California laws on powder & primers

[jbj]

Sorry for the drive-by post guys. The ones I'm remembering were in the 90s, so google doesn't think going back that far is fun. Here's one link
http://abc7.com/news/ammunition-explodes-in-garage-during-yorba-linda-house-fire/792208/

 

[captmoto]

As long as you are not running a home based business, the fire department has no jurisdiction in your home, I wouldn't worry about it. The authority would be you city or county code enforcement. 100 lbs. of powder and 50,000 primers might come off as a running a business in your home.

 

[Dudedog]

Looks like the house burned, but I would not say it exploded. Maybe just a "normal" fire and the antigun news tooting their horn about evil ammo. The firefighters don't seem well informed (or the news misquoted) buts there have been tests showing unconfined ammo burning does not pose a risk to firefighter in their normal gear. However I was not there and they were, so I have no way to access the risk.

Wonder if there were any propane tanks for the BBQ or a can of gas for the lawnmower in the garage? However those things are not "news worthy.

He had .38 rounds, and .357 rounds, and shotgun rounds and some "unknown" amount of powder.
I was unlucky enough to have a house fire. No powder, primers, propane, gas, paint thinner etc burned, but the house lost most of it windows, and damage was extensive, however most of house structure was intact.

I will see if I can find the link to the video of a bunch of ammo being torched.

 

[C.F. Plinker]

The way it should work is in accordance with the NFPA regulations which our friends at SAAMI have published here. Most states, all I am aware of would fall under the NFPA, but that is not to say California does. The trick is to find out if CA adheres to NFPA rules and regulations or if they have their own. I wish you the best of luck out there.

Ron

It should be noted that the SAAMI standard references the 1996 NFPA recommendations. The current reccomendations are dated 2013 and there have been changes from the 1996 edition.

There was a thread several years ago on this subject and one poster signed onto the NFPA website and accessed the 2010 edition of NFPA 495. His posting included part of Chapter 14 which I, in turn copied.

It read:


There's a difference between shipping and storing powder. Shipping comes under DOT regulations and storing is controlled by local jurisdictions. Most jurisdictions adopt the NFPA standards. NFPA changed a little while ago (2010). Check with your local jurisdiction (typically the Fire Marshall).


2010 NFPA allows residential storage for personal use of:

10,000 Small arms primers; however, this is increased to 150,000 if in DOT 1.4S containers. (Typically cases of 5,000 primers are in DOT 1.4S containers -- they will have a "1.4S" label on the carton.)

20-Pounds of Black Powder may be kept if in the original containers and stored in 1-inch (nominal) thick wood boxes or cabinets.

20-Pounds of Smokeless propellants may be kept if in the original containers. This may be increased to 50-pounds it the containers are stored in 1-inch (nominal) thick wood boxes or cabinets.

Note: I am not being critical of Reloadron in any way for his posting of the SAAMI link. Many reloading books have a small section on storing powder and primers and reference various editions of the NFPA recommendations some of which are old and have been replaced with newer versions. It is always a good practice to check your local codes and see if they just reference the NFPA or if they spell out requirements that are more restrictive than NFPA and follow them.

 

[Reloadron]

C.F. Plinker, good point as to the changes in the NFPA not mentioned by SAAMI. Considering the OP started this thread back in mid July I hope he found what he was looking for as to CA and his area of CA as it may apply.

Ron

 

[Dudedog]

Here is the link to the video of a bunch of ammo being torched, almost make me cry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SlOXowwC4c