It is worth noting that various explosives require an initial detonator. This detonator must be in contact with the explosive to ignite it, either by means of a fuse, power cord, or other methods. To make a judgment about the ignition process, we must first take a closer look at the multiple possibilities of ignition.
Let us start our analysis by listing the ignition possibilities as precisely and comprehensively as possible. Some of the common ignition possibilities are detonating cords and ignition amplifiers (boosters), shock tubes and ignition pills, electric detonators and their timing, E-Matches and squibs, use of taggers, ignition devices, and ignition keys, and blasting accessories such as ignition machines, ignition machine testers, ignition switches, ignition current distributors, ignition circuit testers, ignition wire, extension wire, end-circuit measuring devices, stray current measuring device, and ignition connectors.
Now let's move on to the things that we may already encounter on the way to the detection site or operation site, and which must also be included in our training.
Detonating Cord
The detonating cord consists of the inner core, the so-called core, which is made of powdered PETN, but also of hexogen and octogen. This core is mechanically wrapped with foil and covered with threads of plastic and cotton threads. We already have PETN on page 69/70 in our list of substances to be trained. Therefore, the substance can also be conditioned via the detonating cord (if it is made of it – read the manufacturer’s note), but there may be some cross-smells from the manufacture with it, such as plastic and cotton.
Ignition Booster (Primer)
Ignition boosters are made of highly explosive materials, for example, either TNT, PETN, RDX and their mixtures. Theirfore, they must also be trained.
Detonator
A blasting cap is a closed metal shell that holds both a primary and a secondary charge. Typically, lead azide is used for the primary charge as an initial explosive, while the secondary charge primarily comprises of nitropenta. The detonator can only be made through the use of a fuse, commonly known as a powder rim fuse, which always contains black powder.At the latest now, we know why black powder is to be trained, and this leads us to the actually dangerous detonator. Therefore, nitropenta and black powder must be trained for this purpose.