I'm working on a new spot to do my loading and store my stuff. I rejected one closet because it backed up to my outdoor kitchen area where at least 20lbs of propane fry fish/boil shrimp regular. Didn't seem like the best idea if something got out of hand on the burner. This got me to thinking about fire hazards and how might I minimize risk with my reloading items. Is there a way to build a simple fire resistant powder storage? Also, what precautions do you take relative to storing powder and primers? What type and size of extinguisher should one have within easy reach? I appreciate any input. Thank you.
Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
- Thread starter Surffshr
- Start date
Re: Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
I Keep my powder in an old refrigerator in the garage, and primers in ammo can on the other side of the garage. I only bring what I'm using at the moment into the house.
This also helps prevent mixing up powders.
I Keep my powder in an old refrigerator in the garage, and primers in ammo can on the other side of the garage. I only bring what I'm using at the moment into the house.
This also helps prevent mixing up powders.
Re: Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
I try to keep my powders in a cool dry location away from any ignition sources... same goes for my primers.
I keep this stuff away from any other cleaning producs or chemicals just to be safe. Im not concerned about ignition so much as i am about contamination.
I figure if a fire manages to make its way to my powders/primers my house is pretty much going to burn anyways in which case exploding primers is the least of my concerns.
I try to keep my powders in a cool dry location away from any ignition sources... same goes for my primers.
I keep this stuff away from any other cleaning producs or chemicals just to be safe. Im not concerned about ignition so much as i am about contamination.
I figure if a fire manages to make its way to my powders/primers my house is pretty much going to burn anyways in which case exploding primers is the least of my concerns.
Re: Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
Check with your local fire department for pointers on safe storage of combustibles. Keeping secrets about hazardous storage from them is never a good idea. They make better allies than enemies. If what you're doing is illegal, you're the one who's in the wrong; and it's <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> obligation to know what is and isn't illegal about storing your combustibles.
I would recommend that powder be kept in the smallest possible quantities within wooden cabinets that will not generate high internal pressures, and are small enough to be carried outdoors by an individual in an emergency. Several smaller ones with some reasonable separation between them is better than one big one. Mark them clearly as flammable, and keep them near the likeliest entry point a fireman might use, so they can easily and quickly find and remove them if time permits.
Fire extinguishers are always a good idea, but if a fire is endingering a powder storage area, drop the extringuisher and split like two minutes ago. Otherwise, you stand a good chance of having a memorial named after you. Don't complicate the fireman's job by lingering in the endangered area.
Let the pros do the heavy lifting, they're trained to both do it <span style="font-style: italic">and</span> survive. You're probably not anywhere as good at it.
Greg
Check with your local fire department for pointers on safe storage of combustibles. Keeping secrets about hazardous storage from them is never a good idea. They make better allies than enemies. If what you're doing is illegal, you're the one who's in the wrong; and it's <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> obligation to know what is and isn't illegal about storing your combustibles.
I would recommend that powder be kept in the smallest possible quantities within wooden cabinets that will not generate high internal pressures, and are small enough to be carried outdoors by an individual in an emergency. Several smaller ones with some reasonable separation between them is better than one big one. Mark them clearly as flammable, and keep them near the likeliest entry point a fireman might use, so they can easily and quickly find and remove them if time permits.
Fire extinguishers are always a good idea, but if a fire is endingering a powder storage area, drop the extringuisher and split like two minutes ago. Otherwise, you stand a good chance of having a memorial named after you. Don't complicate the fireman's job by lingering in the endangered area.
Let the pros do the heavy lifting, they're trained to both do it <span style="font-style: italic">and</span> survive. You're probably not anywhere as good at it.
Greg
Re: Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
Powder MUST be stored in a pressure release type container. Something which will vent a LOT of gas once it starts to burn.
It will blow a safe (and likely the wall it's attached to) or any tight container.
I use a metal unit which will blow the doors with low internal pressure. Wood is good. Anything heavy and not able to vent is a bomb casing.
If you keep a lot of powder then use mutiple containers away from each other. Put enough powder in one spot and light it and the gas speed/flame front will speed up until it detonates (not technically correct but descriptive enough @1:30 AM). that's why burning off powders is done in a line and with very limited lengths.
You won't fight a fire which has hit your storage container. You just get out. Your local fire guys will likely do the same buy try some high pressure water to get it under control.
You can use fibreglass blankets and make an enviroment which is far less likely to light but it your house is going up...
I would use normal fire precautions as we all should have, store it correctly and make sure you are insured
Just so we are clear about this, a few cans of powder in your safe is enough to blow the safe and your wall. I've got pics here of it happening. Didn't do the house much good at all.
Powder MUST be stored in a pressure release type container. Something which will vent a LOT of gas once it starts to burn.
It will blow a safe (and likely the wall it's attached to) or any tight container.
I use a metal unit which will blow the doors with low internal pressure. Wood is good. Anything heavy and not able to vent is a bomb casing.
If you keep a lot of powder then use mutiple containers away from each other. Put enough powder in one spot and light it and the gas speed/flame front will speed up until it detonates (not technically correct but descriptive enough @1:30 AM). that's why burning off powders is done in a line and with very limited lengths.
You won't fight a fire which has hit your storage container. You just get out. Your local fire guys will likely do the same buy try some high pressure water to get it under control.
You can use fibreglass blankets and make an enviroment which is far less likely to light but it your house is going up...
I would use normal fire precautions as we all should have, store it correctly and make sure you are insured
Just so we are clear about this, a few cans of powder in your safe is enough to blow the safe and your wall. I've got pics here of it happening. Didn't do the house much good at all.
Re: Safety Q's - Powder storage/fire extinguisher
I'm storing 2 - 8lb kegs and maybe 6-1lb containers. Primer wise I probably have 5k or so. Currently the powder is sitting on a shelf in a closet. Primers are in some ammo cans same closet...sounds like that may not be the best idea I've had. Finding some info online now that I remembered I'm online
I'm storing 2 - 8lb kegs and maybe 6-1lb containers. Primer wise I probably have 5k or so. Currently the powder is sitting on a shelf in a closet. Primers are in some ammo cans same closet...sounds like that may not be the best idea I've had. Finding some info online now that I remembered I'm online
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