Propellant storage box

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The WOODEN box is supposed to provide a fair amount of insulation and consumes energy by charring.
So if the fire is not too long lasting, you might not find out about the blowout panel or loose lid.
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Probably the single best concept explanation I've seen.
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Mega Dittos . . .

That said, hard to beat these for utility, stackability, portability, water 'protection' and "blow-out" release of pressures:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....o-crate-dark-earth-19inch-x-15point75inch-x-8
 
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MEHavey said:
Mega Dittos . . .

That said, hard to beat these for utility, stackability, portability, water 'protection' and "blow-out" release of pressures:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....o-crate-dark-earth-19inch-x-15point75inch-x-8
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I bought a few of those for boxed/loaded ammo. They’re actually very nice for that purpose. However, they are water-proof and clasp tightly enough to survive a four-five foot fall when filled with heavy loose stuff so they may build pressure. May not, either. Either way, they’re pretty tough and a good bargain.
 
Remington1911 said:
I can understand that argument, he brought up, and I guess unless your wood box actually catches fire it would work like in his pictures. Wonder what the diff would be between a wood box and a metal box with some kind of insulation inside? I would think metal would be better as wood does burn.
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I think I agree. Here's where I hesitate: Possibly the metal box could be too strong and encourage the powder to build up pressure; a bomb in short. Even slightly vented - loose lid for instance - the pressure build up could be too much. Now please, I have never run or assisted in the running of such a test. This just makes sense to my alleged mind.
I am glad you mentioned insulation. A simple metal container, exposed to a house fire, would be as hot as the fire. Which would set off the powder.
One should learn something every day. Even if it's not to bother the cute kitty next door.
 
MEHavey said:
Mega Dittos . . .
That said, hard to beat these for utility, stackability, portability, water 'protection' and "blow-out" release of pressures:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....o-crate-dark-earth-19inch-x-15point75inch-x-8
Click to expand...
I like those boxes. I have several (smaller size) ones. The bigger ones tend - at my place - to quickly get too heavy to move conveniently. Getting old is NOT for sissies.

My fear is they are made of plastic. A very advanced and strong plastic to be sure, but I am concerned, in context, with melting. Even partially, the powder might survive and not a problem, but the recovery of the powder would seem to be difficult.
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
I use cardboard boxes to separate the pounders and keep it all on steel wire shelves in a closet with a ventilated door. The closet is drywall and concrete and has a heat-triggered water extinguisher in the ceiling. Local FD says that’s fine. Same caution as everyone else about keeping guns loaded. Loaded ammo is in a Steelcase locking cabinet in plastic keepers and retail-style boxes. The Chief didn’t bat an eye at any of the loaded ammo. He did tell me last time he was out about a car fire following an accident where there were a bunch of loaded rifles that cooked off. Nobody was hurt by gunfire but a Deputy Sheriff at the scene did catch some gun parts when one of them came apart. Chief said it was probably a loaded magazine.

Two counties East of me the FD’s policy is to let a house burn and just contain the fire if its known to have reloading components and ammunition inside. They consider it too risky to try and put out the fire.
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Not near as scary as having an torch in the garage. How many people have a 5 gallon propane bottle just sitting in the garage.
 
AJC1 said:
What a 14" gas line gets you.
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I was in Germany when that happened. Don’t remember hearing about it in the news “over there.” Impressive boom. We aren’t piped for gas but I do have some propane and butane bottles out in the barn. Probably 75-80 feet from the house.
 
GeoDudeFlorida said:
I was in Germany when that happened. Don’t remember hearing about it in the news “over there.” Impressive boom. We aren’t piped for gas but I do have some propane and butane bottles out in the barn. Probably 75-80 feet from the house.
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A real garage is a huge problem in a fire and reloading supplies are just the start. A couple cans of starting fluid is enough to have a very bad day.
 
Bcwitt said:
Why not use an old refrigerator or a hazmat locker?
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I'm currently looking for a smaller 'don't care if it works or not' fridge for powder storage. As long as it has child-proof latches, it's probably the best I can muster without dropping $ome coin on one of those professional-made units.
(Wishing I had a workshop and that wood wasn't so darn expensive so I could build one.)
 
Skgreen said:
I'm currently looking for a smaller 'don't care if it works or not' fridge for powder storage. As long as it has child-proof latches, it's probably the best I can muster without dropping $ome coin on one of those professional-made units.
(Wishing I had a workshop and that wood wasn't so darn expensive so I could build one.)
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I have seen people use old metal coolers as well.
 
AJC1 said:
A real garage is a huge problem in a fire and reloading supplies are just the start. A couple cans of starting fluid is enough to have a very bad day.
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No, not a garage, a barn. We don’t have a garage. We have a shed, a barn, and a utility room. We also have a semi-detached storage room where I keep my reloading supplies. No combustibles go in the utility room or shed. No unsealed combustibles go in the barn. Accelerants and explosives kept in places where, if they went catastrophic, it would do the least possible harm... I’m not stupid. :)
 
AJC1 said:
How many people have a 5 gallon propane bottle just sitting in the garage
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Somewhat off topic, but a prime example of my past ignorance. Might help others,,

Past: We used our 20lb'er a couple times a year for outdoor/garage heat. During the summer, I'd store it in the attic space above the garage,,, :eek:
Present: Tanks are stored outside in the shade, away from the house.

My reloading components would not equal the blast created by a 20 lb'er cooking off. (Insert 'banging my dumb head on the wall repeatedly' emoji here.)

I'm still considering getting a small fridge,,,,

I'm most likely not currently in compliance with the Fire Code, and I'm fully aware 'stored in a fridge' is not going to change that.

All I'm hoping for with a fridge would be to buy a little time for the Occupants and First Responders.
 
Skgreen said:
Somewhat off topic, but a prime example of my past ignorance. Might help others,,

Past: We used our 20lb'er a couple times a year for outdoor/garage heat. During the summer, I'd store it in the attic space above the garage,,, :eek:
Present: Tanks are stored outside in the shade, away from the house.

My reloading components would not equal the blast created by a 20 lb'er cooking off. (Insert 'banging my dumb head on the wall repeatedly' emoji here.)

I'm still considering getting a small fridge,,,,

I'm most likely not currently in compliance with the Fire Code, and I'm fully aware 'stored in a fridge' is not going to change that.

All I'm hoping for with a fridge would be to buy a little time for the Occupants and First Responders.
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There are training videos for fire departments, that are published on this site. The only danger is powder/primers in sealed metal containers (ammo cans) and loaded guns. The rest is basically no worry.
 
Skgreen said:
I'm currently looking for a smaller 'don't care if it works or not' fridge for powder storage. As long as it has child-proof latches, it's probably the best I can muster without dropping $ome coin on one of those professional-made units.
(Wishing I had a workshop and that wood wasn't so darn expensive so I could build one.)
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Try the craigslist free section.
 
As someone who has been through a garage fire with reloading components inside, i always feel compelled to reply to these threads...

The fire in question was our 40x72 stick frame, insulated metal building. The fire investigator said it certainly got over 2000°F. Cause unknown. Total fuel inside was close to 100 gallons, between trucks, tractors, etc.

Powder was stored in a running mini fridge; over 30 lbs of smokeless and a pound of Holy Black. Primers were in wood cabinets on the wall. Live ammo was scattered in a few places.

I heard the primers go off. Imagine a roll of 15k firecrackers getting tossed into a bonfire. It lasted maybe 10 seconds.

The only explosion that was certainly an explosion, was the big oxygen bottle from my acetylene torch. It ruptured big enough to lay a pair of basketballs in it. Strong enough to blow a porcelain Beech Nut sign off the wall 20 feet away. Thats what saved that sign: the drop tile ceiling fell on top of it and all the insulation kept it in relatively perfect shape. The firemen were not concerned about the smokeless, but did want to know how much Holy Black was in there.

Live ammo was a mix of melted brass with projectiles still seated, and some with the projectile laying just in front of it. Many of which were just the copper jacket. Others were just an amalgamation of molten lead and empty copper jackets. Thats how my bullet drawer looked too. Ammo will not "shoot" anyone. It needs a pressure vessel and a barrel of any length to project the projectile.

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This bronco was lifted 6" and on 37s... Now it might be part of your new dishwasher.
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Picked these 2 up at a used appliance store. Both had the compressors removed and were awaiting the scrap man.
Each is roughly 2 ft wide 2 ft deep. I plan on stacking them to save floor space.

Free for the taking,,,:)

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My powder box has 2 layers of 3/4 plywood and a layer of fire resistant drywall. No blow out panels but the top is unhinged and sits on top.
I've experienced a house fire and it is something you don't forget.
 
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As my reloading expanded over the years, I ended up with powders and primers 'sitting around in various places'. I'm glad to finally have it all consolidated and stored in a somewhat safer place.

A little black paint on those (2) high tech, cellulose-based stacking members (2 X 6's) and I'm done:

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South Prairie Jim said:
A couple layers of 5/8 type X drywall is more likely
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It would be pretty easy to tell if it were but it’s not. That said, I don’t know what refractory material they did use. If you are ever fooling with old safes, it might be worth being cautious as asbestos was used in them by some manufacturers.

https://www.hsa.ie/eng/your_industr...s_risks_in_safes_and_fire_resistant_cabinets/

There are also ambulance chasers ready and waiting. I didn’t mess with mine other than a look inside and put the cover back on. Seems most of the risks were to the people putting them together.

https://www.thelyonfirm.com/asbestos-exposure/canton-diebold-workers/

https://malignantmesotheliomalawyers.com/herring-hall-marvin-safe-co-asbestos-lawsuits/
 
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