Frequently asked questions
Will Blasting Damage my House or Well?
No. We strictly adhere to standards that your state, the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM 8507), and the Office of Surface Mining have determined to be safe blasting vibration limits. These standards are long proven and scientifically tested to keep structures and wells safe from vibration damage. We use seismographs for all blasts and are strictly regulated by the state.
What is a pre-blast survey?
A pre-blast survey is a survey of the existing conditions of the property before blasting commences by an independent third party. It is a good opportunity for the property owner to ask questions and raise concerns.
How do we measure vibration?
In most instances A-1 Drilling and Blasting employs their own seismographs to monitor vibration caused by blasting. State law requires at least 1 seismograph be placed at the closest inhabited structure to the blast. All seismographs are calibrated annually and set up by a trained technician. All vibration and noise level limits are established by years of research and are proven to be well below the threshholds for property damage.
Why is blasting necessary?
In quarry mining, explosives are used directly or indirectly in almost every aspect of our lives. Car, trucks, roads, bridges, homes, and office buildings are all built with products that had their origins with explosives.