How much gun powder can you have and not have a problem with home insurance?

[clutch]

I'm curious, how much smokeless powder can you have on hand before one might have an issue with a home insurance claim for fire? Right now I have 29 varieties of smokeless spread between my detached garage and home. Some of those varieties have a few pounds of extras behind them.

Considering events, I don't plan on letting up on stockpiling but I want to be sure I don't void my insurance.

Thanks,

Clutch

 

[jmorris]

I treat it like gays in the military.

 

[Lagarto]

Powder stockpile

I installed a sprinkler over the area where I reload and store my powder.
Not for insurance purposes, but as a practical measure to avoid a catastrophe.

 

[45lcshooter]

Smokeless powder just burns, doesn't explode. I believe black powder anything over 50lbs you need paperwork of some kind. Smokeless I don't know of restrictions, you may want to play "dumb" and call your insurance company as some how ask without them throughing a flag.

Or construct or purchase a fire proof metal box and store your powder in. I know it might be kind of unhandy but then you really wouldn't need to play dumb with the insurance company.

 

[ASCTLC]

Read your policy and leave your agent out of it unless you know for a fact they won't act on such a question to revoke your policy.

Andy

 

[Jim Watson]

Off the top of my head, I think the model fire code that shows up in some load data pamphlets has a maximum of 25 lbs smokeless and maybe 5 lbs black. Not much for some people. 50 lbs is the most the black powder distributors will send in a single order; and that as two 25 lb cases. But if you were to go strictly by that fire code, you would have to store it in a separate magazine.

The recommendation for powder storage is in a wooden box. Wood is pretty good insulation and slows heat transfer even while charring. Also if it eventually burns through and the powder goes, it does not contribute shrapnel like a metal container.

A lot of huhu. I have on my new house's mantelpiece a scorched Goex can and a blackened whisky bottle recovered after the fire that totaled the old house. The contents are fine. Were fine, just fine in the case of the Jameson's. I've still got most of the FFFg, though.

I got no static from the insurance company, largely because NOTHING HAPPENED. I have not found where a single round popped in a melted box or bag, and the powder cans just sat there.

 

[Nanook]

http://www.saami.org/specifications.../download/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf

Here's a great link that answers your question.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

No more than 5,000 lbs.? One or two guys here are going to be in trouble!

 

[CLP]

I treat it like gays in the military.

Up front and in the open???

 

[ASCTLC]

Well poop, that's not very much...


11-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities
not exceeding 20 lb. (9.1 kg) shall be permitted to be stored in original
containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb. (9.1 kg), but not
exceeding 50 lb. (22.7 kg), shall be permitted to be stored in residences
where kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of at least
1 in. (25.4 mm) nominal thickness.

 

[wild willy]

11-3.8 Not more than 20 lb. (9.1 kg) of smokeless propellants, in
containers of a 1 lb. (0.45 kg) maximum capacity shall be displayed
in commercial establishments.

Back when you could find powder I've see a lot more than 20 one lb containers displayed.Several times more.

 

[SHR970]

A detached garage is not part of the residence. It is a U1 occupancy....therefore house = 20 lbs. and garage = 20 lbs. with it not being stored in an approved construction container.

The box of described construction is not even a NFPA class 2 portable indoor magazine. If you were to use a magazine you can increase your quantities. How ever, local codes and or state codes can preempt your storage quantities.

Example: California has a 20 lb. limit. If you wish to exceed it you by law need a permit.

 

[Texan Scott]

You can store as much as no one else knows about.

The practical wisdom of doing so is open for discussion.

Ultimately, as with everything else, the choice is yours until you allow someone else to make it for you. The consequences, however, will always be yours to keep.

 

[jmorris]

Quote: Originally Posted by jmorris I treat it like gays in the military.

Up front and in the open???

Maybe the old school version. Don't ask and don't tell. If it's not in the paperwork then do what you want.

 

[Jim K]

There is an outfit called the National Fire Protection Association. If you follow their guidelines you probably won't have a problem, but they set limits lower than many people like, plus require storage in the original containers.

Jim

 

[Reefinmike]

I just closed on my first house this week and them insurance agents tick me off. by prying into your business. They specifically asked if my dog was a pitbull or other "dangerous breed". Fortunatly, when I found her roaming the streets of cincinnatti(starving, dehydrated and scared) 4 years ago, my vet put her down on paper as an american bulldog. She was probably a poor "fighting dog" before she was abandoned but she is perfect in every other category... sorry for the derailment

 

[Otto]

Ask your insurance agent....he should have the specific information you're looking for.

 

[Captaingyro]

Ask your insurance agent....he should have the specific information you're looking for.

"Miss Landers...did you forget to give us homework?"

"Did you want to fly this approach and landing, General?"

"You didn't have anything planned for this year's tax refund, did you Honey?"

If you're afraid of the answer, don't ask the question.

 

[Texan Scott]

... the choice is yours until you allow someone else to make it for you...

 

[bensdad]

I've never heard of it being an issue in a post-fire investigation, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Minnesota has specific regulations that involve quantities and container construction. If your house were to go up - and a thorough investigation were to follow - would you be in violation of any codes, laws, statutes or ordinances?

Bottom line - what are you comfortable with?

 

[Motownfire]

So what did your insurance company have to say in answer to this question Clutch ???

 

[beatledog7]

Half the stuff under every kitchen sink in America is more potentially dangerous than smokeless powder--without a fire. And it's being regularly used by people who have no idea what it can do.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Old refrigerators are great storage units for powder.


And I love the picture of the dog and cat chillin together.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

my barn and reloading room burnt to the ground a few years back. I wont say how much ammo and powder and primers were out there but lets just say a bunch. I was totaly honest with my insurance man (auto owners). hes been my agent for 30 years and about knows what i have anyway. He told me that as far as he and auto owners were conserned it was a non issue.

 

[rodinal220]