Blasting is usually required on construction sites for the installation of sanitary sewer lines which are placed fairly deep and often below bedrock.

The Fire Department is responsible for issuing and maintaining records of all explosives and Blasting Permits. For additional information on blasting or site-specific concerns, please contact the Fire Department at 913/888-6066.

Minimum qualifications:
All blasting operations shall be carried out only by skilled and experience personnel who are currently licensed by the state of Kansas to conduct blasting operations. For additional information contact the State Fire Marshal at 785/296-0660.

Notification requirements:
Whoever does the blasting is required by ordinance to notify adjoining property owners within 500 feet when and where blasting will occur. Additionally, they must offer to do a pre-blast survey.

Pre-blast survey:
This survey is an inspection, usually photographed or videotaped, of the foundation and other parts of homes or other structures to document conditions prior to blasting. Technically, inspections are prescribed by a contractor's insurance carrier.

You have the right to refuse a pre-blast survey, yet they are done for your own protection. A pre-blast survey documents conditions before blasting is done. All parties are then aware of any damage caused by the blasting operations.

A pre-blast survey is done only if your house is within 500 feet of the blasting site.

How blasting is monitored:
Seismographs must be placed on the site to monitor vibration levels. A seismograph is typically placed on the property line at the closest home or structure. The maximum peak particle velocity at any such recording site must not exceed one inch per second. The standard was set because it is one half of the level set by the federal government as being safe for frame houses. Although people start feeling blasts at .05 inches per second, a structure can withstand considerably higher levels.

Blasting can be done anywhere on an adjoining property as long as it is done in a manner that does not damage adjoining property and seismograph readings do not exceed one inch per second.

Additionally, blasting operations must be carried out in such a manner that they will not cause fly rock or damage from air blast overpressure or ground vibration.

City inspections of blasting operations:
The blasting contractor must keep a daily blasting log for all blasting operations and make it available for inspection by the Fire Department. Fire inspectors also may make periodic inspections and check the seismograph records, but are not present at all blasting operations.

To report blasting damage:
Contact the Overland Park Fire Department at 913/438-4888, ext. 231, or rhonda.schneider@opkansas.org or mark.sweany@opkansas.org. He/she can check the blasting and monitoring records to see if any violations have occurred.