Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles powder stock.

If iirc NFPA does rate fire departments, the rating having an effect on commercial properties fire insurance. my lgs has at least 100 pounds of assorted powder, plus primers etc. on open shelves and an apartment upstairs.

This^^^

The NFPA code is simply a "best practices" guide. Unless a legislative body writes it into law their recommendations mean nothing.

Here's part of the NFPA code:
"10-3.8 Not more than 20 lb (9.1 kg) of smokeless propellants, in containers of 1-lb (0.45-kg) maximum capacity, shall be displayed in commercial establishments."

I can't think of any decent local gun shop that in normal (non-Obama) times would only have 20 lbs. of powder displayed, so clearly the NFPA code is not widely followed.

Again, I never stated it was the law, although I imagine it is in fact written into the fire codes in many municipalities. Just trying to provide a reference of any sort...

David

And that was my point above. Show me a municipality that has written it into it's fire code with a proscribed criminal penalty for non-compliance.

http://home.earthlink.net/~david.schultz/regulation/arlington.html

Chapter 33 Explosives and Fireworks
Section 3301

General

3301.1 Scope The provisions of this chapter shall govern the possession, manufacture, storage, handling, sale, and use if explosives, explosive materials, fireworks and small arms ammunition.

Exceptions:

The Armed Forces of the United States, Coast Guard or National Guard.
Explosives in forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia.
The possession, storage and use of small arms ammunition when packaged in accordance with DOTs packaging requirements.
The possession, storage and use of not more than 1 pound (0.454 kg) of commercially manufactured sporting black powder, 20 pounds (9kg) of smokeless powder and 10,000 small arms primers for hand loading of small arms ammunition for personal consumption.
The use of explosive materials by federal,state and local regulatory, law enforcement and fire agencies acting in their official capacities.
Special industrial explosive devices which in the aggregate contain less than 50 pounds (23 kg) of explosive materials.
The possession, storage and use of blank industrial power load cartridges when packaged in accordance with DOTs packaging requirements.
Transportation in accordance with DOT 49 CFR Parts 100-178.
Items preempted by federal regulations.



....
The first thing you might notice is that the NFPA codes are referenced frequently and even included as additional requirements. You might think that there would be a copy of the NFPA codes at the public library as well. You would be wrong....







Fire codes are enforceable. Do I think anyone is out kicking in doors (or even writing tickets)? No

Likely to EVER have a problem even if you have a fire in your home and had 100's of pounds of smokeless pwder(from an enforcement standpoint)? No

Is it possible for some government employee (or concerned citizen) with a hard on to cause you grief over an infraction of the fire code if you caught their attetion? Yes

David

Chapter 33 o the Houston Fire code seems to say the opposite - seems as if it is saying that ALL handloading components are exempt, regardless of quantities:


http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/business/HoustonAdmendtoIFC.pdf

I suspect that a google search of "your city" fire code chapter 33 would answer the question for a lot of folks....

David

Up here it is Fed regulated, but , they are pretty generous, up to 75kg of smokeless in a detached dwelling. Ammo is measured by the powder charge. Apartment dwellers have to buy 5 & 8lb canisters, then they are good to 75kg. single pounds only allow them up to 20kg. in non-detached dwellings. I don't remember the black powder regs, but, they upped it also.
They just changed it last year.