Storing powder in plastic tool box

[vito]

Just starting to reload, and I want to keep my powder containers and primers out of the reach of visiting grandchildren who might be visiting. My reloading area is in my work room/furnace room, and I am storing the powder and primers separately in locked plastic tool boxes. It appears that other reloaders store powder in metal cabinets, and I wondered if there is some reason not to use plastic containers. So far I just have two, one pound powder containers. Any advice?

 

[cfullgraf]

You do not want to store powder or primers in a cabinet or container that will build pressure and become a bomb if exposed to a fire.

A plastic box will probably melt and open the inside before the powder and primers are set off.

SAAMI recommends a heavy wood cabinet for storing powder. You need to see their information for the exact details on the cabinet.

 

[vito]

Maybe I should just build my own wooden box, with open space between the wood slats. That would protect the powder from children's hands but not contain any type of pressure for a possible explosion.

 

[THe Dove]

Can you lock the door to your work/furnace room? If small children don't need access to it then I would lock the entire room. I don't have small kids anymore but I still have the lock on the door to the room where I store ammo, guns, reloading supplies etc.... in the event we have visitors that have small kids.

Just an idea.

The Dove

 

[bluetopper]

I see no problem whatsoever in keeping them in locked plastic toolboxes.

 

[mayassa]

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWST08203-Tough-System-Large/dp/B005HNJQAU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358903164&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+tool+boxes



These are lockable and have a manual pressure release on the top that you can leave open. I have 5 of them in different sizes for tools.

 

[dragon813gt]

Personally I would not store them near an ignition source like a furnace. This is assuming it burns a fossil fuel and isn't a Water Furnace.

Here is the part of the NFPA manual pertaining to residential storage:
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.

And most people aren't aware of this one:
11-5.4 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be stored in residences.

Almost every Reloader is in violation of primer storage.


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[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for asking our advice.

Or you could put a couple of 1/4" vent holes in the plastic toolboxes.

I don't know the ages of your grandchildren, but remember that toddlers will put almost anything in their mouths, so if any child under about 8 will have access to your loading room wet-mopping and thorough clean-up of all powder spills and primer dust (and especially dropped primers, spent or live) is in order.

Padlocking the door is probably wisest until they are old enough to help you load.

Lost Sheep