Record

Just for the TM

VOLUME 5: Q4 2005

A vibration monitoring newsletter about you, for you, and by you.

Government Legislation Creates

Ripple Effect Through Industry
If you work in mining or construction,
chances are you can personally
attest to the impact counter-
terrorism legislation has had on
your business. The ripple effect
Italian mines, quarries and caused by heightened security
construction businesses awareness and the new regulations
were caught flatfooted adopted to counteract possible
recently after the speedy terrorist acts have spread through
acceptance of the “Urgent
many countries worldwide.
Measures for the Contrast
of International Terrorism” Anti-terrorism countermeasures
law (Bill 557/PAS/12982D). have been widely reported by
the media. However, how these
countermeasures affect those
in the mining and construction
community has not. Understanding
how these new rules will change the
way you do business is necessary
to help ensure your organization
is not caught unaware when more Regulations have made the use of a vibration monitor mandatory
restrictive legislation is passed for all blasting and construction projects in many countries.
locally.
For example, Italian mines, quarries and construction with Instantel to ensure we can provide the necessary
businesses were caught flatfooted recently after the instruments to meet the increased demand. With some
speedy acceptance of the “Urgent Measures for the regional police forces giving these industries a sixty-day
Contrast of International Terrorism” law (Bill 557/PAS/ extension, we have had a bit of breathing room to step
12982D), which went into effect on September 1st, up our inventory to meet the new needs of those in
ON THE INSIDE 2005. This latest regulation includes drastic changes quarrying and construction industry.”
to the ways in which explosives are transported,
Italy is not alone – in the United Arab Emirates, similar
Because Innovation Should be stricter control of places where they are stored, as
legislation has also just become law. Their onsite blasting
Rewarded Page 2 well as differences to the kind of explosives that are
requirements however are arguably more stringent in
legally available for use in construction and quarrying
one aspect - stipulating a police officer must be present
Bringing Down the Four Bears applications.
for any blasting activities. Unlike Italy, where police
Bridge Page 3
This Bill changes the qualification and certification officers are optional, in the U.A.E. not only are they on-site,
requirements for people within the industry who have they are trained to actually man the vibration monitor to
Dealer Profile – IGM Italy
access to and handle these types of materials as well. ensure compliance to the new standard.
Page 3
A new requirement where every blast event must
Other countries have fallen suit to a variety of degrees.
be supervised by a police officer and/or a vibration
Airlink® Redwing CDMA While each region differs slightly, it highlights the global
monitor to ensure adherence to the new regulation
Modems Page 3 trend to review existing blasting regulations and set new
has proven to be the most difficult to implement
standards for those in the industry to follow. In Europe, the
logistically.
InfoChange FAQ Page 4 UK unveiled “The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives
Instantel Dealer, Giorgio Vecchio of IGM Italy notes, Regulations”, which passed into law on April 26, 2005.
Instantel Tradeshow Schedule “Since the quick adoption of the Bill, we have been This regulation replaces the previous “Explosives Act of
Page 4 inundated with requests for proposals in order for 1875”, and is intended to improve the safety standards
job sites to comply with the new law. We are working by consolidating other separate pieces of legislation
(Continued...)

The World’s Most Trusted Vibration Monitors www.instantel.com

PAGE 1

Worldwide, many rightfully
applaud the latest guidelines
to help protect their country
from potential terrorism
activity.
Legislation Creates Ripple Effect Through Industry (Continued from Page 1)
into one, all-encompassing Bill that is better understood regulations, or drastically reduce their legal storage
and more easily enforced by both industry and the capacities from 100,000 to 7,000 pounds. Other
government alike. proposals include costly enhancements to the storage
Australia enacted “The Dangerous Goods Regulations” facilities themselves. Those who work in the industry
on October 1, 2005. It are subject to closer
includes greater security scrutiny as well, and a
checks on individuals who huge administrative
handle explosives, defines backlog created by the
who actually is a suitable initial application surge
to ensure compliance
person to hold an explosives
license as well as for license was widely reported.
holders to provide a security
plan and to review and revise Worldwide, many
rightfully applaud
their security plan as may be
required. the latest guidelines
to help protect their
In the United States, the ATF country from potential
(Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco terrorism activity. An
and Firearms) recently Quarries and mines have been greatly affected by unintended and under-
proposed changes to storage the wide array of new regulations that have recently reported casualty in the
regulations (27 CFR Part become law. short term for many of
555) and eliminating smaller highways from the ATF these countries are those who work legitimately in
guidelines. Essentially the change bundles smaller the quarrying and construction markets, who must
roads, including those used primarily for quarries, with be able to meet the expanded criteria in order to go
multi-lane, high volume highways. If combined, many about their project work when such all-encompassing
quarries may need to either move their existing legislation is so quickly passed into law.
storage facilities so they are in-line with

Because Innovation Should be Rewarded

For over twenty years, Instantel users
have given their seal of approval to the
trusted Blastmate® and Minimate®
vibration monitors as their instrument of
choice. Now we’re giving back – Instantel
is about to unveil our first-ever “Instantel
Innovation Awards” which celebrate
Instantel product users for their work
on ambitious and challenging projects.
We’re very excited about our new Awards
Program and encourage Instantel users The Instantel Innovation Award www.instantel.com.
to nominate projects that have shown
creative and innovative solutions to
a variety of monitoring challenges.
Winners will be announced in major
trade publications worldwide, as well
as showcased on the Instantel web
site. The inaugural winners will be
announced shortly. To nominate a
project, or get more information
on the Awards program visit us at

Bringing Down the Four Bears Bridge

The old Four Bears Bridge over Lake Sakakawea at
Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota was
demolished on October 14, 2005. The bridge served as a
critical link between Indian tribes since 1920. Over 900
charges were used and the blast was monitored by four
Minimate® Plus vibration monitors. Two Instantel®
Minimate Plus instruments were set on the new bridge,
that is located just 30 feet north of the original Four
Bears location. The demolition went exactly as planned
by Demtech, Inc., much to the excitement of those who
live near Fort Berthold – overall, an excellent turnout for
a memorable event in their community.

Photos courtesy of Brent Blanchard,

Protec Documentation Services, Inc.

The World’s Most Trusted Vibration Monitors

PAGE 2
Dealer Profile – IGM Italy
IGM IdroGeoMarket, was founded in 1981 by Mr. Carlo involved with seismological networks and vibra-
Vecchio, and initially specialized in water measurement tion monitoring for engineering projects and work
and geophysical closely with a major University and with the larg-
instruments, such est concrete production groups in Italy. In 2003, Dr.
as seismographs, Ilaria Piccardi joined IGM, and is now involved with
magnetometers, re- the office management and with clients in the vi-
sistivity meters, GPR bration monitoring field.
and geotechnical in-
struments. In 1983, IGM is committed to providing complete solutions The Instantel DS-200 was
Mr. Giorgio Vecchio to their customers and maintaining their leader- the first instrument sold
joined his father in ship position in vibration monitoring in Italy. Fol- by IGM Italy in 1987.
the company, and lowing the adoption of the new regulations, IGM’s
in 1987 IGM became name and commitment is spreading in the quickly
an authorized Inst- growing Italian market, and they plan to expand
antel Dealer. Their their group to accommodate the increasing de-
Ilaria Piccardi and Giorgio Vecchio first instrument sold mand for their expertise.
of IGM IdroGeoMarket showcased - an Instantel DS-
Instantel products at the Geofluid 200 monitor. Since
trade show, Piacenza, Italy. then IGM became

Airlink® Redwing CDMA Modems

Recently, North American Instantel Dealers and modems for their remote monitoring application
customers have encountered problems in sourcing in Bayonne, New Jersey. Some of the challenges
Airlink® Redwing CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) included static IP address issues and using the
modems from Sprint, Verizon, or Bell Mobility. Carriers proper UDP to serial converter. Presently they What is CDMA?
are instead encouraging the use of digital CDMA/1XRTT have six Raven modems up and running on the CDMA, or Code Division
networks for these applications, and have repeatedly project with more to come. Multiple Access, allows
suggested the Airlink Raven CDMA modem as an multiple calls to be made
The Airlink Raven CDMA modem operates on over one channel; this
alternative to the Redwing. Instantel Technical Support
is also referred to as a
Specialist, Eric Gagné, recently assisted Instantel Dealer, CDMA/1XRRT networks and has a high-speed
Spread Spectrum. This is
Contract Drilling and Blasting, install several Raven data transfer rate that supports the Instantel
similar to data sent over
Series III monitors. Since it uses Internet Protocol the Internet – CDMA con-
to transfer data from the monitor to a computer versations are “spread”
operating the Instantel® Blastware® software, when sent, then reassem-
the communication link is always present, and bled at their point of ar-
long distance charges no longer apply. The rival. The CDMA concept
service plans differ from analog plans in that was initially developed for
billing is commonly done based on the quantity military use over 30 years
of data transferred in a given period – much like ago!
the plan you get with a RIM Blackberry® or a Palm
Treo®.

Keep up-to-date with the latest for communication

protocols, modem products, software and setups
that are compatible with Instantel products,
available at the Instantel® InfoChange™
interactive website.

Modem technology and communication

networks are an ever-changing industry.
The Airlink Raven modem has a high-speed data transfer Instantel can help you with your remote
rate that supports the Instantel Series III monitors. monitoring requirements.

www.instantel.com
PAGE 3
 Instantel® InfoChange™
InfoChange ™

Interactive On-line Help –

Providing Assistance 24/7
Q How can I get the latest version of the Instantel® Blastware® compliance
software module?

Instantel recognizes that regular business hours just

don’t apply to many in our industry. In response to
this, we have created the interactive, on-line help tool,
A
link:
The latest version of Blastware Compliance Module software is available
for download, FREE of charge, from the Instantel website, at the following

Instantel® InfoChange™. This interactive area provides

Instantel users with application notes, technical tips www.instantel.com/products/bw_agree.php.

Q
and answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Owners
may also complete an online RMA form and schedule What do you need to run the Blastware?
their equipment for calibration or service. And because
it’s online, all of these features can be accessed at a time

that is convenient for them.
More FAQ’s can be found on our web site
in our InfoChange interactive on-line help
section. For more information please visit our
web site at www.instantel.com. We welcome your
questions – please send us your inquiries via e-mail
at sales@instantel.com and we will be
happy to assist and provide you with
additional information.
A
Blastware software can run on any IBM-compatible PC with the Windows®
2000 or XP operating system with the following requirements:
• CD-ROM drive,
• Mouse,
• SVGA or higher screen resolution,
• USB port for the Advance Software hardware dongle (when using the
advanced software module and a USB to Serial communication cable for the
unit, an additional USB port is required),
• RS232 Serial Port for communication with the unit,
• Printer (optional), and a
• Modem (optional) - U.S. Robotics® 56k External Modem recommended.

For additional information on the Blastware Advanced Module software, visit

www.instantel.com/products/blastware.htm

INSTANTEL TRADESHOW SCHEDULE

Visit Instantel at the following events near you!
Penn State Drill and Blast Conference Nov 10-11, 2005 – State College, PA
www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/Blasting

China Mining 2005 Nov 14-17, 2005 – Beijing, China

www.china-mining.com

Kentucky Blasting Conference Dec 8-9, 2005 – Louisville, KY

www.kyblastingconference.com

ISEE 32nd Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique,

Jan 29 - Feb 1, 2006 – Dallas, TX
www.isee.org

Corporate Office: US Office: Toll Free: (800) 267 9111

309 Legget Drive, 808 Commerce Park Drive, Telephone: (613) 592 4642
Ottawa, Ontario K2K 3A3 Ogdensburg, New York 13669 Facsimile: (613) 592 4296
Canada USA Email: sales@instantel.com

© 2005 Instantel, a division of VeriChip Corporation. All rights reserved. Instantel, the Instantel logo, Blastware,
Blastmate, Minimate, and InfoChange are either registered trademarks or trademarks of VeriChip Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries.

The World’s Most Trusted Vibration Monitors www.instantel.com

PAGE 4