What is 'overpressure' in the context of explosive safety?

In the context of explosive safety, 'overpressure' refers to the pressure wave that results from an explosion. It is the increase in pressure above the normal atmospheric pressure that occurs when an explosive material detonates. This pressure wave can cause significant damage to structures, injuries to personnel, and can be a critical factor to consider when assessing the risks associated with explosives.

Understanding overpressure is essential for safety planning and mitigation strategies in explosive operations, as it helps in determining safe distances and establishing protective barriers. It can also influence the design of structures in proximity to explosive hazards to ensure they can withstand such pressure waves.

The other options relate to aspects of explosions but do not define 'overpressure': the height of an explosion pertains to the vertical reach of the blast, the volume of explosive materials refers to the amount of explosive present, and the temperature during a detonation relates to the thermal effects of an explosion rather than the pressure wave itself.