Those groups of explosives which can be stowed or carried together without significantly increasing either the probability of an accident or, for a given quantity, the magnitude of the effects of such an accident. On this criterion, explosives have been divided into a number of compatibility groups, each denoted by a code letter from A to L (excluding I), N and S.

(For further information see the Australian Dangerous Goods Code or the Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail.)

For commercial blasting explosives the relevant compatibility groups are:

• D - Secondary explosives, may burn may explode
• B - Primary explosives, will explode
• S - Packaging contains the effects of any explosion

Notes:

It is because D (secondary explosives) and B (primary explosives) cannot be stored together (incompatible) that requires separate HE and Detonator magazines.

The Hazard Division is often used with compatibility group. Hazard division refers to the type of explosion hazard that exists. The Hazard Divisions that are relevant to shotfirers are:

• 1 - Mass explosion hazard
• 4 - No significant risk of a mass explosion hazard

Typical codes and examples are shown below: