Explosive warehouses in the Chinese capital are being subject to strict new safety rules, requiring heightened security and monitoring.

The regulations stipulate four grades of security for warehouses, depending on the type of explosives stored there, the size and the location of the buildings.

Each grade requires different security measures in accordance with the safety risks.

Grade I, the highest risk class, requires the warehouses be guarded by at least seven security personnel, two guard dogs and video surveillance, according to the regulations.

Grades II to IV require one to four guards, and dogs or video monitoring, according to the regulations.

The new regulations would help strengthen the management of explosives as previous safety rules had no specific requirements,said Qian Jin, an official in charge of explosives with Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

These new rules follow a central government crackdown on the trade, use and storage of explosives after a series of fatal explosions around the country.

New rules issued by the State Council will come into effect on September 1, requiring a government licence to produce, deal in ortransport explosives. They also require designated storehouses where smoking and other unrelated activities are banned.

Last year in China, explosives that were illegally produced, stored and sold caused 101 deaths and 181 injuries in 22 separate accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2006)