 1). TP-14 establishes criteria for acceptable risk levels to both individuals and population groups and has been incorporated into DoD ammunition and explosives safety standards. The DWESO accepts TP-14 analyses as approved site plans.
TP-15: Approved Protective Construction
TP-15 is a comprehensive record of historically significant information about the origin and evolution of protective construction designs. This extensive document provides a historical perspective on how explosives safety criteria developed and documents approved protective construction designs to assist in assessing existing facilities and developing new ones. Approved designs for storage magazines are also coordinated and maintained on the US Whole Building Design Guide.).
Key content includes:
Magazine History: Evolution of magazine design from pre-1928 through modern times, including significant testing that has impacted design and siting criteria
Earth-Covered Magazines (ECM): Detailed criteria for 7-Bar, 3-Bar, and Undefined ECM designs, including typical features and structural components
Protective Features: Comprehensive information on barricades, suppressive shields, UXO demolition containers, Navy Missile Test Cells, and Substantial Dividing Walls
Hardened Aircraft Shelters: Design standards and criteria for aircraft protection
Approved Designs: Four detailed tables listing approved ECM designs, magazines with reduced quantity-distance criteria, and transportation containers
TP-16: Methodologies for Calculating Primary Fragment Characteristics
TP-16 provides DWESO-approved methodologies for calculating the characteristics of primary fragments from explosive events. This technical paper is essential for safety planning and includes methodologies for:
Primary fragment mass and velocity calculations
Maximum fragment range determinations
Hazardous fragment distance calculations
Effects of detonating stacks of items
Effects of detonating buried items
Fragment penetration information
The document mathematically models fragment dispersion for hundreds of different munitions types, ranging from grenades to 2,000-pound bombs, making it the primary reference for fragment-related safety assessments.
TP-18: Minimum Qualifications for Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Technicians and Personnel
This technical paper establishes the minimum qualifications and certification requirements for personnel conducting munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) related activities. The document ensures that personnel working with UXO have appropriate training, experience, and certification, including special provisions for dive-qualified personnel conducting underwater MEC operations.
TP-20: DDESB Blast Effects Computer – Open (BEC-O) Version 1 User's Manual and Documentation
Published June 11, 2018, TP-20 documents the “open” version of the Blast Effects Computer, making blast effects calculation capabilities more widely accessible. The BEC-O tool allows users to perform blast effects calculations for various scenarios, with accompanying spreadsheet tools to facilitate analysis.
TP-21: Procedures for the Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation of Explosion-Produced Debris
Revision 2 of this technical paper establishes standardized procedures for handling explosion-produced debris. This is critical for post-incident investigation, forensic analysis, and understanding explosion characteristics. The document provides methodologies for systematic debris collection, analysis techniques, interpretation of debris patterns and characteristics, and documentation and reporting procedures.
TP-23: Assessing Explosives Safety Risks, Deviations, and Consequences
TP-23 (Revision 2, published June 3, 2019) provides comprehensive guidance on assessing explosives safety risks, evaluating deviations from standard safety criteria, and determining consequences. The document introduces the Munitions Risk Management Assessment (MRMA) process and includes:
Risk assessment methodologies
Tools for evaluating explosives safety deviations
Consequence analysis frameworks
The Explosives Safety and Munitions Risk Management (ESMRM) assessment process
Integration with Risk-Based Explosives Safety Siting (RBESS) tools
This technical paper is particularly valuable for installations dealing with legacy facilities or operational constraints that prevent full compliance with standard quantity-distance criteria.
TP-26: Guidance for Required Explosives Safety Submissions
Published January 30, 2014, TP-26 provides DDESB guidance for explosives safety site plans and elaborates on requirements outlined in DoD instructions and manuals. The document covers:
Site Plan Types: Quantity-Distance Site Plans (QDSPs), Chemical Safety Submissions, Munitions Response Explosives Safety Submissions, and Hybrid Site Plans
Submission Requirements: What documentation must be submitted to the DDESB for review and approval
Coordination Procedures: How to coordinate between host installations, tenants, and different military services
Risk-Based Site Plans: Guidance for facilities using risk-based approaches
TP-26 streamlines the site plan preparation process and facilitates efficient review at all levels of the explosives safety community.
Historical Listing of All Technical Papers
I always like to know what came before the documents we use today. Here is a listing of the information I’ve been able to find on previous DDESB TPs. If you have information to help fill in any gaps in the list (e.g., TP-2, 6, 8, 9, etc.) please reach out and let me know.
TP-1: The Present Status of the American Table of Distances,” Washington D.C., July 1, 1945 (referenced in TP-15)
TP-3: Igloo tests – June 1946 (Referenced in TP-4) “Army-Navy Explosives Safety Board”
TP-4: 1946 – Scale model igloo magazine explosion tests – Aug 1946
TP-5: 1946 – Igloo and Revetment Tests – Oct 1946
TP-7: Glass and Plaster Damage from small explosions – March 1950 “Armed Services Explosives Safety Board”
TP-10: Chemical Hazard Prediction methodology
TP-11: A Computer Program for Predicting Casualties and Damage from Accidental Explosions
TP-12: Fragment and Debris Hazards
TP-13: Prediction of Building Debris for Quantity-Distance Siting, April 1991
TP-14: Risk-Based Explosives Siting methods and algorithms
TP-15: Approved Protective Construction (the most detailed, covering magazine designs and protective features)
TP-16: Primary Fragment Characteristics calculations
TP-17: Blast Effects Computer documentation
TP-18: UXO Technician qualifications
TP-19: Safety Assessment for Explosives Risk – User’s Reference for the SAFER software
TP-20: Blast Effects Computer - Open version
TP-21: Explosion-Produced Debris procedures
TP-22: Lightning Protection
TP-23: Assessing Explosives Safety Risks and Deviations
TP-26: Guidance for Required Explosives Safety Submissions
Contact The Schreifer Group
You can find more articles about explosives safety on our website (Explosives Safety Articles). If you are looking for assistance with explosives safety site planning, please visit our website to learn more about how The Schreifer Group can help. Our growing team of seven explosives safety SMEs are ready to support you.
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