New 2013 Powder & Primer Storage Regulations.

[AlexPdHJ]

I'm new to reloading, so the first place I came for info was here, obviously . However, after doing a lot of reading I became quite confused about the powder and primer storage regulations. My understanding is that in 2013 the regulations changed, quite substantially. Here are a few selected copied and pasted things which I have used to guide my storage of powder, primers, and the rounds I have made. Obviously, this is not legal advice in any way and everyone is responsible for their own research into the laws and regulations. I go above and beyond these regulations myself because I think I can be safer that way. Here is what I have found:

From: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2013-211/page-2.html#docCont

“storage unit”

« unité de stockage »

“storage unit” means a building, structure, place or container in which Footnote *explosives are stored and that is not licensed. However, it does not include a dwelling or any structure, place or container in a dwelling.

From: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2013-211/page-91.html#docCont

Rules for Users
Acquisition
Marginal note:Acquisition

296. A user may acquire and store propellant powder and percussion caps, whether or not they hold a licence. A user may Footnote *manufacture small arms cartridges and black powder cartouches for their own personal use and may store them, whether or not they hold a licence. A user who acquires propellant powder or percussion caps or manufactures small arms cartridges or black powder cartouches must comply with this Division.

Note: Part 5 regulates the commercial manufacture of small arms cartridges.

From: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2013-211/page-92.html#docCont

Storage
Marginal note:Licensed user

297. (1) A user who holds a licence must store their propellant powder, percussion caps and black powder cartouches in the magazine specified in their licence.
Marginal note:Separate storage

(2) A user must not store propellant powder and percussion caps in the same magazine.

Marginal note:Unlicensed user

298. A user who does not hold a licence must store their propellant powder, percussion caps and black powder cartouches in a dwelling or a Footnote *storage unit and ensure that the requirements of sections 299 to 304 are met.

Note: Subsection 279(2) provides that users must store small arms cartridges in accordance with sections 280 and 281.

Return to footnote *Terms preceded by an asterisk are defined in section 6.

Marginal noteercussion caps

299. (1) Percussion caps must be stored in their original packaging.

Note: These Regulations do not limit the number of percussion caps that may be stored in their original packaging in a dwelling or a Footnote *storage unit.
Marginal note:Smokeless powder

(2) Smokeless powder must be stored in its original container or in small arms cartridges.
Marginal note:Black powder

(3) Black powder must be stored in its original container, in small arms cartridges or in black powder cartouches.

Return to footnote *Terms preceded by an asterisk are defined in section 6.

Marginal note:Maximum quantity

300. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored by a user at any one time under sections 301 to 303 is reduced by the quantity of any propellant powder that the user is storing under section 375 and any quantity that they are storing under section 389.
Marginal note: Detached dwellings

301. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored at any one time in a detached dwelling, or in a Footnote *storage unit attached to a detached dwelling, is 25 kg of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder.

Return to footnote *Terms preceded by an asterisk are defined in section 6.

From: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2013-211/page-93.html#docCont

Other dwellings — smokeless powder

302. (1) The maximum quantity of smokeless powder that may be stored at any one time in a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, or in a storage unit attached to a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, is

(a) 20 kg, if all the smokeless powder is in containers that hold no more than 1 kg; or

(b) 5 kg, if any of the smokeless powder is in a container that holds more than 1 kg.
Marginal note:Other dwellings — black powder

(2) The maximum quantity of black powder that may be stored at any one time in a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, or in a storage unit attached to a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, is

(a) 1 kg, if the black powder is in containers; or

(b) 3 kg less any quantity that is in containers, if the black powder is in small arms cartridges or black powder cartouches.

Marginal note: Detached storage unit

303. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored at any one time in Footnote *storage units that are not attached to a dwelling, whether in a single unit or in several, is 75 kg.

Return to footnote *Terms preceded by an asterisk are defined in section 6.

Marginal note: Storage requirements — dwelling

304. (1) When propellant powder, percussion caps or black power cartouches are stored in a dwelling, they must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. People not authorized by the user must not be given unlimited access to the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches.
Marginal note:Storage requirements — storage unit

(2) When propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches are stored in a Footnote *storage unit,

(a) the storage unit must be located in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;

(b) the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;

(c) if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;

(d) if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;

(e) any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);

(f) nothing other than small arms cartridges may be stored with the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches;

(g) propellant powder, percussion caps, small arms cartridges and black powder cartouches must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);

(h) the storage unit must be Footnote *attended when it is unlocked;

(i) the storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit;

(j) any spill, leakage or other contamination in the storage unit must be cleaned up immediately;

(k) precautions that minimize the likelihood of fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and

(l) a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 cm high and that prohibits smoking using letters, or a symbol, at least 10 cm high must be posted on the storage unit in a clearly visible location.

Return to footnote *Terms preceded by an asterisk are defined in section 6.

So, how I interpret this, based on my utter lack of legal training, is:
1) A Dwelling is where you live
2) A Storage Unit is not a container or cabinet in your dwelling, but rather something more like a shed in the back yard or specially built magazine for powder storage outside and attached to your house or on the edge of your property.
3) Keep powders and primers in their original containers
4) Keep them locked up
5) Keep them away from a source of ignition, like fire, heat, or sparking electricity etc.
6) Don't have more than the maximum weight of the type of powder you are allowed to have.

 

[AlexPdHJ]

From the NRCAN website

From: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/acquisition-storage-sale/9815

Acquisition, Storage and Sale

The acquisition, storage and sale of explosives require a dwelling, a storage unit or an explosives licence depending on the quantity and type of explosives being handled. Any person handling explosives must be at least 18 years of age or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Act and Regulations.

DEFINITIONS Gross Mass (gm) Refers to the total mass of the explosives including the mass of any packaging or container.

Net Explosives Quantity (NEQ) Refers to the mass of the explosives excluding the mass of any packaging or container.

Dwelling Refers to the whole or any part of a building or structure that is kept or occupied as a permanent or temporary residence, and includes:

- a building within the curtilage of a house that is connected to it by a doorway or by a covered and enclosed passageway, and
- a unit that is designed to be mobile and to be used as a permanent or temporary residence and that is being used as such a residence.

Storage Unit Refers to a building, structure, place or container in which explosives are stored and that is not licensed. However, it does not include a dwelling or any structure, place or container in a dwelling.

Explosives Licence Refers to a licence authorizing the acquisition and storage of explosives for use and/or sale.

You can find a great table of info here: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/acquisition-storage-sale/9815

 

[AlexPdHJ]

So, my non-legal interpretation of all of the above is that if you are storing your powders and primers in your house, there is no need for a special wooden locked box which is only used for powders and primers, which has dividers between the powders and primers, and a warning label on it. That is what I was told I needed by several people and so that is what I built for myself. However, my non-legal interpretation is that according to the above, it is okay to store your powder and primers in their original containers, locked up with your guns and ammo in your gun cabinet, as long as it is away from a source of ignition and you don't exceed the weight limit of total powder.

Is this wise or the safest way of doing things? That's for each person to decide for themselves. I, for one, exceed these regulations in my practices.

If I am wrong about all of this, please let me know!!! It would be great if someone with legal training could weigh in here.

I hate wrong or out of date info lol

 

[209jones]

The parameters for the structure of the storage cabinet do seem to have been deleted from the posted changes for the new legislation. It did spell out the build requirements for the cabinets in the older version.
Whether that is because they did not change, and are still required, or have been deleted from the legislation altogether, would be best answered, by contacting nrcan. If you find out, post the answer.

 

[mmeechan]

any response or update to this?
I'm looking to get into reloading and am now unsure as to what I need to store the powder and primers in.
Can I store them in any locked cabinet or my gun safe (with firearms and ammo) or do I need to build a box out of 3/4" ply?

 

[curseyou]

Someone should ask NRCan. Someone...