DETONATING SIGNAL

DETONATING SIGNAL GR- 3.59, 3.60. 3.61, SR. 3.61-1, GR. 3.62, 3.63, 3.64, SR. 3.64-1,2,3,4,5 

Detonating Signals, otherwise known as detonators or fog signals, are appliances which are fixed on the rails and when an engine or a vehicle passes over them, they explode with a loud report so as to attract the attention of the Loco Pilot.

• A detonator when required to be used shall be placed on the rail with the label or brand facing upwards and shall be fixed to the rail by bending the clasps around the head of the rail. 
• In case of mixed gauge, detonators shall be placed on the common rail or on one rail of each gauge. 
• It is stored in a small red colored tin case. 
• The date and year of manufacturing is written on the detonators. 
• The detonators are provided to all the staffs directly related to operation of train i.e. SM, Loco Pilot, Guard, Motor Man, Petrol Man, Gate Man etc. they all are supplied with a box of 10 detonators in their personal store. 
• The Normal shelf life of detonators manufactured during 2010 & thereafter shall be 5 years, reckoned from the year of its manufacture. It can however be extended for maximum of 3 more years, provided that detonators which are more than 5 year old are effective. For this purpose 02 detonators of each batch / lot should be tested at end of 5 years and if the result of these test are satisfactory, life of detonator of that batch should be extended for 01 more year, on expiry of which similar tests should be conducted annually to extend the life of detonators of that particular batch / lot up to a maximum of 08 years from the date of manufacture. After the expiry of this period, unused detonators shall be returned to the issuing officer for replacement.

 STORAGE OF DETONATORS- SR. 3.64-3 

a) Detonators must carefully be handled as they are liable to explode if handled roughly.

b) Detonators shall be kept in the tin cases specially supplied and they shall be stored in dry places and not left in contact with the brick walls, damp wood, chloride or lime or other disinfectants, nor exposed to dampness or steam or other vapors.

c) Detonators must be used in the orders of their manufacturing dates stamped on them. Those of the oldest date being always used first. To facilitate ready withdrawal in this sequence, they should be stored also accordingly.

SUPPLY OF DETONATORS SR. 3.64-2 

• Station Master will supply detonators to Guards headquartered at their stations and to Gateman working under their control. 
• PW inspectors shall supply detonators to the Gangmates, Keyman, Gatemen, Bridge Guard, Cutting Guard and patrolman. 
• Loco foreman will supply detonators to the Loco Pilots. 
• The supervisor supplying detonators shall be responsible to ensure that the railway servant working under his supervision has prescribed number of detonators with them and they have the knowledge of exploding them. He will supervise them in every three months. 

TESTING OF DETONATORS. SR-3.64-5 

At station, Loco Sheds etc. where stocks of detonating signals are kept for issue to Guards, Loco Pilot, fog signal man, or other Railway Servants, the CYM, Station Manager, the Loco Foreman or other Railway persons in-charge of such stock must test at least one from each batch issued to the Staff. The testing should be under taken in every 12 months and an up to date record should be maintained. Where stocks are kept by store clerk of the division, the divisional officer of the concerned department may nominate the Sr. Supervisor for the testing of the detonators. Detonators shall be tested under empty wagon moving at 8 to 11 KMPH.

 SETTLEMENT OF DETONATORS SR 3.64-6 

If the detonators are not used during their testing or within their date of expire, they shall be destroyed by either of the following processes-

• They will be kept in mineral oil for 48 hrs and put into the fire. 
• Burning in the insinuators. 
• By exploding them under the wagon during shunting. 
• Destroying them in the deep sea. 

NECESSITY OF DETONATING SIGNAL DURING STORM, FOGGY WEATHER 

• If it is necessary to use detonators at the station, the two detonators shall be used at a distance of 270 meters from the first stop signal (FSS). The first detonators shall be placed at a distance of 270 meters and the second shall be placed at a distance of 10 meters from the first detonator, 
• In “B” class stations, where Warner Signal is provided, the detonators shall be placed at a distance of 270 meters from the Home Signal.
• In “B” class stations in TALQ signaling territories detonators shall be placed 270 meters from the Outer Signal.  In MAUQ/MACLS system where separate Distance Signal is provided, detonators shall be placed at a distance of 270 meters from the Home Signal. 
• The Fog Signal Post shall be provided only at those stations where there is a provision of using detonators. 
• In Absolute Block System the Loco Pilot shall proceed with his train in restricted speed so that he will be able to bring his train to a stop before any obstruction. The speed shall at any circumstances not exceed 60 KMPH. 
• The Loco Pilot shall not exceed the following speed in automatic block system- 

              Green Signal-                      60 KMPH
              Double Yellow-                   30 KMPH
              One Yellow-                        with restricted speed and prepared to stop at next stop Signal.

 USE OF DETONATORS 

One Detonator 

• During Testing- Placed on the rail and an empty wagon is run on it at the speed of 8 to 11 KMPH.
• In case of Emergency- if it is not possible to protect as per the rules, then one detonator can be placed as far as possible from the obstruction for protection in emergency. 

TWO DETONATORS 

• To warn the Loco Pilot in fog and tempestuous weather that he is approaching the signals of the station. They will be placed 10 meters apart from the Fog Signal Post provided at a distance of 270 meters from the first stop signal. 
• During the protection of material train, a banner flag is placed at a distance of 600 meters from the obstruction and two detonators shall be placed at 10 meters apart from the flag. 
• In Automatic section, to stop the through train at the station, two detonators shall be placed 10 meters apart from the end of the platform in the direction of train and danger hand signal shall be shown to the Loco Pilot from the platform end. 

THREE DETONATORS 

• Placed at a distance of 250—250—10 meters apart from the train in case of ACF, when the trains stop in the block section. 
• Placed at a distance 90—90—10 meters apart from the train in case of stoppage of train in the automatic block section.
• Placed at a distance of 10—10—10 meters by the SM/ Gatemen in case of train parting to attract the attention of the Guard to stop the rear portion. 
• Placed at a distance of 1200—10—10 meters apart from the work site in case of engineering works lorry work where a banner flag is placed at a distance of 600 meters from the work site. 

FOUR DETONATORS 

• Placed at a distance of 600—600—10—10 meters apart on BG and 400—400—10—10 meters apart on NG as per GR. 6.03 and SR.6.03-1 and is called normal protection. 

CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE USE OF DETONATORS ARE DISPENSED WITH 

Under the following circumstances, the use of detonators is dispensed with to so the position of the signals.

1. In those sections where reliable fog safe devices is installed in the engine.

2. If there are facilities of pre warning or in those stations where there is provision of double distance.
3. In those stations where maximum speed of the train is 15 KMPH and warning board is installed, even if there is no pre warning signal.
4. In those sections where sectional speed is less than 50 KMPH (but more than 15 KMPH) and the first signal of the station is not a stop signal.
5. In the automatic signaling section.
6. At the Gate Stop Signal.
7. At starter (departure) Signal.
8. Places where temporary speed restriction is in force for the maintenance of Railway track/OHE/signals.

DUTIES OF ENGINE CREW ON EXPLOSION OF DETONATORS GR 3.78 

If the engine explodes a detonator the Loco Pilot immediately bring his train under his control. And he will be guided by the signals that he may receive or if no hand signal or other signals are at once visible to him, he shall proceed up to 1.5 KM cautiously and be prepared to stop short of any obstruction. If there is no further explosion of detonators, he will resume his normal speed and shall inform the same to the SM of next station.

DUTIES OF RAILWAY SERVANT IN FOGGY AND TEMPESTUOUS WEATHER SR 3.61-1 

1. In foggy and tempestuous weather, when the Visibility Test Object (VTO) is not visible to the SM from his station building, he shall ensure himself that all the signals of the station are lit.

2. Then he shall send two trained men to act as fog signal men in both direction at the fog signal posts which are erected at all stations 270 meters in rear of the first stop signal. Each of these men shall be provided with 20 detonating signals or as lesser number as may be prescribed under special instructions.

3. The fog signal men shall place on signal at the fog signal post and the other at a distance of 10 meters from it and will stand at 45 meters with another detonator to warn the Loco Pilot of his proximity to the Outer, Warner or Distant Signal of the station.

4. As soon as the engine explodes two detonators, the Loco Pilot shall immediately bring his train under his control and shall be ready to follow the aspects of the signal to come 270 meters ahead.

5. The fog signal man shall immediately replace two fresh detonators on the passage of train.

6. In single line section, the fog signals man shall show proceed hand signal to the Loco Pilot of the train leaving the station.

7. The SM shall depute two trained men to act as fog signal men. He may depute off duty staffs for this purpose if ON duty staffs are not available. If necessary, two trained gang men can be deputed by permanent way supervisor.

8. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) will notify the names of the stations at which fog prevails persistently. At each such station, four class IV staffs shall be posted to act as fog signal men.

9. These four men will be on intermittent duty, one on duty at each end of the station and two resting at the station each performing 3 Hrs ON and 3 Hrs OFF duty.

10. At the double line station if the fog appears for about 7 days in the month it should be treated as persistent fog and separate fog porters should be appointed.

11. If fog is for less than 7 days in a month the SM will immediately call out two of the class IV staffs who are OFF duty to work at the station as porter, and the staffs who are ON duty will be utilized for fog signaling duties.

12. Only the permanent employees of the Railway shall work as fog signal man. should examine both the duration of fog and the number of days in a month on which it appears and then taking the overall work into consideration, determine whether special fog porters are required or not.

14. On branch lines or section on which the traffics is light, instead of fog signal man remaining continuously on duty at each fog signal post, a fog signal man may be send out to place detonating signals for each individual trains. This procedure may only be adopted under special instruction. In such cases, line clear shall not be given for a train, unless the fog signal man has been sent out at least 30 minutes before the is due to leave the station in rear.

15. The SM shall ensure that fresh supplies of detonators are sent to the men in replacement of those used.

 16. A “Station Detonators Register” must be maintained at each station, and must show the names of fog signal men, on duty, periods of duty, the stocks of detonators, the number of detonators sent out with each fog signal man, the number of each train under which the detonators have been exploded, and the number of un used detonators and used cases returned each time by fog signal man to the SM on duty.

17. The SM will obtain in the “Station Detonator Register” the signature or thumb impression of all men deputed and/or posted to his station as fog signal man as an acknowledgement that they understand the rules relating to the fog signaling of train.