Powder Sales Company Information

[Russ Rosene]

I am curious as to the details, codes and costs necessary to store smokeless powder for a commercial establishment. I'm projecting 2500-3500 lbs.

I have talked to my local Fire Marshall & Building Inspector and they did a lot of head scratching and did not have much information. One of them didn't know the difference between black and smokeless.

Most of the local codes are based on the National Fire Protection Association rules. I have waded through what I could find there and most of it is lawyerese - long on words, short on useable data.

I am specifically looking for general city/county codes for the structure, magazines [powder storage]. Drawings or diagrams of the type 4 magazine would be great.

I know sprinklers are a must and I suspect the ideal building would be zoned for 'H' Occupancy, freestanding and in an industrial park.

At this point I don't know what I don't know and I want to understand the costs of before I consider jumping.


Thanks,

Russ

 

[Gerry]

Powder Sales Co

I can give you an idea of what is needed at least here in N.Y.
I'm not sure of federal regulations though.
I think you need some kind of ok not just local but federal since all of the troubles of late.
Here's an idea on a build for a magazine.
The walls are usually constructed of concrete blocks filled with either concrete or grout. The door is steel , with hinges that cant be exposed {hinged on the inside" A lock must be on the door that is tamper proof. A cover is over it allowing only a key to enter to open the door.
Steel mesh and a small opening is used to allow venting.
The roof is poured concrete. Local codes dictate where it can be built and a size limit as to the amount of floor space Vs tonage.
Light and other acc,s are also applied for. Temperature must be kept constant cool and dry. So some kind of HVAC would be called for. Usually they are built and covered with earth .
Hope this helps some {I Have only built one and it was Small.]

 

[brian roberts]

Russ, most free-standing............

magazines that I've seen were situated slightly below surface level, of brick, with a roof that would not contain gasses, allowing presssures to build to unsafe levels. In your area, you may be able to get away with locating a shipping container, with roof vents, on rented property, no less than 300ft. from a farmer's barn, if you are out far enough from town. I know some associates of mine were able to use a small container out behind their shop. Another dealer had a container on his own property, and would bring whatever he needed, in the next day. If you were to go the container route, I would situate it off the ground, with blocks or steel beams. It sounds like you may have some officials in your area that may be willing to let you have the benefit of the doubt, as long as it isn't close enough to catch something alight if the unforseen happens. You can also call Hodgdon's, I know they used to have a pamphlet available; also the National Shooting Sports Assn., I believe, has a pamphlet as well, they may both be the same, but they were written to afford a national uniformity. Sorry I couldn't be more help.