Explosives assembly workshop
Built in 1951, municipal monument
Past
The explosives assembly workshop was where various types of primer were assembled and the .50 bullet was produced. A primer is a fast-burning, usually explosive mixture, such as gunpowder. There are various types. Shock-sensitive primer was used for percussion caps on cartridges. This is a chemical substance that ignites or explodes when subjected to a shock or when struck with force. There was a risk of explosions when assembling the primers. Therefore, limits were set on the quantity of explosive substances in the building, and non-sparking tools were used. In the event of an explosion, the semi-curved roof directed the impact of a blast wave towards the north of the site. Here, woods had been planted as a buffer between the site and the city of Zaandam. The wave could not be directed south, as the administrative buildings were located on the waterfront. The other safety measures were the escape doors on the north and south of the building, and the lightning rods around it.
Present
Furniture brand DUM is currently based here. DUM’s furniture is robust, solid and generously sized, making it ideal for large spaces and buildings.
More information: https://dumoffice.com/
The Vroom en Varoassieau art gallery is also based here.
More information: https://vroomandvarossieau.com/
Werner .50-calibre bullet assembly machine from Berlin, 1980.
The Werner .50-calibre bullet assembly machine assembled the bullet (salt-core seal) and the flare core (5 layers of gunpowder). In the same building, there were two more machines for assembling the Ball ammunition and the APHC ammunition.
The Zaans Museum was founded in 1998 on the Zaanse Schans to guard and preserve the Zaan heritage.
The Hembrug Museum tells the story of the arms and ammunition factory that was located on the Hembrugterrein in Zaandam.
In 1697, the Russian Tsar Peter the Great stayed in this world-famous house in the center of Zaandam.
