Powder Storage Requirements

Fall Guy

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Can anyone point me to info as to what constitutes a 'substantial magazine'?

EXPLOSIVES REGULATORY DIVISION
BULLETIN No. 8 (revision7)
NRCan said:
17. Propellants not exceeding 10 kg in their approved canisters, caddies and kegs may be stored on
residential property, providing they are in a locked substantial magazine that is kept clean and used exclusively for propellants. No federal licence or possession permit is required for this type of storage.
The outside of the magazine must be marked with the word “EXPLOSIVE.” No flammable or highly
combustible material may be stored in or near the magazine.
 
In the reloading/ammo regulations, terms like "substantial" and "reasonable" need to be interpreted by a reasonble person.

A tool box or wooden cabinet would probably meet to requirement.
 
Plywood box,i've heard 1 inch thick recommended(mine is 3/4 in) with brass hinges not steel and no steel nails so i glued mine pinned with wooden dowels to hold the sides together.And a brass latch with a lock on it.
 
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would a plastictool box from Canadian Tire do it? There are no motal hinges, just one pin for each hinge... plus the lock.....
Are they trying to say it's a bad idea to store the primers in the same container with the propellant?:p
 
I don't think plastic will fly. The 3/4 - 1" wood is meant to give it some protection from fire getting to it right away.
 
none from the way I read the thread and from what I learned from building mads for siesmic rigs I think the 1" thing you are refurring to has come out ot the reg's for the siesmic mags. They had to be built out of 1/4" plate with a 3/4" plywood lining no steel or iron fasteners Stainless Hinges stainless hasps and Padlocks and the padlock had to be confined so it could not be accessed with bolt cutters.
The Stainless is to screw up the guys trying to break in with the cutting torch.
Primers and Powder also had to be stored seperate on seismic rigs.
No primers or dynamite in the same compartment while transporting them to the main mags (on the truck).
For us I think a reasonable thing is in the eyes of the person that is inspecting or looking at your mag.
Ken
 
I keep about 24lbs of powder (in the containers it comes in) on a shelf under my reloading bench...
I sleep well.
 
recce said:
I don't think plastic will fly. The 3/4 - 1" wood is meant to give it some protection from fire getting to it right away.

you think it is better to have fire protection for these powder cans?
By the time anyone would be able to do something about a fire, the temperature inside and the spread of the flames would have already getten to whatever is fuel in that room. There are no specifications about the type of ignifugal paint the "chest" has to be painted with, no mention of any thermal barrier.... just the concern for safety (kids or ocasional unauthorized persons) - that's why they want it in a box...... and the concern of safety for intervention personnel (firefighters) so the box would not become a bomb.

From my perspective, a plastic tool box would fit the description, as any other taclebox .... Please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I have mine in a locked plywood cabinet that contains only powder and is marked "Explosive" as prescribed on the outside.

I'm waiting of the day that some bonehead makes a big fuss over the lack of detail in the regs and we are then rewarded with a long list of specific requirements right down to the type of screws and locks that must be used.
 
I think some of you over regulate themselves. :bangHead: I keep mine in their original container. I have about 18 pounds. NOBODY will ever come to your house to check it out. On the other hand, you probably have more dangerous goods that you think in your house..like paint..thinner and other solvent that will burn as much. If your house burn..20 pounds of powder will not change anything and will have no bearing on the outcome :evil:
 
It's not about safety.It's about when a cop looks in to ask you about a car accident outside your place and can't see your stuff is locked up or looks just left out as 1 in 10,000 cops wont know the regs other than gee that looks safe to him.
 
eltorro said:
you think it is better to have fire protection for these powder cans?
By the time anyone would be able to do something about a fire, the temperature inside and the spread of the flames would have already getten to whatever is fuel in that room. There are no specifications about the type of ignifugal paint the "chest" has to be painted with, no mention of any thermal barrier.... just the concern for safety (kids or ocasional unauthorized persons) - that's why they want it in a box...... and the concern of safety for intervention personnel (firefighters) so the box would not become a bomb.

From my perspective, a plastic tool box would fit the description, as any other taclebox .... Please correct me if I'm wrong.


Not saying you're wrong. There was a post quite a while back that gave the specs for the magazine (thickness, non-ferrous fasteners etc) but I can't find it. All I found on NRCan was Bulletin 8 than mentions the magazine and markings but gives no details on it's construction.

So yes you are correct that using a tool box to keep it out of reach is better than nothing.
 
Did some searching and reading. Here is what the Explosives Act says:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showdoc/cr/C.R.C.-c.599/bo-ga:l_XII//en#anchorbo-ga:l_XII
PART XII

AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED EXPLOSIVE THAT MAY BE KEPT FOR USE AND NOT FOR SALE IN PLACES OTHER THAN LICENSED FACTORIES AND LICENSED MAGAZINES AND REGISTERED PREMISES AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT SHALL BE HANDLED AND STORED

137. In regard to any receptacle, the following provisions shall be observed:

(a) it shall be provided with a closely fitting lid secured by a lock, and hinges and fastenings, preferably of copper or brass, and otherwise closed and secured so as to prevent unauthorized persons having access thereto, and shall be kept locked except when required to be open for receipt or removal of explosives, or other necessary purpose;

(b) it shall be exclusively used for the keeping of explosives;

(c) it shall be made of wood, copper or other suitable material;

(d) the interior of the receptacle and all fittings therein shall be so constructed, covered or lined as to prevent the exposure of any iron or steel, or of any hard or gritty surface, or the entry, detaching, or accumulating of grit, iron, steel or similar substance;

(e) the interior of the receptacle shall be kept scrupulously clean; and

(f) the receptacle shall have the word “EXPLOSIVES” conspicuously displayed thereon on a contrasting background.
But here is what CSSA says. (I cleaned it up, the wording/spelling needs to be corrected - yes I sent them an e-mail suggesting that some of the legal info is a little dated and poorly written a few months ago, no response. :()
http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/legal_info_for_reloaders.html
Store Your Powder Safely
The storage of gun powder is regulated by the explosives act, r.S.C. 1990. you may keep a maximum of 12 kg. In a dwelling if it in a suitable container. this is specified to be a box of 3/4 inch thick wood, no ferrous fittings (use brass, bronze, or glue), be locked and labelled Explosives. Only 2 kg. Can be out of the box at any one time to be used. This means that when you are finished reloading you must return the unused powder to the locked box. The ministry of energy mines and resources recommends that anyone who contravenes this be charged under the criminal code with unsafe storage of ammunition. To the ministry there is no distinction between black powder and smokeless powder. Primers are to be similarly stored.
 
Thanks Fall Guy.
I see there is something like "suitable materials"..... Very smart.
Smokeless powder is not explosive. Is is highly combustible , but not explosive. Encroached in a space where the pressure can build to where it will cause detonation.... they are explosives, but only as a system, not as a substance.
The only thing against the plastic box would be static electricity...but then again, the containers they're soted n are mostly plastic. What a mess.....
 
If they wanted to charge us under the CC for unsafe storage of ammunition (what is the reg on that?) then why have the Explosives Act?

I thought storage of ammo fell under the Firearms Act.

And powder isn't ammo.

Could it possibly be MORE confusing ??????? :(
 
I thought storage of ammo fell under the Firearms Act.

No - there is no mention of storage requirements for ammo in the firearms act, except where it discusses it's proximity to the firearm for storage of the firearm.

It's always been under the explosives act.
 
Could it possibly be MORE confusing ???????

They're working on it.

Currently - There are important rules you must comply with in several acts - including the Firearms act, the explosives act, the Criminal Code of Canada, And if you're a hunter the wildlife act for your province and possibly some municipal rules as well. And that's not counting the transportation of guns on airplanes and such, and any rules that may apply under the aviation acts or other similar acts.

I'm sure if they can figure out somewhere else to stick rules they'll do so.
 
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