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The classification of explosives under Hazard Class 1.1 refers specifically to those that pose a mass explosion hazard. This means that if an explosive in this category were to detonate, it could result in a significant and rapid release of energy that affects a large area, leading to a substantial impact on people, property, and the environment. Such explosives are particularly dangerous because their detonation can trigger a chain reaction, where one explosion can lead to the ignition or detonation of nearby explosives.

Other types of explosives fall into different classifications based on their characteristics and the risks they present. Fire hazards, for example, may be associated with flammable materials rather than explosives that create mass explosions. Projection hazards involve explosives that may expel fragments but do not necessarily cause widespread destruction. Minor explosions can refer to less violent reactions that do not have the same catastrophic potential as mass explosion hazards. Thus, Hazard Class 1.1 is uniquely designated for explosives with the most severe consequence potential, validating the choice of mass explosion as the correct classification.