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Storage of Explosives

General: Explosives including special industrial high explosive materials shall be stored in magazines which meet the requirements of this article. This shall not be construed as applying to wholesale and retail stocks of small arms ammunition explosive bolts explosive rivets or cartridges for explosive-actuated power tools in quantities involving less than five hundred (500) pounds of explosive material. Magazines shall be in the custody of a competent person at all times who shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who shall be held responsible for compliance with all safety precautions. A certified blaster shall be the sole possessor of keys to locks on fence gates and magazine locks. 

1.

 Control in wholesale and retail stores: The storage of or display of explosives and blasting caps in wholesale and retail stores is prohibited.
2. Magazine clearances: Class I and Class II magazines shall be located away from inhabited buildings passenger railways public highways and other magazines in conformance with Table F-2602 except as provided in Section F-2602.2.
3. Magazine Construction: Magazines shall be constructed and maintained as outlined in N.F.P.A. 495 as listed in Appendix A of this code and as follows:
 
  • Class I magazines shall include Type 1; Type 2 Outdoor Box Magazine; and Type 3 Vehicular Magazine as outlined in N.F.P.A. 495 except the latter type shall meet all lock requirements for a Type 1 magazine.

  • Class II magazines shall be constructed of two (2) inch tongue and grooved hardwood covered on the outside with No. 20 U.S. standard gauge sheet iron or aluminum or of all metal construction with side bottom and cover of sheet metal lines with three-eighties (3/8) inch plywood or the equivalent. Class II magazines shall have a minimum of two (2) locks with different keying for each lock plus locks shall be protected by steel hoods that are installed in a manner to prevent insertion of bolt cutters.
4. Weather Resistance: Magazines for the storage of explosives shall be weather resistant and properly ventilated and when used for storage of Class A explosives other than black powder blasting caps and electric blasting caps shall also be bullet resistant.
5.

Magazine Heat and Light: Magazines shall not be provided with artificial heat or light except that if artificial light is necessary an approved electric safety flashlight or safety lantern shall be used.
6. Safety Precautions: Smoking matches open flames spark producing devices and firearms shall be prohibited inside or within fifty (50) feet of magazines. Combustible materials shall not be stored within fifty (50) feet of magazines.
7. Surrounding Terrain: The land surrounding magazines shall be kept clear of brush dried grass leaves trash and debris for a distance of at least twenty-five (25) feet.
8. Locking Security: Magazines shall be kept locked except when being inspected or when explosives are being placed therein or being removed there from.
9. Magazine Housekeeping: Magazines shall be kept clean dry and free of grit paper empty packages and rubbish.
10. Separation of Detonators and Explosives: Blasting caps electric blasting caps detonating primers and primed cartridges shall not be stored in the same magazine with other explosives.
11. Explosive Unpacking: Packages of explosives shall not be unpacked or repacked in a magazine nor within fifty (50) feet of a magazine.
12. Magazine Contents: Magazines shall not be used for the storage of any metal tools or of any commodity except explosives but this restriction shall not apply to the storage of blasting agents blasting supplies and oxidizers used in compound blasting agents.
13. Unstable Explosives: When an explosive has deteriorated to an extent that it is an unstable or dangerous condition or if nitroglycerin leaks from any explosive then the person in possession of such explosive shall immediately report the fact to the fire official and upon his authorization shall proceed to destroy such explosives and clean floors stained with nitroglycerin in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer. Only experienced persons shall do the work of destroying explosives.
14. Class I Magazine Warnings: Property upon which Class I magazines are located shall be posted with signs reading EXPLOSIVES--KEEP OFF. Such signs shall be located so as to minimize the possibility of a bullet traveling in the direction of the magazine if anyone shoots at the sign.
15. Class II Magazine Warnings: Class II magazines shall be painted red and shall bear lettering in white on all sides and top at least three (3) inches high reading EXPLOSIVES--KEEP FIRE AWAY.
16. Magazine Use: Class I magazines shall be used for the storage of explosives when quantities are in excess of fifty (50) pounds of explosive material and for the overnight storage of explosives regardless of the quantity.
17. Class II Magazine: Class II magazines may be used for temporary storage of explosives at the site of blasting operations where such amount constitutes not more than one day's supply for use in current operations. All explosives not used in the day's operation shall be returned to the Class I magazine at the end of the workday for overnight storage. In no case shall a Class II magazine be used for overnight storage.
18. Fencing: An eight (8) foot chain link fence or a six (6) foot chain link fence with three (3) strands of barbed wire around the top shall be provided around a Class I magazine installation. This fence shall have a gate in it equipped with casehardened locks and hasps.
19. Records: Daily records shall be kept as to the amount of explosives received from a supplier and delivered to the magazine. Also a daily record shall be kept of the explosives removed from the magazine for daily use and the amount of explosives returned. This record will be kept within the magazine so that on inspection of the magazine accountability for all explosives can be made. The accountability of explosives shall be broken down as to the different types stored and used. Forms for these records shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.

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