powder stoage cabinet
- Thread starter floydster
- Start date
- Status
medalguy
Member
Very nice cabinet, should work quite well in the unlikely event of a fire.
Seedtick
Member
And you built a fine looking one too!
I was gonna say you did a bang up job but decided that didn't look exactly right.
Seedtick
floydster
Member
Thanks guys, it's nothing fancy, but it works
Nitpicking here, but it needs a "weak" side in case of fire. (The hinges may qualify.) It also needs to be marked for firefighters in case of fire. A "flammable solid" sticker cut off of a box powder came in works. They all know what that symbol.
Looks great though.
Looks great though.
floydster
Member
Walk, all this powder and primer storage seems to be a dark area for us hand loaders---I can't find anything about a "weak" side on the wood cabinet on the SAMMI specs, just says 1" thick wood cabinet.
Our local fire code has nothing on storing powder and primers, neither does my homeowners policy---that's why I say it's a dark area.
I want to address this issue, but find it very confusing
Thanks, Floyd
Our local fire code has nothing on storing powder and primers, neither does my homeowners policy---that's why I say it's a dark area.
I want to address this issue, but find it very confusing
Thanks, Floyd
josephbw
Member
If you use a magnetic latch on the door, you will have a weak side for expansion purposes. The only downside would be if you have inquisitive little people around.
floydster
Member
SAMMI doesn't list smokeless powder and primers as an explosive,(when used for your own personal use), just an excellerant,even black powder, am very surprised at this.
While smokeless is not an explosive, it can produce explosive affects when contained while burning. Thus the reason for a weak side. I am planning on sprinkling my reloading room. Should have done it already. It will protect the safe, as well as help keep any powder from getting ignited.
oneounceload
member
Smokeless powder is NOT an explosive, which is why they do not list it - it is a flammable solid
Personally, I keep my powders in a closet inside with the primers, taking them out to the garage when it is time to reload. Nice cabinet, but I never saw the need for one
Personally, I keep my powders in a closet inside with the primers, taking them out to the garage when it is time to reload. Nice cabinet, but I never saw the need for one
floydster
Member
Anthony,
I was thinking about sprinkling my reloading room also, however I live out in the country with a well and in a house fire the elec. power would more then likely the first to go, so no water
I was thinking about sprinkling my reloading room also, however I live out in the country with a well and in a house fire the elec. power would more then likely the first to go, so no water
MtnCreek
Member
SAAMI has a publication on smokeless powder storage. As stated, the main focus is to insure burning powder can expand without building pressure. SAAMI also has a publication on primers and if I recall, the focus is to have a cabinet thick enough to (hopefully) delay ignition of the primers (meaning, hope the fire goes out before the primer detonate).
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MtnCreek
Member
Anthony,
I was thinking about sprinkling my reloading room also, however I live out in the country with a well and in a house fire the elec. power would more then likely the first to go, so no water
It's not going to give a lot of water, but a large pressure tank would give a supply of water after the pump stops (also keeps the pump from coming on every time you pour a glass of water).
Maximumbob54
Member
Smokeless powder burns and creates rapid gas expansion. The idea behind the cabinet is to not create a solid seal that will hold the expanding gas until the cabinet explodes. Smokeless powder needs the closed in space to build pressure to create an explosion. You will have to put some real effort and craftsmanship into any wood cabinet before you need to worry about it holding real pressure enough to explode. I still keep primers away from my powders, but it isn't nearly the danger that some people make it out to be. It's almost funny to me how people will keep the gallon can of gasoline handy in the garage and act like freaks over a can of smokeless powder.
Black powder is the exact opposite of all of the above and I would really limit the amount kept on hand.
Black powder is the exact opposite of all of the above and I would really limit the amount kept on hand.
gamestalker
member
Ah heck, I just keep all my powder and primers next to the furnace cabinet. The wall board around the furnace is made of fire resistent sheet rock.
MN Law trumps NFPA
SECTION 3306
SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION
3306.1 General. Indoor storage and display of black powder,
smokeless propellants and small arms ammunition shall comply
with this section and NFPA 495.
3306.2 Prohibited storage. Small arms ammunition shall not
be stored together with Division 1.1, Division 1.2 or Division
1.3 explosives unless the storage facility is suitable for the storage
of explosive materials.
3306.3 Packages. Smokeless propellants shall be stored in approved
shipping containers conforming to DOTn 49 CFR, Part
173.
3306.3.1 Repackaging. The bulk repackaging of smokeless
propellants, black powder, and small arms primers shall not
be performed in retail establishments.
3306.3.2 Damaged packages. Damaged containers shall
not be repackaged.
Exception: Approved repackaging of damaged containers
of smokeless propellant into containers of the same
type and size as the original container.
3306.4 Storage in residences. The storage of small arms ammunition
shall comply with Sections 3306.4.1 and 3306.4.2.
3306.4.1 Black powder and smokeless propellants. Propellants
for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20
pounds (9 kg) of black powder or 20 pounds (9 kg) of
smokeless powder shall be stored in original containers in
occupancies limited to Group R-3. Smokeless powder in
quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) but not exceeding 50
pounds (23 kg) kept in awooden box or cabinet havingwalls
of at least 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness shall be
allowed to be stored in occupancies limited to Group R-3.
Quantities exceeding these amounts shall not be stored in
any Group R occupancy.
3306.4.2 Small arms primers. No more than 10,000 small
arms primers shall be stored in occupancies limited to
Group R-3.
3306.5 Display and storage in Group M occupancies. The
display and storage of small arms ammunition in GroupMoccupancies
shall comply with this section.
3306.5.1 Display. Display of small arms ammunition in
Group M occupancies shall comply with Sections
3306.5.1.1 through 3306.5.1.3.
3306.5.1.1 Smokeless propellant. No more than 20
pounds (9 kg) of smokeless propellants, each in containers
of 1 pound (0.454 kg) or less capacity, shall be displayed
in Group M occupancies.
3306.5.1.2 Black powder. No more than 1 pound (0.454
kg) of black powder shall be displayed in GroupMoccupancies.
3306.5.1.3 Small arms primers. No more than 10,000
small arms primers shall be displayed in GroupMoccupancies.
3306.5.2 Storage. Storage of small arms ammunition shall
comply with Sections 3306.5.2.1 through 3306.5.2.3.
3306.5.2.1 Smokeless propellant. Commercial stocks
of smokeless propellants shall be stored as follows:
1. Quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg), but not exceeding
100 pounds (45 kg) shall be stored in portable
wooden boxes having walls of at least 1 inch
(25 mm) nominal thickness.
2. Quantities exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg), but not
exceeding 800 pounds (363 kg), shall be stored in
nonportable storage cabinets having walls at least
1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness. Not more than
400 pounds (182 kg) shall be stored in any one cabinet,
and cabinets shall be separated by a distance
of at least 25 feet (7620 mm) or by a fire partition
having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
3. Storage of quantities exceeding 800 pounds (363
kg), but not exceeding 5,000 pounds (2270 kg) in a
building shall comply with all of the following:
3.1. The warehouse or storage room is
unaccessible to unauthorized personnel.
3.2. Smokeless propellant shall be stored in
nonportable storage cabinets having wood
walls at least 1 inch (25 mm) nominal
thickness and having shelves with no more
than 3 feet (914mm)of separation between
shelves.
3.3. No more than 400 pounds (182 kg) is
stored in any one cabinet.
3.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of
the storage room orwarehouse with at least
40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets.
3.5. The minimum required separation between
cabinets shall be 20 feet (6096 mm)
provided that barricades twice the height of
the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway
between each cabinet. The barricades
must extend a minimum of 10 feet (3048
mm) outward, be firmly attached to the
wall, and be constructed of steel not less
than 0.25 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51
mm) nominal thickness wood, brick, or
concrete block.
3.6. Smokeless propellant shall be separated
from materials classified as combustible
liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids,
or oxidizing materials by a distance of
25 feet (7620 mm) by a fire partition having
a fire-resistance rating of 1 hour.
3.7. The building shall be equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
4. Smokeless propellants not stored according to
Item 1, 2, or 3 above shall be stored in a Type 2 or 4
magazine in accordance with Section 3304 and
NFPA 495.
3306.5.2.2 Black powder. Commercial stocks of black
powder in quantities less than 50 pounds (23 kg) shall be
allowed to be stored in Type 2 or 4 indoor or outdoor
magazines. Quantities greater than 50 pounds (23 kg)
shall be stored in outdoor Type 2 or 4 magazines. When
black powder and smokeless propellants are stored together
in the same magazine, the total quantity shall not
exceed that permitted for black powder.
3306.5.2.3 Small arms primers. Commercial stocks of
small arms primers shall be stored as follows.
1. Quantities not to exceed 750,000 small arms primers
stored in a building shall be arranged such that
not more than 100,000 small arms primers are
stored in any one pile and piles are at least 15 feet
(4572 mm) apart.
2. Quantities exceeding 750,000 small arms primers
stored in a building shall comply with all of the following:
2.1. The warehouse or storage building shall
not be accessible to unauthorized personnel.
2.2. Small arms primers shall be stored in cabinets.
No more than 200,000 small arms
primers shall be stored in any one cabinet.
2.3. Shelves in cabinets shall have vertical separation
of at least 2 feet (610 mm).
2.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of
thewarehouse or storage room with at least
40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets.
2.5. The minimum required separation between
cabinets shall be 20 feet (6096 mm)
provided that barricades twice the height of
the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway
between each cabinet. The barricades
shall be firmly attached to the wall, and
shall be constructed of steel not less than
0.25 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51 mm)
nominal thicknesswood, brick, or concrete
block.
2.6. Small arms primers shall be separated
from materials classified as combustible
liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids,
or oxidizing materials by a distance of
25 feet (7620 mm) by a fire partition having
a fire-resistance rating of 1 hour.
2.7. The building shall be protected throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
3. Small arms primers not stored in accordance with
Item 1 or 2 of this section shall be stored in a magazine
meeting the requirements of Section 3304 and
NFPA 495.
SECTION 3306
SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION
3306.1 General. Indoor storage and display of black powder,
smokeless propellants and small arms ammunition shall comply
with this section and NFPA 495.
3306.2 Prohibited storage. Small arms ammunition shall not
be stored together with Division 1.1, Division 1.2 or Division
1.3 explosives unless the storage facility is suitable for the storage
of explosive materials.
3306.3 Packages. Smokeless propellants shall be stored in approved
shipping containers conforming to DOTn 49 CFR, Part
173.
3306.3.1 Repackaging. The bulk repackaging of smokeless
propellants, black powder, and small arms primers shall not
be performed in retail establishments.
3306.3.2 Damaged packages. Damaged containers shall
not be repackaged.
Exception: Approved repackaging of damaged containers
of smokeless propellant into containers of the same
type and size as the original container.
3306.4 Storage in residences. The storage of small arms ammunition
shall comply with Sections 3306.4.1 and 3306.4.2.
3306.4.1 Black powder and smokeless propellants. Propellants
for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20
pounds (9 kg) of black powder or 20 pounds (9 kg) of
smokeless powder shall be stored in original containers in
occupancies limited to Group R-3. Smokeless powder in
quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) but not exceeding 50
pounds (23 kg) kept in awooden box or cabinet havingwalls
of at least 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness shall be
allowed to be stored in occupancies limited to Group R-3.
Quantities exceeding these amounts shall not be stored in
any Group R occupancy.
3306.4.2 Small arms primers. No more than 10,000 small
arms primers shall be stored in occupancies limited to
Group R-3.
3306.5 Display and storage in Group M occupancies. The
display and storage of small arms ammunition in GroupMoccupancies
shall comply with this section.
3306.5.1 Display. Display of small arms ammunition in
Group M occupancies shall comply with Sections
3306.5.1.1 through 3306.5.1.3.
3306.5.1.1 Smokeless propellant. No more than 20
pounds (9 kg) of smokeless propellants, each in containers
of 1 pound (0.454 kg) or less capacity, shall be displayed
in Group M occupancies.
3306.5.1.2 Black powder. No more than 1 pound (0.454
kg) of black powder shall be displayed in GroupMoccupancies.
3306.5.1.3 Small arms primers. No more than 10,000
small arms primers shall be displayed in GroupMoccupancies.
3306.5.2 Storage. Storage of small arms ammunition shall
comply with Sections 3306.5.2.1 through 3306.5.2.3.
3306.5.2.1 Smokeless propellant. Commercial stocks
of smokeless propellants shall be stored as follows:
1. Quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg), but not exceeding
100 pounds (45 kg) shall be stored in portable
wooden boxes having walls of at least 1 inch
(25 mm) nominal thickness.
2. Quantities exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg), but not
exceeding 800 pounds (363 kg), shall be stored in
nonportable storage cabinets having walls at least
1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness. Not more than
400 pounds (182 kg) shall be stored in any one cabinet,
and cabinets shall be separated by a distance
of at least 25 feet (7620 mm) or by a fire partition
having a fire-resistance rating of at least 1 hour.
3. Storage of quantities exceeding 800 pounds (363
kg), but not exceeding 5,000 pounds (2270 kg) in a
building shall comply with all of the following:
3.1. The warehouse or storage room is
unaccessible to unauthorized personnel.
3.2. Smokeless propellant shall be stored in
nonportable storage cabinets having wood
walls at least 1 inch (25 mm) nominal
thickness and having shelves with no more
than 3 feet (914mm)of separation between
shelves.
3.3. No more than 400 pounds (182 kg) is
stored in any one cabinet.
3.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of
the storage room orwarehouse with at least
40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets.
3.5. The minimum required separation between
cabinets shall be 20 feet (6096 mm)
provided that barricades twice the height of
the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway
between each cabinet. The barricades
must extend a minimum of 10 feet (3048
mm) outward, be firmly attached to the
wall, and be constructed of steel not less
than 0.25 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51
mm) nominal thickness wood, brick, or
concrete block.
3.6. Smokeless propellant shall be separated
from materials classified as combustible
liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids,
or oxidizing materials by a distance of
25 feet (7620 mm) by a fire partition having
a fire-resistance rating of 1 hour.
3.7. The building shall be equipped throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
4. Smokeless propellants not stored according to
Item 1, 2, or 3 above shall be stored in a Type 2 or 4
magazine in accordance with Section 3304 and
NFPA 495.
3306.5.2.2 Black powder. Commercial stocks of black
powder in quantities less than 50 pounds (23 kg) shall be
allowed to be stored in Type 2 or 4 indoor or outdoor
magazines. Quantities greater than 50 pounds (23 kg)
shall be stored in outdoor Type 2 or 4 magazines. When
black powder and smokeless propellants are stored together
in the same magazine, the total quantity shall not
exceed that permitted for black powder.
3306.5.2.3 Small arms primers. Commercial stocks of
small arms primers shall be stored as follows.
1. Quantities not to exceed 750,000 small arms primers
stored in a building shall be arranged such that
not more than 100,000 small arms primers are
stored in any one pile and piles are at least 15 feet
(4572 mm) apart.
2. Quantities exceeding 750,000 small arms primers
stored in a building shall comply with all of the following:
2.1. The warehouse or storage building shall
not be accessible to unauthorized personnel.
2.2. Small arms primers shall be stored in cabinets.
No more than 200,000 small arms
primers shall be stored in any one cabinet.
2.3. Shelves in cabinets shall have vertical separation
of at least 2 feet (610 mm).
2.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of
thewarehouse or storage room with at least
40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets.
2.5. The minimum required separation between
cabinets shall be 20 feet (6096 mm)
provided that barricades twice the height of
the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway
between each cabinet. The barricades
shall be firmly attached to the wall, and
shall be constructed of steel not less than
0.25 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51 mm)
nominal thicknesswood, brick, or concrete
block.
2.6. Small arms primers shall be separated
from materials classified as combustible
liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids,
or oxidizing materials by a distance of
25 feet (7620 mm) by a fire partition having
a fire-resistance rating of 1 hour.
2.7. The building shall be protected throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.
3. Small arms primers not stored in accordance with
Item 1 or 2 of this section shall be stored in a magazine
meeting the requirements of Section 3304 and
NFPA 495.
Hondo 60
Member
floydster - that is one fine looking cabinet.
I wish I had the talent to do that as well as you.
But me & most power tools have an agreement.
I don't touch & they don't bite, cut, drill or sand me to death.
I wish I had the talent to do that as well as you.
But me & most power tools have an agreement.
I don't touch & they don't bite, cut, drill or sand me to death.
Jumping Frog
Member
If I am not mistaken, I believe R-3 means multi-tenant buildings, like an apartment building. Not a stand-alone residence/home.
floydster
Member
Thanks guys for all the input, very much appreciated!!!
leadchucker
Member
Nice cabinet. Looks ideal for powder storage.
Now for the other question.
Where do you keep your primers?
Now for the other question.
Where do you keep your primers?
TxSoldier
Member
Love the cabinet, very nice job!! I like the use of the coffee containers too! Those look like handy little things to have around, I may have to find someone who drinks coffee save those for me!
floydster
Member
castingdonkey
Member
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2011
- Messages
- 194
Maybe someone should run some documented tests in their big yard somewhere. I don't reccomend it, but it could be interesting
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