Storage of Explosive Materials Chapter 296-52 - Part E

For printing

WAC

296-52-69005 Detonators.

296-52-69010 Explosives.

296-52-69015 Exempt explosives.

296-52-69020 Storage facilities.

296-52-69025 Quantity and distance tables.

296-52-69030 Storage within magazines.

296-52-69035 Storage limits.

296-52-69040 Notification of fire safety authority.

296-52-69045 Magazine repairs.

296-52-69050 Inventory.

296-52-69055 Inspection.

296-52-69060 Precautions for areas surrounding magazine.

296-52-69065 Deteriorated explosives.

296-52-69070 Explosives recovered from misfires.

296-52-69080 Blast site storage.

296-52-69085 Multiple magazines.

296-52-69090 Blasting agents and supplies.

296-52-69095 Ammonium nitrate.

296-52-69105 Table H-20--Table of distances for storage of explosives.

296-52-69110 Table H-21--Quantity and distance table for separation between magazines.

296-52-69115 Table H-22--Separation distances of ammonium nitrate and blasting agents from explosives or blasting agents.

296-52-69120 Table H-23--Quantity and distance tables for manufacturing buildings.

296-52-69125 Table H-24--Low explosives.

WAC 296-52-69005 Detonators. 

Detonators must not be stored in magazines where other explosives are stored.

WAC 296-52-69010 Explosives. 

All Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 explosives, special industrial explosives, and any newly developed unclassified explosives, must be kept in magazines that meet the requirements of RCW 70.74.120 and this chapter, unless the explosives are:

• In the manufacturing process

• Being physically handled

• Being used at the blast site

OR

• Being transported to a place of storage or use.

WAC 296-52-69015 Exempt explosives. Explosives exempt from these storage requirements are:

WAC 296-52-69020 Storage facilities. 

Explosives, except as specified in WAC 296-52-69015, and detonators in quantities of more than 1,000 must be stored in permanent Type 1 magazines or approved and licensed magazines.

Note 1: Components storage.

Any 2 components which when mixed and become capable of detonation by a #8 detonator must be stored in a licensed approved magazine. Each component of two component explosives when unmixed must be stored in separate locked containers.

Note 2: Electro magnetic radiation precautions.

Blasting operations or storage of electrical detonators are prohibited in the area of operation radio frequency (RF) transmitter stations except where the clearances (WAC 296-52-67060, Extraneous electricity and radio frequency (RF) transmitters) can be observed.

Note 3: Detonators, electric detonators, detonating primers, and primed cartridges.

Detonators, electric detonators, detonating primers, and primed cartridges can't be stored together or in the same magazine with other explosives.

Note 4: Ammonium perchlorate rocket motors.

Ammonium perchlorate rocket motors in 62.5 grams amounts or greater, but not exceed 50 pounds in total weight of explosives, may be stored in an attached garage of a single-family residence if the living area is separated by a fire wall with a one-hour minimum fire resistance.

WAC 296-52-69025 Quantity and distance tables. 

All explosive manufacturing buildings and magazines that store explosives or blasting agents (except small arms ammunition and smokeless powder), must meet the requirements as specified in:

• Table H-20, Distances for Storage of Explosives

• Table H-21, Distance Table for Separation between Magazines

• Table H-22, Separation Distance of Ammonium Nitrate and Blasting Agent from Explosives or Blasting Agents.

WAC 296-52-69030 Storage within magazines.

(1) Storage materials. Magazines can't be used for storage of metal tools or any commodity other than:

• Explosives

• Blasting agents

• Blasting supplies

(2) Black powder.

• Black powder must be stored separately from other explosives in a magazine

• Kegs must be stored on end, bungs down, on sides, seams down

(3) Age/or date mark. Explosives that aren't already age/or date marked by the manufacturer, must be marked with the manufacturing date before being stored in the magazine.

Note: Unidentified explosives confiscated by law enforcement may be marked with the confiscation date, if the manufacturer's date is unknown.

(4) Grades and brands.

• Identical grades and brands of explosives must be stored together, with the brands and grade marks showing

• Explosive materials must be stored so they can be easily checked and counted

(5) Package placement. Explosive packages must be:

• Placed right side up

• Stacked so they are stable

(6) Ventilation. Explosive material can't be:

• Stored where they could interfere with ventilation

or

• Placed less than 2 inches from the interior walls

Note: Nonsparking lattice or other nonsparking material may be used to prevent contact of stored explosive material with interior walls.

(7) Housekeeping.

• Magazine floors must be:

• Regularly swept and the sweepings properly disposed of

• Kept clean and dry

• Free of grit, paper, and used packages or rubbish

• Brooms and other cleaning tools can't have any spark producing metal parts

• Floors stained with nitroglycerin must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions

(8) Unpacking or repacking explosives.

• Containers of explosives (except for fiberboard or other nonmetal containers) can't be unpacked or repacked:

• In a magazine

• Within 50 feet of a magazine

or

• Near other explosives

• Opened packages of explosives must be securely closed before returning them to a magazine

• Tools used for opening packages of explosives must be constructed of nonsparking materials

• A wood wedge and a fiber, rubber, or wood mallet must be used for opening or closing wooden crates of explosives.

WAC 296-52-69035 Storage limits. 

More than 300,000 pounds of explosive materials or 20,000,000 of detonators can't be stored in the same storage magazine.

WAC 296-52-69040 Notification of fire safety authority. 

Any person who stores explosive material must notify the local fire safety authority, who has jurisdiction over the area where the explosive material is stored.

(1) The local fire safety authority must be notified:

• Orally, on the first day explosive materials are stored

• In writing, within 48 hours, from the time the explosive material was stored

(2) The notification must include the following for each site where explosive material is stored:

• Type of explosives

• Magazine capacity

• Location.

WAC 296-52-69045 Magazine repairs. 

Before beginning repair activities that could cause sparks or fire:

• All explosives must be removed from the magazine under repair and placed in another magazine or a safe distance away

• Explosives must be properly guarded until they are returned to the magazine

• The floor must be cleaned before beginning repairs inside a magazine.

WAC 296-52-69050 Inventory.

(1) A qualified person must be:

• Responsible for the magazine at all times

• At least 21 years old

• Held responsible for the enforcement of all safety requirements

(2) Explosives must:

• Be accounted for at all times

• Be kept in a locked magazine when not in use

• Not be easily accessed by unauthorized persons

(3) Inventory and use records must be kept up to date for all explosives.

(4) Any person responsible for explosives who discovers a theft or loss of explosives must report the incident to local law enforcement within 24 hours.

(5) Law enforcement agencies must report a theft or loss of explosives to the department immediately.

(6) Other people who know of attempted or actual unauthorized magazine entry must report this information to local law enforcement.

WAC 296-52-69055 Inspection.

(1) Weekly inspection.

(a) The person or company responsible for the contents of the magazine must inspect the magazine at least every 7 days to determine whether there has been an unauthorized:

• Attempted entry into the magazine

or

• Removal of explosives from the magazine

(b) The person doing the inspection must be familiar with the magazine and its contents.

 Note: This inspection doesn't need to be an inventory.

(2) Inspection documentation.

(a) The person doing the inspection must sign one of the following documents after completing the inspection:

• A weekly inspection log

• An inventory sheet

or

• Other record

(b) Weekly inspection records must be kept for at least one year.

WAC 296-52-69060 Precautions for areas surrounding magazine.

(1) Firearms. Only qualified guards and qualified law enforcement officers are allowed to carry firearms inside or within 50 feet of a magazine.

(2) Area maintenance. The area surrounding magazines must:

• Be kept clear of rubbish, brush, dry grass, or trees, except live trees more than 10 feet tall, for a minimum of 25 feet in all directions

• Be free of volatile materials for a minimum of 50 feet from outdoor magazine

• Have the ground around storage facilities slope away for drainage, living foliage doesn't need to be removed.

(3) Fire sources. Smoking, matches, open flames, and spark producing devices aren't permitted:

• In any magazine

• Within 50 feet of an outdoor magazine

or

• In any room containing an indoor magazine

(4) Warning sign.

(a) Access routes. All normal access routes to explosive material storage facilities, except Class 3 (1.4) magazines, must be posted with warning signs that read:

danger

never fight explosive fires

explosives are stored on this site

call

(b) Sign specifications and placement. Signs must:

(i) Be contrasting in color

(ii) Have the pin stroke of the letters a minimum of 3 inches (75 mm) high and one-half inch (12.5 mm) wide

(iii) Be placed so a bullet passing through the sign will not strike a magazine

(iv) Not be attached to magazines

(c) Transportation placards. Placards required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (49 CFR) for transporting blasting agents must be displayed on all Class 5 magazines where blasting agents are stored.

WAC 296-52-69065 Deteriorated explosives.

• Explosives must be immediately destroyed, according to the manufacturer's recommendations, whenever they are suspected of deteriorating to the point they are:

• Unstable

• Dangerous

• Leaking nitroglycerine

• Only a licensed blaster may destroy explosives.

WAC 296-52-69070 Explosives recovered from misfires.

Storage. Explosives recovered from misfires must be placed in a separate licensed magazine until they can be disposed of according to the manufacturer's recommendations

Detonator use. Detonators suspected of being defective can't be reused

Disposal. The blaster in charge must dispose of explosives and detonators according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

WAC 296-52-69080 Blast site storage.

(1) Location. Temporary storage for explosives at blast sites must be located away from:

• Inhabited buildings

• Railways

• Highways

• Other magazines

(2) Separation distance. A distance must be maintained between magazines and the blast site. This distance must be a minimum of:

• 150 feet when the quantity of explosives is greater than 25 pounds

• 50 feet when the quantity of explosives is 25 pounds or less.

WAC 296-52-69085 Multiple magazines.

(1) Separation distance. When 2 or more storage magazines are located on the same property, each magazine must comply with the minimum quantity of explosives and separation distance requirements for:

• Magazines (Table H-21)

• Inhabited buildings, railways, and highways (Table H-20)

(2) Distances that do not meet requirements. If the separation distance between 2 or more magazines is less than the distance required (Table H-21), the magazines must:

• Be considered one magazine

AND

• Comply with the minimum distance requirements for inhabited buildings, railways, and highways (Table H-20)

(3) Distance of grouped magazines to other magazines. Each magazine in a group must comply with minimum magazine distance requirements (Table H-21) in relation to other magazines not considered part of the group.

(4) Quantity of explosives.

(a) Magazine group. The total quantity of explosives stored in a magazine group (2 or more) must:

• Be considered one magazine

• Not exceed the requirements of Table H-21 for one magazine

(b) Detonator magazine. The quantity of explosives contained in a detonator magazine takes precedence over the minimum magazine distance requirements (Table H-21) when determining the separation distance required between a detonator magazine and magazines that contain other types of explosives.

(c) Detonator strength. Strengths of blasting and electric detonators:

• Up to #8 detonators must be rated as one and one-half pounds of explosives per 1,000 detonators

• Detonators greater than #8 must be computed on the combined weight of explosives.

WAC 296-52-69090 Blasting agents and supplies.

(1) Storage.

Note: You may store blasting agents with nonexplosive blasting supplies.

(a) When stored with explosives, blasting agents or ammonium nitrate must be stored as required in magazine construction.

(b) When computing the total quantity of explosives, the mass of blasting agents and one-half the mass of ammonium nitrate must be included when determining the distance requirements.

(c) When stored separately from explosives, blasting agents and ammonium nitrate must be stored as required in this chapter

or

Warehouses which are:

• One story without basements

• Noncombustible or fire resistant

• Constructed so there are no open floor drains and piping where molten materials could flow and be trapped in case of fire

• Weather resistant
• Well ventilated
• Equipped with a strong door which is securely locked except when open for business

(d) Semi-trailer or full trailer vans used for highway or on-site transportation of blasting agents. They must:

• Comply with location requirements for inhabited buildings, passenger railways, and public highways in Table H-20

• Be in accordance with the distance requirements in Table H-22

• Have substantial means for locking and the trailer doors must be kept locked except during the time of placement or removal of blasting agents

(e) Storage warehouses for blasting agents:

• Must comply with the location requirements for inhabited buildings, passenger railways, and public highways in Table H-20

• Must be in accordance with the distance requirements in Table H-22

(f) Combustible materials, flammable liquids, corrosive acids, chlorates, or nitrates can't be stored in warehouses used for blasting agents unless they are separated by a fire resistant wall with a minimum of one-hour fire resistance.

(g) A competent person, at least 21 years old, must supervise every warehouse used for the storage of blasting agents.

(2) Combustible materials. These activities and items are prohibited within 50 feet (15.2 m) of any warehouse used for storing blasting agents:

• Smoking

• Matches

• Open flames

• Spark producing devices

(3) Housekeeping. The interiors of warehouses used for storing blasting agents must be:

• Kept clean, and free from debris and empty containers

• All spilled materials must be promptly cleaned.

WAC 296-52-69095 Ammonium nitrate.

(1) Storage.

(a) Ammonium nitrate storage requirements don't apply to:

• The transportation of ammonium nitrates while under the jurisdiction of and in compliance with U.S. DOT regulations (see 49 CFR, Part 173)

• The storage of ammonium nitrates while under the jurisdiction of and in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard (see 49 CFR, Parts 146-149)

• The storage of ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate mixtures, which are more sensitive than allowed by the bulletin

• “Definition and test procedures for ammonium nitrate fertilizers” from the Fertilizer Institute 501 2nd St. NE, Washington, DC 20006.

• This definition limits the contents of organic materials, metals, sulfur, etc., in products that may be classified ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

• The production of ammonium nitrate or the storage of ammonium nitrate on the premises of the producing plant, if no hazards are created to the employees or public

• The standards for ammonium nitrate (nitrous oxide grade) that are found in the:

  • “Specifications, properties and recommendations for packaging, transportation, storage and use of ammonium nitrate,” from the Compressed Gas Association, Inc., 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1004, Arlington, VA 22202-4100.

(b) Ammonium nitrate storage requirements apply to:

Anyone, in addition to the owner or lessee of any building, premises, or structure having or storing ammonium nitrate in quantities of 1,000 pounds (425 kg) or more

Ammonium nitrate in the form of crystals, flakes, grains, or prills including fertilizer grade, dynamite grade, nitrous oxide grade, technical grade, and other mixtures containing 60 percent or more ammonium nitrate by weight

Note: The approval of large quantity storage is based on the fire and explosion hazards, including exposure to toxic vapors from burning or decomposing ammonium nitrate.

(c) Storage buildings housing ammonium nitrate must:

• Have adequate ventilation or be self-ventilating in the event of a fire

• Have fire resistant walls when the exposed side of a storage building is within 50 feet (15.2 m) of a combustible building, forest, piles of combustible materials, and similar exposure hazards. Other suitable means of exposure protection such as a freestanding wall may be used instead of a fire resistant wall

• Have roof coverings that are Division 1.4 or better as defined in Roof Coverings, NFPA 203M-1970

• Have flooring of noncombustible material or be protected against saturation by ammonium nitrate. In case of fire, the floor must not have open drains, traps, tunnels, pits, or pockets into which molten ammonium nitrate could flow and be confined

• Be dry and free from water seepage through the roof, walls, and floors

• Not have basements, unless the basements are open on at least one side

• Not be over one story in height

Note: The continued use of an existing storage building or structure may be approved in cases where continued use will not constitute a hazard to life or adjoining property.

Bags, drums, and other containers of ammonium nitrate must:

(d) Comply with specifications and standards required for use in interstate commerce (see 49 CFR, Chapter 1). Containers used on the premises in the actual manufacturing or processing do not need to comply.

• Not be used for storage when the temperature of the ammonium nitrate exceeds 130°F (54.4°C)

• Not be stored within 30 inches (76 cm) of the storage building walls and partitions

• Not be stacked higher than 20 feet (6.1 m) in height, 20 feet (6.1 m) in width, and 50 feet (15.2 m) in length. When buildings are constructed of noncombustible materials or protected by automatic sprinklers, there are no stacking height restrictions

• Never be stacked closer than 36 inches (.09 m) below the roof or overhead supporting and spreader beams

• Be separated by aisles a minimum of 3 feet wide. There must be one main aisle in the storage area a minimum of 4 feet (1.2 m) wide

(e) Bulk ammonium nitrate must be stored:

• In warehouses with adequate ventilation or be capable of adequate ventilation in case of fire

• In structures that are not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) high, unless:

• They are constructed of noncombustible material

or

• Have adequate facilities for fighting a roof fire

• In clean bins that are free of materials that could cause contamination

• In bins or piles that are clearly identified by signs reading “ammonium nitrate” in letters a minimum of 2 inches (5 cm) high

• In bins or piles sized and arranged so all material is moved periodically to minimize the possibility of caking

• Adequately separated from easily combustible fuels. Bins can't be made of galvanized iron, copper, lead, and zinc because of the:

• Corrosive and reactive properties of ammonium nitrate

and

• To avoid contamination

• In tightly constructed wooden and aluminum bins that are protected against saturation from ammonium nitrate

• In tightly constructed partitions that divide the ammonium nitrate from other products to avoid contamination

• Where the temperature of the product doesn't exceed 130°F (54.4°C)

• No higher than 36 inches (0.9 m) below the roof or overhead supporting and spreader beams if stacked in piles. Stack items (height and depth), should be determined by the pressure setting tendency of the product

(f) Bulk ammonium nitrate when caked, cannot be broken up or loosed by the use of dynamite, other explosives or blasting agents.

(g) Bulk ammonium nitrate cannot be stored with:

• LP Gas on the premises except when such storage complies with WAC 296-24-475, Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gases

• Sulfur and finely divided metals in the same building except when such storage complies with this chapter and NFPA standard 495, Explosives Materials Code

• Explosives and blasting agents in the same building except on the premises of manufacturers, distributors, and user of explosives or blasting agents

• When explosives or blasting agents are stored in separate buildings, other than on the approval of manufacturers, distributors, and user, they must be separated from the ammonium nitrate by the distances and/or barricades specified in Table H-22 or a minimum of 50 feet (15.2 m)

• With flammable liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene, solvents, and light fuel oils on the premises except when such storage conforms to WAC 296-24-330, Flammable and combustible liquids, and when walls, sills or curbs are provided in accordance with WAC 296-52-69095, Ammonium nitrate

(2) Contaminants must be stored in a separate building from ammonium nitrate

or

Be separated by an approved firewall of not less that one-hour fire resistance rating which should extend to the underside of the roof. Alternatively, the contaminants may be separated by a minimum of 30 feet (9.1 m), instead of using walls. These contaminants are:

• Organic chemicals

• Acids

• Other corrosive materials

• Materials that may require blasting during processing or handling

• Compressed flammable gases

• Flammable and combustible materials

• Other substances including:

(3) Housekeeping requirements must have:

• Electrical installations, which meet the requirements of chapter 296-24 WAC, Part L, Electrical, and WAC 296-800-280, Basic electrical rules, for ordinary locations and be designed to minimize damage from corrosion

• Adequate lightning protections in areas where lightning storms are prevalent (see NFPA 78-1992, Lightning Protection Code)

• Procedures to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the ammonium nitrate storage area

(4) Fire protection must provide:

• Water supplies and fire hydrants

• Suitable fire control devices, such as a small hose or portable fire extinguishers, throughout the warehouse and in the loading/unloading areas. These devices must comply with the requirements of WAC 296-800-300, Portable fire extinguishers, and WAC 296-24-602, Standpipe and hose systems

• Approved sprinkler systems installed according to WAC 296-24-607, Automatic sprinkler systems

• 2,500 tons (two thousand two hundred seventy metric) or less of bagged ammonium nitrate may be stored in a structure that does not have an automatic sprinkler system.

QUANTITY AND DISTANCE TABLES

WAC 296-52-69105 Table H-20--Table of distances for storage of explosives.

Table H-20

Table of Distances for Storage of Explosives

Note 1: Terms used in Table H-20 are found in WAC 296-52-60130, Definitions.

Note 2: Source of table data is BATF (6/90) 55.218.

WAC 296-52-69110 Table H-21--Quantity and distance table for separation between magazines.

Note: This table applies to the permanent storage of commercial explosives only. It doesn't apply to:

• Explosives handling

• Explosives transportation

• Temporary storage of explosives

• Bombs, projectiles, or other heavily encased explosives

• Magazines containing detonators and electric detonators must be separated from:

(1) Other magazines with similar contents.

or

(2) Magazines containing explosives.

Note: Definitions of barricade including artificial and natural barricade can be found in WAC 296-52-60130, Definitions.

Table H-21