The examinations test the applicant in those subjects directly relevant to the responsibilities of the Explosives Engineer. They are held annually, in the UK and by prior arrangement in the Middle East. Other overseas candidates may apply to take the examination locally but the Institute is not always able to arrange this. Locations and dates of examinations are announced on this web site
The examination consists of two parts:
Certain qualifications may exempt candidates from parts of the Entrance Examinations. For example, the EPIC or QPTC certificates in “Shotfiring” and “Blast Design”, if both are held, may exempt a candidate from the Institute Examinations Specialist Papers in Quarrying.
The Institute’s Education and Examination Committee may identify academic, technical and professional qualifications which if held, will exempt candidates from all, or from parts of the Institute Entrance Examinations. Candidates should supply documentary evidence of those qualifications they feel may exempt them from such examinations. It is not necessary, although it is preferable, for the general and specialist papers to be taken together. Certificates will be given to successful candidates. Credit will be given for presentation, including clear sketches and diagrams, and for the use of good English.
No information is given about the number of marks required for a pass. Candidates are told of their results expressed as either a pass or a failure.
If you have any queries or would like an application form and price list for any of the examinations, please contact the Secretariat at Shrivenham. They will keep your name on file, and when the relevant paperwork is ready, this will be sent to you automatically
There are currently eight specialist examinations from which aspiring members must choose one. These are listed below. The specialist papers do not have an associated training course run by the Institute because they are based on an individuals’ professional knowledge and experience. Each of the specialist examinations consists of:
A one-hour paper of short questions covering aspects of good practice and legislation.
A two-hour paper of essay-type questions, requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of his chosen subject.
The technical content of paper two is the same as that for paper one, but with the candidate being tested in the practical application of his knowledge. Within each specialism, the second paper will cover the following points:
In the two papers candidates will be examined in the theory and use of explosives in the breaking of rock and excavation in natural strata below water, or in the tidal zone.
A two-hour paper of questions in essay form requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in underwater work.
In the two papers candidates will be examined in the theory and use of explosives in different types of quarry.
A two hour paper of questions in essay form, requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in quarries.
In the two papers candidates will be examined in the use of explosives in rock breaking in the construction industry, and excavation and land clearance in both the construction industry and agriculture.
A two-hour paper of questions in essay form requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in this field.
In the two papers candidates will be examined in the theory and use of explosives in the Offshore Oil Industry.
A two hour paper requiring detailed knowledge of the above and additional offshore operations.
In the two papers candidates will be examined in the use of explosives for the fragmentation or felling of man-made structures.
A two-hour paper of questions in essay form, requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in demolition.
In the two papers candidates will be examined in funneling and shaft sinking in coal and other mines, and in construction tunnels varying from small excavations being driven for sewerage disposal, to the largest bulk storage chambers.
A two-hour paper of questions in essay form, requiring the candidate to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and experience of the use of explosives in this field.
A two hour paper of questions requiring detailed answers demonstrating the candidate’s in-depth knowledge and experience of the safe application of fireworks and their ability to organise and fire displays with the minimum risk to personnel and the public.
† Candidates are not expected to be fully conversant with all the above advised reading material, we have therefore indicated the most relevant documents.
The Special Effects examination and associated training course are currently under development. The examination, which functions as a stand-alone qualification as well as being a step towards Associateship or Membership of the Institute, covers the following topics
A one hour paper comprising short answer questions to test the candidates’ overall knowledge of the subject specialism.
A two-hour paper of questions requiring detailed answers demonstrating the candidates knowledge and experience of the safe application of special effects.
The addresses listed below are a potential source of useful information for those who are preparing to sit an Institute of Explosives Engineering entrance examination.
British Pyrotechnists Association
1 Waterloo Way
Leicester LE1 6LP
Tel: 0116 256 6000
Fax: 0116 256 6050
British Standards Institute
Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL
Tel: 020 8996 9001
Fax: 020 8996 7001
CBI Explosives Industry Group
Centre Point 103
New Oxford Street
London WC1A 1DU
Tel: 020 7379 7400
DTI
Consumer Safety Unit
10-18 Victoria Street
London SW1H ONN
Tel: 020 7215 3318
Exchem Explosives
Rough Close Works
PO Box 4
Alfreton
Derby DE55 7AB
Tel: 01773 832253
Fax: 01773 520723
HSE Books
PO Box 1999
Sudbury
Suffolk CO10 6FS
Tel: 01787 881165
Fax: 01787 313995
Orica Europe Ltd
168 Roburite Centre
Shevington
Wigan
Lancs WN6 8HT
Tel: 01257 256
Fax: 01257 256177
Institute of Mining & Metallurgy
Danum House
South Parade
Doncaster DN1 2DY
Tel: 01302 320486
Fax: 01302 380900
Institute of Quarrying and Quarry Management
7 Regent Street
Nottingham NG1 5BS
Tel: 0115 941 1315
Fax: 0115 948 4035
Institution of Civil Engineers
1 Great George Street
Westminster
London SW1P 3AA
Tel: 020 7222 7722
Fax: 020 7222 7500
Peat Marwick
Peat House
1 Waterloo Way
Leicester LE1 6LP
Tel: 0116 247 1122
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Baffins Lane
Chichester PO19 1UD
Tel: 01243 770288
Fax: 01243 770456
EPIC
36-38 London Road
St Albans
Hertfordshire AL1 1NG
Tel: 01727 869008
Fax: 01727 843318
International Society of Explosives Engineers
29100 Aurora Road
Cleveland
Ohio 44139
United States of America
Tel: 001 440 349 4004
Fax: 001 440 349 3788
Certifying Expertise in
European Explosives Sector
Professional Affiliate of the
Engineering Council UK