SECTION 265:20-1-8. Proper storage

(a)   Alternate storage facilities. No person shall store any explosive material not in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter. The Fire Marshal may authorize alternate storage facilities for the storage of explosive material when he is shown that such alternate facilities are or will be constructed in a manner substantially equivalent to the standards of construction contained in this Section.

(b)   Exception to storage requirement. All persons must keep explosive material, (including caps) in a magazine unless such materials are in the process of being manufactured, handled, transported or used.

(c)   Record keeping. A daily summary of explosive materials moving in and out of the magazine must be maintained and recorded.

(d)   Inspection of storage facilities. Any person storing explosive material shall open and inspect his storage facilities at intervals not greater than 3 days to determine whether the explosives therein are intact and to determine whether there has been unauthorized entry or attempted entry into storage facilities or the unauthorized removal of facilities or their contents.

(e)   Location of storage facilities.

(1)   Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, storage facilities in which any explosive materials are stored shall be located at minimum distances from inhabited buildings, passenger railways, public highways, and from other storage facilities in which explosive materials are stored as specified in the American Table of Distances (see Appendix A of this Chapter), PROVIDED, that this table shall not apply to any indoor storage facility. When a storage facility is not barricaded, the distances shown in the American Table of Distances shall be doubled. For purposes of this paragraph, a storage facility shall be deemed barricaded when it is effectually screened from inhabited buildings, passenger railways, public highways, and other storage facilities in which explosive materials are stored either by a natural or artificial barricade of such height that a straight line from the top of any sidewall of the storage facility to the eave line of such other inhabited building or storage facility, or to a point 12 feet above the center of a passenger railway or public highway, will pass through such intervening barricade.

(2)   If any two or more storage facilities are separated from each other by less than the distances specified in Tables I and II (see Appendix A of this Chapter), then such two or more storage facilities as a group, shall be considered as one storage facility, and the total quantity of explosive materials stored in such group shall be treated as if stored in a single facility and shall comply with the minimum of distances specified in Tables I and II (see Appendix A of this Chapter) from other storage facilities, inhabited buildings, passenger railways, and public highways.

(3)   Storage facilities in which low explosives are stored shall be located at minimum distances from inhabited buildings, passenger railways, public highways, and from other storage facilities in which explosive materials are stored as specified in the Table of Distances for Storage of Low Explosives - Table III, Appendix A of this Chapter, PROVIDED, that this table shall not apply to any indoor storage facility. The distances shown therein shall not be reduced by the presence of barricades.

(4)   Ammonium nitrate and storage facilities in which blasting agents are stored shall be located at minimum distances from storage facilities containing high explosives or blasting agents as specified in the Table of Recommended Separation Distances of Ammonium Nitrate and Blasting Agents from Explosives or Blasting Agents (see Table II of Appendix A of this Chapter).

(f)   Construction of type 1 storage facilities. A type 1 storage facility shall be a permanent structure: a building, an igloo or Army-type structure, a tunnel, or a dugout. It shall be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, weather-resistant and well ventilated.

(1)   Buildings. All building type storage facilities shall be constructed of masonry, wood, metal, or a combination of these materials and shall have no openings except for entrances and ventilation. Ground around such storage facility shall slope away for drainage.

(2)   Masonry wall construction. Masonry wall construction shall consist of brick, concrete, tile, cement block, or cinder block and shall be not less than 6 inches in thickness. Hollow masonry units used in construction shall have all hollow spaces filled with well-tamped coarse dry sand or weak concrete (a mixture of one part cement and eight parts of sand with enough water to dampen the mixture while tamping in place). Interior walls shall be covered with a nonsparking material.

(3)   Fabricated metal wall construction. Metal wall construction shall consist of sectional sheets of steel or aluminum not less than number 14 gauge, securely fastened to a metal framework. Such metal wall construction shall be either lined inside with brick, solid cement blocks, hardwood not less than 4 inches in thickness, or shall have at least a 6 inch sand fill between interior and exterior walls. Interior walls shall be constructed of or covered with a nonsparking material.

(4)   Wood frame wall construction. The exterior of outer wood walls shall be covered with iron or aluminum not less than number 26 gauge. An inner wall of nonsparking material shall be constructed so as to provide a space of not less than 6 inches between the outer and inner walls, which space shall be filled with coarse dry sand or weak concrete.

(5)   Floors. Floors shall be constructed of nonsparking material and shall be strong enough to bear the weight of the maximum quantity to be stored.

(6)   Foundations. Foundations shall be constructed of brick, concrete, cement block, stone, or wood posts. If piers or posts are used, in lieu of a continuous foundation, the space under the building shall be enclosed with metal.

(7)   Roof. Except for buildings with fabricated metal roofs, the outer roof shall be covered with no less than number 26 gauge iron or aluminum fastened to a 7/8 inch sheathing.

(8)   Bullet-resistant ceilings or roof. Where it is possible for a bullet to be fired directly through the roof and into the storage facility at such an angle that the bullet would strike a point below the top of inner walls, storage facilities shall be protected by one of the following methods:

(A)   Sand tray. A sand tray shall be located at the tops of inner walls covering the entire ceiling area, except that necessary for ventilation, lined with a layer of building paper, and filled with not less than 4 inches of coarse dry sand.

(B)   Fabricated metal roof. A fabricated metal roof shall be constructed of 3/16 inch plate steel lined with 4 inches of hardwood. (For each additional 1/16 inch of plate steel, the hardwood lining may be decreased 1 inch.)

(9)   Doors. All doors shall be constructed of 1/4 inch plate steel and lined with 2 inches of hardwood. Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the doors by welding, riveting or bolting (nuts on inside of door). They shall be installed in such a manner that the hinges and hasps cannot be removed when the doors are closed and locked.

(10)   Locks. Each door shall be equipped with two mortise locks; or with two padlocks fastened in separate hasps and staples; or with a combination of mortise lock and a padlock; or with a mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or a three-point lock. Locks shall be five-tumbler proof. All padlocks shall be protected with 1/4 inch steel caps constructed so as to prevent sawing or lever action on the locks or hasps.

(11)   Ventilation. Except at doorways, a 2-inch air space shall be left around ceilings and the perimeter of floors. Foundation ventilators shall be not less than 4 by 6 inches. Vents in the foundation, roof, or gables shall be screened and offset.

(12)   Exposed metal. No sparking metal construction shall be exposed below the top of walls in the interior of storage facilities, and all nails therein shall be blind-nailed or countersunk.

(13)   Igloos, army-type structures, tunnels, and dugouts. Igloo, Army-type, tunnel, and dugout storage facilities shall be constructed of reinforced concrete, masonry, metal or a combination of these materials. They shall have an earthbound covering of not less than 24 inches on the top, sides and rear. Interior walls and floors shall be covered with a nonsparking material. Storage facilities of this type shall also be constructed in conformity with the requirements of paragraph (5) and paragraphs (9) through (12) of this Subsection.

(g)   Construction of type 2 storage facilities. A type 2 storage facility shall be a box, a trailer, a semitrailer or other mobile facility. It shall be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, weather resistant, theft-resistant, and well ventilated. Hinges and hasps shall be attached to the covers or doors in the manner prescribed in (f) (9) of this Section, and the locking system shall be that prescribed in (f) (10) of this Section.

(1)   Outdoor storage facilities. Outdoor storage facilities shall be at least 1 cubic yard in size and supported in such a manner so as to prevent direct contact with the ground. The sides, bottoms, tops, and covers or doors shall be constructed of 1/4 inch steel and shall be lined with 2 inches of hardwood. Edges of metal covers shall overlap sides at least 1 inch. The ground around such storage facilities shall slope away for drainage. When unattended, vehicular storage facilities shall have wheels removed or shall be otherwise effectively immobilized by kingpin locking devices or other methods approved by the Director.

(2)   Indoor storage facilities. No indoor facility for the storage of high explosives shall be located in a residence or dwelling. When located in a warehouse, wholesale or retail establishment, such storage facilities shall be provided with substantial wheels or casters to facilitate removal therefrom. No more than two indoor storage facilities shall be kept in any one building. Two storage facilities may be kept in the same building only when one is used for the storage of blasting caps, squibs or similar items and the other facility shall be located on the floor nearest the ground level and within 10 feet of an outside exit. Indoor storage facilities within one building shall be separated by a distance of not less than 10 feet. no indoor storage facility shall contain a quantity of high explosives in excess of 50 pounds or more than 5,000 blasting caps. Indoor facilities shall be of wood or metal construction as prescribed in (1) or (2) of this Subsection

(3)   Wood construction. Wood indoor storage facilities shall have sides, bottoms, and covers or doors constructed of 2 inch hardwood and shall be well braced at corners. They shall be covered with sheet metal of not less than number 20 gauge. Nails exposed to the interior of such facilities shall be countersunk.

(4)   Metal construction. Metal indoor storage facilities shall have sides, bottoms, covers or doors constructed of number 12 gauge metal and shall be lined inside with a nonsparking material. Edges of metal covers shall overlap sides at least 1 inch.

(5)   Cap boxes. Storage facilities for blasting caps in quantities of 100 or less shall have sides, therefrom and covers constructed of number 12 gauge metal and lined with a nonsparking material. Hinges and hasps shall be attached thereto by welding. A single five-tumbler proof lock shall be sufficient for locking purposes.

(h)   Construction of type 3 storage facilities. A type 3 storage facility shall be a "day-box" or other portable facility. It shall be constructed in the same manner prescribed for type 2 outdoor storage facilities in (g) of this Section, except that it may be less than 1 cubic yard in size, and shall be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, theft-resistant, weather-resistant and well ventilated. Hinges, hasps, locks and lock protection shall be in conformity with the requirements of (f) and (k) of this Section. The ground around such storage facilities shall slope away for drainage. No explosive materials shall be left in such facilities if unattended. The explosive materials contained therein must be removed to types 1 and 2 storage facilities for unattended storage.

(i)   Construction of type 4 storage facilities. A type 4 storage facility may be a building, an igloo or Army-type structure, a tunnel, a dugout, a box, a trailer, or a semitrailer or other mobile facility and shall be fire-resistant, weather-resistant, and theft-resistant. They shall be constructed of masonry, metal-covered wood, fabricated metal, or a combination of these materials. The walls and floors of such storage facilities shall be lined with a nonsparking material. The doors or covers shall be metal or solid wood covered with metal. The foundations, locks, lock protection, hinges, hasps, and interior shall be in conformity with the requirements of (f)(6), (9), (10) and (12) of this Section.

(1)   Outdoor storage facilities. The ground around such storage facilities shall slope away for drainage. When unattended, vehicular storage facilities shall have wheels removed or shall be otherwise effectively immobilized by kingpin locking devices or other methods approved by the State Fire Marshal or Director, A.T.F.U., Washington, D.C.

(2)   Indoor storage facilities. No indoor facility for the storage of low explosives shall be located in a residence or dwelling. When located in a warehouse, wholesale or retail establishment, such storage facilities shall be provided with substantial wheels or casters to facilitate removal therefrom. No more than one indoor storage facility shall be kept in any one building. It shall be located on the floor nearest ground level and within 10 feet of an outside exit. No indoor storage facility shall contain a quantity of low explosives in excess of 50 pounds.

(j)   Construction of type 5 storage facilities. A type 5 storage facility may be a building, an igloo or Army-type structure, a tunnel, a dugout, a bin, a box, a trailer or a semitrailer or other mobile facility and shall be theft-resistant. The doors or covers thereof shall be solid wood or metal. The hinges, hasps, locks and lock protection shall be in conformity with the requirements of (f) (9) and (10) of this Section.

(1)   Outdoor storage facilities. The ground around such storage facilities shall slope away for drainage. When unattended, vehicular storage facilities shall have wheels removed or shall be otherwise effectively immobilized by kingpin locking devices or other methods approved by the State Fire Marshal or Director, A.T.F.U., Washington, D.C.

(2)   Indoor storage facilities. No indoor storage facility for the storage of blasting agents shall be located in a residence or dwelling.

(k)   Smoking and open flames. Smoking, matches, open flames and spark-producing devices shall not be permitted in, or within 50 feet of, any outdoor storage facility.

(l)   Quantity and storage restrictions. Explosive materials in excess of 300,000 pounds and blasting caps in excess of 20 million shall not be stored in one storage facility. Blasting caps shall not be stored with other explosive materials in the same storage facility.

(m)   Storage within types 1, 2, 3 and 4 facilities.

(1)   Explosive materials within a storage facility shall not be placed directly against interior walls. Any devices constructed or placed within a storage facility shall not interfere with ventilation.

(2)   Containers of explosive materials shall be stored by being laid flat with top sides up. Corresponding classes, grades and brands shall be stored together within a storage facility in such a manner that class, grade, and brand marks are easily visible upon inspection. Stocks of explosive materials shall be stored so as to be easily counted and checked.

(3)   Except with respect to fiberboard containers, containers of explosive materials shall not be unpacked or repacked inside a storage facility or within 50 feet thereof, and shall not be unpacked or repacked in close proximity to other explosive materials. Containers of explosive materials shall be securely closed while being stored.

(4)   Tools used for opening or closing containers of explosive materials shall be of nonsparking materials, except that metal slitters may be used for opening fiberboard containers. A wood wedge and a fiber, rubber or wooden mallet shall be used for opening or closing wood containers of explosive materials. Metal tools other than nonsparking transfer conveyors shall not be stored in any storage facility containing high explosives.

(n)   Housekeeping. Storage facilities shall be kept clean, dry and free of grit, paper, empty packages and containers, and rubbish. Floors shall be regularly swept. Brooms and other utensils used in the cleaning and maintenance of storage facilities shall have no spark-producing metal parts. Floors stained by leakage from explosive materials shall be cleaned according to instructions of the manufacturer. When any explosive material has deteriorated to the extent that it is in a dangerous condition, or if a liquid leaks therefrom, it shall be destroyed in accordance with the instructions of its manufacturer. The area surrounding storage facilities shall be kept clear of rubbish, brush, dry grass, or trees for not less than 25 feet in all directions. Any other combustible materials shall be kept a distance of not less than 50 feet from outdoor storage facilities.

(o)   Lighting. No lighting shall be placed or used in a storage facility of type 1, 2, 3, or 4 except battery-activated safety lights or battery-activated safety lanterns.

(p)   American table of distances for storage of explosive materials. See Appendix A, Tables I, II, and III, of this Chapter.