Powder/ammo storage distance from gunsafe

[Kramerica]

Is there a general rule about the distance ammo and powder should be stored away from a gunsafe in preparing for the unfortunate event of a house fire?

 

[jwink]

No, by the time the fire could breach a half ways decent gun safe, the powder and ammo would be long gone. Unless we are talking lots and lots of powder, like maybe 500 #.

 

[Zeke 225]

I kinda wonder about that my self, hate to buy my neighbor house too there about 1-1/2 acres away. Last I looked had roughly 2m grains laying around.

 

[onelastshot]

My gun safe is in my reloading room where all my powder and primers are stored. Less than 10 feet away.

 

[Falfan2017]

I think the primers are a lot more dangerous in high quantities than modern smokeless propellant.

 

[rwj]

Your homeowners insurance company may have an applicable requirement...

 

[corning]

Your homeowners insurance company may have an applicable requirement...

1) My homeowners insurance company does't need to know what I have in my house.
2) I wouldn't tell them. (see point 1)
3) they have not asked, so I would never ask the suggested question.

 

[klamathsteel]

My powder and primers are IN my gun safe. I have a dehydrator in it.

 

[Taildrag15X]

My powder and primers are IN my gun safe. I have a dehydrator in it.

You sir have a bomb.

Powder and primers should be stored in fiberboard or wood boxes.

 

[Ggmac]

My powder and primers are IN my gun safe. I have a dehydrator in it.

A bomb ! Absolutely! Plus the deteriorating fumes from the reloading components are harmful to the finish of the firearms . There's a federal law that governs powder , and primers , both volume ( how much you can have and storage )
I haven't had coffee yet but I'll repost the fed storage regs later .

Forgot to say , insurance company can refuse to pay IF they find improper storage .

 

[rwj]

1) My homeowners insurance company does't need to know what I have in my house.
2) I wouldn't tell them. (see point 1)
3) they have not asked, so I would never ask the suggested question.

You don’t have to ask them, just read the policy to determine if there is a requirement.

 

[JSH]

Finding info on proper storage cabinets for powder and primer is abundant, and a safe is not one of them.

I am trying to figure why there would be a distance from guns to powder, primer and ammo.
Mine are all stored separate, but not where I have to take a lot of extra steps to get from one to the other.

 

[JEFFPPC]

1) My homeowners insurance company does't need to know what I have in my house.
2) I wouldn't tell them. (see point 1)
3) they have not asked, so I would never ask the suggested question.

Corning, you are so correct. It amazes me the info people volunteer to those with no need to know. I read this post and shake my head. I had a boss who had a small device on his desk with a red button. When the button was pressed a sad voice proclaimed........... I'm surrounded by idiots.

 

[Bill K]

I may well be wrong, but I thought the regulation on having a wooden box and certain amount of powder was only for the storage of black powder. BP will flat out blow, where as smokeless just burns and flashes off, when lit and not tightly contained i.e. cartridge or very tight container.

I keep my smokeless powders and primers separate from my firearms and in a wood cabinet, built with drawers and shelves, but it is also in the loading room where my gun safe is and it is about 12 feet away, anchored to a wall and side wall. ( the gun safe that is)

 

[dsculley]

I store mine in an old refrigerator, powder in the fridge, primers in the freezer. The magnetic seal on the door will open under moderate pressure and allow the gases to escape in the event of a fire. The insulation in the fridge helps to moderate the temp swings as my reloading room is not climate controlled.

Here is what I found on the ATF website regarding storage of smokeless powder:

Is smokeless powder designed for use in small arms ammunition subject to the explosives storage requirements?
Smokeless powders designed for use in small arms ammunition are exempt from regulation under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40 and the regulations in 27 CFR Part 555. Packaging that readily identifies the smokeless powder as being designed for use in small arms ammunition may help in determining whether it is entitled to the exemption. Smokeless powder designed for use other than in small arms ammunition, and explosive products such as squibs, fireworks, theatrical special effects, or other articles that may contain smokeless powders, are regulated and must be stored pursuant to the regulations at 27 CFR 555, Subpart K – Storage.

It should be noted that persons engaged in the business of importing or manufacturing smokeless powder designed for any use must have a Federal explosives license. Further, importers of smokeless powder designed for use in small arms ammunition must also possess an ATF firearms importers license (Type 08 or 11); must register with ATF under the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act; and must submit (to ATF) and receive an approved ATF Form 6 – part I (5330.3A), Application and Permit for Importation of Firearms Ammunition and Implements of War.


What are the classes of explosive materials for storage purposes?
There are 3 classes of explosive materials:

(a) High explosives (for example, dynamite, flash powders, and bulk salutes);

(b) Low explosives (for example, black powder, safety fuses, igniters, igniter cords, fuse lighters, and “display fireworks”, except for bulk salutes); and

(c) Blasting agents (for example, ammonium nitrate-fuel oil and certain water gels).

[27 CFR 555.202]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You will note that smokeless gun powder is not listed above as an explosive and is exempt from storage regulations when used for small arms ammunition.

 

[Bbear]

Having just gone through a garage fire with only 2 sets of powders in the garage (a total of only 12 lbs of powder), keeping it separate is a good idea. Currently, mine is stored in original containers on a shelf in a closet where the gun safe is located. All of my reloading is done in the garage on the other end of the house.
BTW, neither of the 2 sets of powder in the garage were incinerated but one 8lb container was melted through on one side. That powder should make for a very nice garden this summer.

 

[Catfur]

Also, quantities of black powder, less than 50#, for use in firearms are exempt from the ATF explosives regulations [27 CFR §555.141(b)].

 

[rkittine]

I also use a refrigerator that has had the latches modified to allow opening with very little internal pressure. I keep it plugged in and running on low. Used to store all my photographic film that way too.

 

[carlsbad]

I got a good deal on one of these:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...GFdpQrm2bGUSPN7NKyRoCbFwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Wenzl]

I’ve read where primers are the main concern. Loaded ammo and powder do not pose the threat of primers.

It’s important to not only be legal (both with laws and IAW your insurance company) but it also important to consider worse case scenario and what firefighters would have to deal with. We need to protect those who protect us.

The frig is a great way to store a lot of things that are not in a climate controlled area including tools or equipment that could otherwise rust from sweat caused by rapid temp changes. My dad taught me that back in the 60s when he stored his welding rod in a fridge.

Last thing I have to consider is a safe location. Stored in the basement or on the main floor??? If on the main floor and in a fire it could potentially fall through the floor... in the basement seems like a fire pit (a place for the coals to fall).

Not sure but the fall seems worse than basement storage. An attached garage seems the best place. Can’t fall through the floor, and near an outer wall might be better than the middle of the fire pit lol

Good thread