Blast Wall
A Blast Wall is a barrier constructed to protect buildings from explosions.
The earliest account of gunpowder in England is a record from 1267. Gunpowder was being made in the tower of London by 1346. The industry of explosives expanded greatly by the time of the English civil war of 1642-45.
By necessity Blast Walls are constructed of fireproof materials like stone or concrete and are particularly thick to absorb explosive power. They are generally built around structures that are used for storing explosives (magazines), or likely to be attacked, especially ones that are in strategically significant locations. The walls of magazines and forts were designed and built with distinct polygonal layouts for strength and to divide and deflect explosive force.
Due to the ubiquity of explosive weapons the walls of modern military structures are generally built with bombing resistance in mind. ‘Blast Wall’ May refer to walls of pillboxes, or other front line defences.
What to look for:
- Thick walls surrounding buildings with military association
- Zig zag or complex polygonal walls and structures, especially on coastlines
- Historical records and maps
