Glossary
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B.R.A.C - Base Realignment and Closure Act
Blow-in-place (BIP) - Disposing of UXO through explosives, in the location where they were discovered.
Buried munitions - Munitions that have been buried for disposal. The intent of disposal distinguishes these munitions from UXO that have been buried as part their intended use
C.T.T - closed, transferred, and transferring ranges
Caliber - The diameter of a projectile or the diameter of the bore of a gun or launching tube. Caliber is usually expressed in millimeters or inches. In some instances (primarily with naval ordnance), caliber is also used as a measure of the length of a weapon’s barrel.For example, the term “5 inch 38 caliber” describes a munition used in a 5-inch gun with a barrel length that is 38 times the diameter of the bore.
Casing - The manufactured portion of a munition that is built to hold an explosive charge and the mechanism required to fire this charge.
Chain of Custody - The activities and procedures taken throughout the inspection, re-inspection and documentation to maintain positive control of MPPEH to ensure the veracity of the process used to determine the status of material as to its explosive hazard. This includes all such activities from the time of collection through final disposition.
Chemical Agent (CA) - A chemical compound that produces lethal or other damaging effects on human beings and is intended for use in military operations. Research, development, testing and evaluation (RDTE) solutions; riot control agents; chemical defoliants and herbicides; smoke and other obscuration materials; flame and incendiary materials; and industrial chemicals do not classify as chemical agents.
Chemical Agent (CA) Hazard - A situation resulting from the danger resulting from chemical agents being present in a concentration high enough to present potential harm (e.g., death, injury, damage) to people, operational capability, or the environment.
Closed range - A decommissioned military range that has been put to new uses that are incompatible with range activities or is not considered by the military to be a potential range area. A closed range is still under the control of a DOD component
Construction Support - Assistance provided by DoD EOD or UXO-qualified personnel and/or by personnel trained and qualified for operations involving CA during intrusive construction activities on property known or suspected to contain UXO, other munitions that may have experienced abnormal environments (e.g., DMM), munitions constituents in high enough concentrations to pose an explosive hazard, or CA to ensure the safety of personnel or resources from any potential explosive or CA hazards.
Cultural Debris - Materials found on operational ranges or munitions response sites that are not related to munitions or range operations. These may include, but are not limited to: rebar, household items (refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), automobile parts and automobiles that were not associated with range targets, fence posts, fence wire, and magnetic rocks.
D.D.E.S.B - Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board
DDESB TP-18 - The Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board document outlining the minimum qualifications for UXO Technicians and personnel. The full document can be found here (right-click to open in new tab): http://www.ddesb.pentagon.mil/TP18_122004.pdf
Defense Sites - Locations that are or were possessed or used by the Department of Defense. The term does not include any operational range, operating storage or manufacturing facility, or facility that is used for or was permitted for the treatment or disposal of military munitions. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(1))
Department of Defense (DoD) - The Executive Branch agency responsible for maintaining National defense. The DoD is comprised of the military Services (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps), Defense Agencies, and their respective components, including the Reserve Forces and National Guard.
Detonation - A violent chemical reaction within a chemical compound or mechanical mixture evolving heat and pressure. The result of the chemical reaction is exertion of extremely high pressure on the surrounding medium, forming a propagating shock wave that originally is of supersonic velocity. A detonation, when the material is located on or near the ground surface, is normally characterized by a crater.
Discarded Military Munitions (DMM) - Military munitions that have been abandoned without proper disposal or removed from storage in a military magazine or other storage area for the purpose of disposal. The term does not include unexploded ordnance, military munitions that are being held for future use or planned disposal, or military munitions that have been properly disposed of consistent with applicable environmental laws and regulations. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(2))
Documentation of the Explosives Safety Status of Material - Documentation attesting that material: (1) does not present an explosive hazard and is consequently safe for unrestricted transfer within or release from DoD control, or (2) is MPPEH, with the known or suspected explosive hazards stated, that is only transferable or releasable to a qualified receiver. This documentation must be signed by a technically qualified individual with direct knowledge of: (1) the results of both the material’s 100 percent inspection and 100 percent re-inspection or of the approved process used and the appropriate level of re-inspection, and (2) the veracity of the chain-of-custody for the material. This signature is followed by the signature of another technically qualified individual who inspects the material on a sampling basis (sampling procedures are determined by DoD entity that is inspecting the material).
DoD Explosives Safety Board (DDESB) - The DoD organization charged with promulgation of ammunition and explosives safety policy and standards, and with reporting on the effectiveness of the implementation of such policy and standards.
EOD incident - The suspected or detected presence of a UXO or damaged military munitions that constitutes a hazard to operations, installations, personnel, or material.
Explosion - A chemical reaction of any compound or mixture involving a very rapid combustion or decomposition, releasing large volumes of highly heated gases that exert pressure on the surrounding medium. The rate of energy release determines whether the explosion is categorized as a deflagration, a detonation, or a pressure rupture.
Explosive - A substance or mixture of substances that can undergo a rapid anaerobic chemical change generating large quantities of energy.
Explosive Hazard - A condition where danger exists because explosives are present that may lead to an incident causing to people, property, operational capability, or the environment.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) - The detection, identification, on-site evaluation, rendering safe, recovery, and final disposal of unexploded ordnance that potentially pose a danger due to damage or deterioration.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Personnel - EOD personnel have received specialized training to handle, and neutralize, explosive and CA hazards during both peacetime and wartime. EOD personnel are trained and equipped to perform Render Safe Procedures (RSP) on nuclear, biological, chemical, and conventional munitions, and on improvised explosive devices.
Explosive Weapons - Explosive weapons use “high explosives” to detonate. The detonation process requires that the explosive shock front passes through the material at supersonic speed. Explosive weapons detonate with explosive velocity rates that range from 3,000 to 9,000 m/sec.
Former Range - An operational range that was (a) closed by a formal decision made by the Component with administrative control over the range, or (b) was put to a use that was incompatible with its continued use as an operational range. The term includes closed, transferring and transferred ranges.
Fragmentation - The breaking up of the confining material of a chemical compound or mechanical mixture when an explosion occurs
Fuse - A device designed to initiate an explosion, detonation, or train of fire in a munition.
Illumination - Munitions that are designed to produce a high intensity light. Illumination munitions usually contain a flare and may contain a parachute for suspension in the air.
Incendiary - Any flammable material, included in munitions, used to destroy a target by propagating fire.
Interim Holding Facility (IHF) - A temporary storage facility designed to hold recovered chemical warfare material (RCWM).
Land Use Controls (LUC) - LUC are physical (fences, etc.), legal, or administrative mechanisms that restrict the use of, or limit access to, real property to manage risks to human health and the environment.
Long-term Management (LTMgt) - The period of site management (including maintenance, monitoring, record keeping, 5-year reviews, etc.) initiated after response (removal or remedial) objectives have been met.
M.E.C - Munitions and Explosives of Concern. MEC is an alternate term for UXO.
Material Potentially Presenting an Explosive Hazard (MPPEH) - Material containing enough explosive substances to pose a risk of explosion. Excluded from this categorization are munitions within DoD’s established munitions management system and other hazardous items that may present explosion hazards (e.g., gasoline cans, compressed gas cylinders) that are not munitions and are not intended for use as munitions.
Maximum Credible Event (MCE) - The worst single event that is likely to occur from a given quantity and disposition of military munitions. Used in hazards evaluation as a basis for effects calculations and casualty predictions.
Military Munitions - Munitions created for the purpose of national defense and security, including ammunition products or components under the control of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Guard. The term does not include wholly inert items, improvised explosive devices, and nuclear weapons, nuclear devices, and nuclear components, other than non-nuclear components of nuclear devices that are managed under the nuclear weapons program of the Department of Energy.
Military Range - An area designated for the testing of military technology and the training of personnel. Ranges include firing lines and positions, maneuver areas, firing lines, test pads, detonation pads, impact areas, and buffer zones with restricted access and exclusionary areas. This term does not apply to areas where military munitions have not been used.
Minimum Separation Distance (MSD) - MSD is the minimum range that personnel must keep from an intentional or unintentional detonation.
Munition with the Greatest Fragmentation Distance (MGFD) - The munition with the greatest fragment distance that is reasonably expected (based on research or characterization) to be encountered in any particular area.
Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) - This term, which distinguishes specific categories of military munitions that may pose unique explosives safety risks means: (A) Unexploded ordnance (UXO), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(e)(5); (B) Discarded military munitions (DMM), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(2); or (C) Munitions constituents (e.g., TNT, RDX), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(3), present in high enough concentrations to pose an explosive hazard.
Munitions Constituents (MC) - Any materials originating from unexploded ordnance (UXO), discarded military munitions (DMM), or other military munitions, including explosive and non-explosive materials, and emission, degradation, or breakdown elements of such ordnance or munitions. (10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(3)).
Munitions Response - Response actions, including investigation, removal actions and remedial actions to address the risks presented by UXO, DMM, or MC, or the determination that no removal or remedial action is required.
Munitions Response Area (MRA) - Any area on a defense site that is known or suspected to contain UXO, DMM, or MC. These can include former ranges and munitions burial areas. A munitions response area is comprised of one or more munitions response sites.
Munitions Response Site (MRS) - A discrete location within an MRA that is known to require a munitions response.
On-call UXO Construction Support - Support provided, on an as needed basis, by UXO-qualified personnel during intrusive construction activities on property known or suspected to contain UXO, where the probability of encountering such has been determined to be low. This support can respond from off-site when called, or be on-site and available to provide required construction support.
On-site UXO Construction Support - Dedicated support provided by UXO-qualified personnel during construction activities on property known or suspected to contain UXO or other munitions that have experienced abnormal environments where the probability of encountering such has been determined to be moderate to high.
On-the-Surface - A situation in which UXO is: (A) entirely or partially exposed above the ground surface (i.e., the top of the soil layer); or (B) entirely or partially exposed above the surface of a water body (e.g., as a result of tidal activity).
One Percent Lethality Distance - A distance calculated from a given CA Maximum Credible Event (MCE) and meteorological conditions and established as the distance at which dosage from that MCE agent release would be 150 mg-min/m 3 for H and HD agents, 75 mg-min/m3 for HT agent, 150 mg-min/m3 for Lewisite, 10 mg-min/m3 for GB agent, 4.3 mg-min/m3 for VX vapor, and 0.1 mg-min/m3 for inhalation and deposition of liquid VX.
Open Burn (OB) - An open-air combustion process by which excess, unserviceable, or obsolete munitions are destroyed to eliminate their inherent explosive hazards.
Open Detonation (OD) - An open-air process used for the treatment of excess, unserviceable or obsolete munitions whereby an explosive donor charge initiates the munitions being treated.
Operational Range - A range that is under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of the Secretary of Defense and that is used for range activities; or although not currently being used for range activities, that is still considered by the Secretary to be a range and has not been put to a new use that is incompatible with range activities. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(3)(A) and (B)). Also includes “military range,” “active range,” and “inactive range” as those terms are defined in 40 CFR S266.201. (See reference (f)).
Ordnance and Explosives (OE) - See Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC). This term, which distinguishes specific categories of military munitions that may pose unique explosives safety risks means: (A) Unexploded ordnance (UXO), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(e)(5); (B) Discarded military munitions (DMM), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(2); or (C) Munitions constituents (e.g., TNT, RDX), as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2710(e)(3), present in high enough concentrations to pose an explosive hazard.
PEP - propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics
Primary Explosives - Primary explosives are highly sensitive compounds that are typically used in detonators and primers. A reaction is easily triggered by heat, spark, impact or friction. Examples of primary explosives are lead azide and mercury fulminate.
Propellant - An agent such as an explosive powder or fuel that can be made to provide the necessary energy for propelling a monition.
Public Access Exclusion Distance (PAED) - The PAED is defined as longest distance of the hazardous fragment distance, IBD for overpressure, or the One Percent Lethality Distance. For siting purposes, the PAED is analogous to the IBD for explosives; therefore, personnel not directly associated with the chemical operations are not to be allowed within the PAED.
Q-D - Quantity-Distance
Qualified Receiver - Entities that have personnel who are, or individuals who are, trained and experienced in the identification and safe handling of used and unused military munitions, and any known or potential explosive hazards that may be associated with the MPPEH they receive; and are licensed and permitted or otherwise qualified to receive, manage, and process MPPEH.
Range activities - Research, development, testing, and evaluation of military munitions, other ordnance, and weapons systems; and the training of members of the armed forces in the use and handling of military munitions, other ordnance, and weapons systems. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(2)(A) and (B))
Render Safe Procedures (RSP) - The portion of EOD procedures that involves the application of special disposal methods or tools to interrupt the functioning or otherwise defeat the firing train of UXO from triggering an unacceptable detonation.
Secondary Explosives - Secondary explosives are generally less sensitive to initiation than primary explosives and are typically used in booster and main charge applications. A severe shock is usually required to trigger a reaction. Examples are TNT, cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX or cyclonite), HMX, and tetryl.
T.N.T - Trinitrotoluene
Team Separation Distance (TSD) - The distance that munitions response teams must be separated from each other during munitions response activities involving intrusive operations.
Technical Escort Unit (TEU) - A DoD organization manned with specially trained personnel that provide verification, sampling, detection, mitigation, render safe, decontamination, packaging, escort and remediation of chemical, biological and industrial devices or hazardous material.
Technology-aided Surface Removal - A removal of UXO, DMM or CWM on the surface (i.e., the top of the soil layer) only, in which the detection process is primarily performed visually, but is augmented by technology aids (e.g., hand-held magnetometers or metal detectors) because vegetation, the weathering of UXO, DMM or CWM, or other factors make visual detection difficult.
Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) - Removal actions where, based on the site evaluation, a determination is made that a removal is appropriate, and that less than 6 months exists before on-site removal activity must begin. (40 CFR 300.5)
Transferred Range - A military range that is no longer under the control of a DoD component and has been leased, transferred, or returned to another entity including federal entities.
Transferring Range - A military range that is proposed to be transferred from DoD to another federal entity or disposed of by conveying title to a non-federal entity.
U.S.A.C.E - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S.A.E.C - U.S Army Environmental Center
U.S.A.T.C.E.S - U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) - Military munitions that (A) have been primed, fuzed, armed, or otherwise prepared for action; (B) have been fired, dropped, launched, projected, or placed in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to operations, installations, personnel, or material; and (C) remain unexploded either by malfunction, design, or any other cause. (10 U.S.C. 101(e)(5)(A) through (C)))
UXO Avoidance - Techniques employed on property known or suspected to contain UXO or other munitions that have experienced abnormal environments, to avoid contact with potential explosive or CA hazards, to allow entry to the area for the performance of required operations.
UXO Technicians - Personnel who are qualified for and filling Department of Labor, Service Contract Act, Directory of Occupations, and contractor positions of UXO Technician I, UXO Technician II, and UXO Technician III.
UXO-Qualified Personnel - Personnel who have performed successfully in military EOD positions, or are qualified to perform in the following Department of Labor, Service Contract Act, Directory of Occupations, contractor positions: UXO Technician II, UXO Technician III, UXO Safety Officer, UXO Quality Control Specialist, or Senior UXO Supervisor.
Venting - Exposing any internal cavities of MPPEH, to include training or practice munitions (e.g., concrete bombs), using DDESB- or DoD Component-approved procedures, to confirm that an explosive hazard is not present.
Waste Military Munition - Unused munitions that has been abandoned by being disposed of or removed from storage for purposes of; is deteriorated, leaking, or damaged to the point that it is unserviceable; or has been determined by an authorized military official to be solid waste. Also, used or fired military munitions that have been removed from its landing spot and then either managed off-range or disposed of on-range.