News

The IME Board of Governors recently approved the Institute’s latest standard; SLP-28 Recommendations for Accountability and Security of Bulk Explosives and Bulk Security Sensitive Materials.  Despite the fact that bulk commercial explosive materials have never been used by terrorists, increasing demands for security of bulk materials necessitated the development of SLP-28.  IME developed SLP-28 with input from the International Society of Explosives Engineers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The standard does not instruct readers to conform to certain methods of measuring bulk materials but rather instructs readers to choose from several acceptable methods.  Whatever method(s) is chosen, the document advises how to measure using that method in a way that minimizes measurement errors.  Sites should develop their own written bulk accountability and security plan using SLP-28 as a guide.

Since measuring bulk materials cannot be precise to the pound, the standard recommends additional security measures to minimize the probability of theft or diversion.  To help determine when a loss or covert theft has occurred, a methodology for analyzing fluctuations in inventory records is presented.  The document includes helpful appendices on topics such as terminology, developing a bin chart, and determining bulk density.

Recently, IME briefed a host of top officials from the ATF on the new standard.  ATF has a keen interest in this topic due to their explosives security mandate and generally liked what they saw in SLP-28.  ATF suggested piloting the SLP-28 system at several locations to see how the system works in practice.

Anyone interested in participating in the SLP-28 pilot study should contact Lon Santis of IME at ldsantis@ime.org.