The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

NOTES TO PART A

1.  Ammonium nitrate: fertilisers capable of self-sustaining decomposition

This applies to ammonium nitrate-based compound/composite fertilisers (compound/composite fertilisers containing ammonium nitrate with phosphate and/ or potash) in which the nitrogen content as a result of ammonium nitrate is

(a) between 15.75 per cent (1) and 24.5 per cent(2) by weight, and either with not more than 0.4 per cent total combustible/organic materials or which satisfy the detonation resistance test described in Schedule 2 to the Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003(3),

(b) 15.75 per cent by weight or less and unrestricted combustible materials,

and which are capable of self-sustaining decomposition according to the UN Trough Test (see United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, sub-section 38.2).

2.  Ammonium nitrate: fertiliser grade

This applies to straight ammonium nitrate-based fertilisers and to ammonium nitrate-based compound/composite fertilisers in which the nitrogen content as a result of ammonium nitrate is

(a) more than 24.5 per cent by weight, except for mixtures of ammonium nitrate with dolomite, limestone and/or calcium carbonate with a purity of at least 90 per cent,

(b) more than 15.75 per cent by weight for mixtures of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate,

(c) more than 28 per cent(4) by weight for mixtures of ammonium nitrate with dolomite, limestone and/or calcium carbonate with a purity of at least 90 per cent,

and which satisfy the detonation resistance test described in Schedule 2 to the Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003.

3.  Ammonium nitrate: technical grade

This applies to

(a) ammonium nitrate and preparations of ammonium nitrate in which the nitrogen content as a result of the ammonium nitrate is

(i) between 24.5 per cent and 28 per cent by weight, and which contain not more than 0.4 per cent combustible substances,

(ii) more than 28 per cent by weight, and which contain not more than 0.2 per cent combustible substances,

(b) aqueous ammonium nitrate solutions in which the concentration of ammonium nitrate is more than 80 per cent by weight.

4.  Ammonium nitrate: “off-specs” material and fertilisers not fulfilling the detonation resistance test

This applies to

(a) material rejected during the manufacturing process and to ammonium nitrate and preparations of ammonium nitrate, straight ammonium nitrate-based fertilisers and ammonium nitrate-based compound/composite fertilisers referred to in Notes 2 and 3, that are being or have been returned from the final user to a manufacturer, temporary storage or reprocessing plant for reworking, recycling or treatment for safe use, because they no longer comply with the specifications of Notes 2 and 3; and

(b) fertilisers referred to in Note 1(a) and Note 2 which do not satisfy the detonation resistance test described in Schedule 2 to the Ammonium Nitrate Materials (High Nitrogen Content) Safety Regulations 2003.

5.  Potassium nitrate: composite potassium-nitrate based fertilisers composed of potassium nitrate in prilled/granular form.

6.  Potassium nitrate: composite potassium-nitrate based fertilisers composed of potassium nitrate in crystalline form.

7.  Polychlorodibenzofurans and polychlorodibenzodioxins.

The quantities of polychlorodibenzofurans and polychlorodibenzodioxins are calculated using the following factors:

International Toxic Equivalent Factors (ITEF) for the congeners of concern (NATO/CCMS)(5)
2,3,7,8-TCDD	1	2,3,7,8-TCDF	0.1
1,2,3,7,8-Pe-CDD	0.5	2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF	0.5
		1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF	0.05
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD	0.1	1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF	0.1
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD	0.1	1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF	0.1
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD	0.1	1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF	0.1
		2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF	0.1
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD	0.01
OCDD	0.001	1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF	0.01
		1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF	0.01
		OCDF	0.001
(T=tetra, Pe=penta, Hx=hexa, Hp=hepta, O=octa)

8.  Entry number 67

The controlled quantity of 25 tonnes in column 2 of entry 67 refers, in case of a mixture of substances, to the quantity of substances within the mixture held above their boiling point (measured at 1 bar absolute).

(1)

15.75 per cent nitrogen content by weight as a result of ammonium nitrate corresponds to 45 per cent ammonium nitrate

(2)

24.5 per cent nitrogen content by weight as a result of ammonium nitrate corresponds to 70 per cent ammonium nitrate

(3)

S.I. 2003/1082

(4)

28 per cent nitrogen content by weight as a result of ammonium nitrate corresponds to 80 per cent ammonium nitrate.

(5)

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation/Committee for the Challenges of Modern Society