deerassassin22 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 When I load I keep my bench as cleans as possible and all my powder primers locked in my safe. I only fill the powder measure then put the rest up. I also keep fire extinguisher in room and smoke detector my room is small so my backup exit is my window Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 When I load I keep my bench as cleans as possible and all my powder primers locked in my safe. I only fill the powder measure then put the rest up. I also keep fire extinguisher in room and smoke detector my room is small so my backup exit is my window Powder and primers inside of a safe = bomb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerassassin22 Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Well Powders/Primers/Bullets= Bomb no matter what. I figure at least in my Fire Rated Safe it keeps them safer then laying powder all around my house for a thief to get and moisture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Well Powders/Primers/Bullets= Bomb no matter what. I figure at least in my Fire Rated Safe it keeps them safer then laying powder all around my house for a thief to get and moisture. Not true. If not contained by a huge metal box, they blow up and go nowhere. Watch that video that Chris Keen posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerassassin22 Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Ah you win sir looks like it's going in my loading cabinets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bani Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 get the MSDS for the powders you have. for instance, http://www.accuratepowder.com/products/msds/ the MSDS has explicit instructions for dealing with smokeless powder fires. specifically take note: EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Apply large volumes of water as quickly as possible from automatic sprinklers or with fire hose from a distant,protected location. FIGHT EXPLOSIVE FIRES ONLY FROM WELL PROTECTED,DISTANT (FROM POINT OF FIRE) LOCATION. Since product is self-oxidizing, smothering agents such as dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam are ineffective. that last sentence is extremely important! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blujax01 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) From SAMMI: Storage enclosures for smokeless powder should be constructed in a similar manner: Of fire-resistant and heat-insulating materials to protect contents from external heat. Sufficiently loose to vent the gaseous products of combustion satisfactorily which would result if the quantity of smokeless powder within the enclosure accidentally ignited. Storage cabinets should be constructed of insulating materials and with a weak wall, seams or joints to provide an easy means of self- ventilation. If you've ever seen industrial paint cabinets, they're not much more than an insulated metal box with a vent. They do lock so the door has a latch. It's no stretch to see that an old refrigerator with a magnetic strip door (NOT the old latch type) is perfect for storing powder. Unplug it first! Obviously, since by law a refrigerator door must be able to be opened by a toddler, it will not allow pressure to build up in a fire. Edited April 9, 2014 by blujax01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warpdrv Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 (edited) Thank you for this thread, New reloading bench for me, def need to add a couple more extinguishers in the loading room as well. THAT IS THE SOUND OF INEVITABILITY ! Edited April 20, 2014 by Warpdrv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustybayonet Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I have dealt with a lot of explosives in my military career. The prefered container no-spark no-static interior (wood with brass hardware). Outside strong to control blast, the top should be loose or weak enough to blow off from blast. This way you will not stop the problem but control it to the point of keeping damage to a minimum. And always store detonator and charge far from each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterthefish Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Lookup NFPA recommendations for storage of smokeless powder. It's likely your local AHJ has adopted these for storage of powder. 1" nominal thickness wooden box for any decent amount of powder. For the powder to catch fire the wood will have burned through creating a vent. If you want some extra fire protection put a layer of fire board on the outside. If being in violation of fire code, electrical code, using non-UL appliances was enough for an insurer to deny a claim almost no house fires would be covered. If you didn't set it on fire on purpose it's covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choppe Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 There's some great information in this thread. Every reloader should keep this in mind and have a plan for the worst case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valerko Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Make sure your homeowners insurance premiums are paid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChemistShooter Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I have one 8-lb container of powder. I keep it underneath a table and against a back wall, surrounded by 4 gallons of water in plastic bottles and 4 boxes of sodium bicarbonate. The idea is if it burns, it'll immediately release water and carbon dioxide. Since gunpowder contains both oxidizer and reducer, don't know how effective the carbon dioxide would be but the water should be a definite help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyjones Posted April 18, 2016 Share Posted April 18, 2016 I have one 8-lb container of powder. I keep it underneath a table and against a back wall, surrounded by 4 gallons of water in plastic bottles and 4 boxes of sodium bicarbonate. The idea is if it burns, it'll immediately release water and carbon dioxide. Since gunpowder contains both oxidizer and reducer, don't know how effective the carbon dioxide would be but the water should be a definite help. Someone posted the MSDS sheet upthread. Water will be somewhat effective, but carbon dioxide will have no impact on smokeless powder burning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterthefish Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 I have one 8-lb container of powder. I keep it underneath a table and against a back wall, surrounded by 4 gallons of water in plastic bottles and 4 boxes of sodium bicarbonate. The idea is if it burns, it'll immediately release water and carbon dioxide. Since gunpowder contains both oxidizer and reducer, don't know how effective the carbon dioxide would be but the water should be a definite help. Fire Protection is a real field of work, and industry standards for safe storage of most flammable materials, like smokeless powder, have been established. Sodium Bicarbonate is not involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1one Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I'd also recommend not doing any work with an open flame near a workbench that you previously reloaded. I once set off a primer with a blow torch by accident. I had taken all my relaoding stuff off the bench but didn't see the primer. I'm sure there was powder on the bench also. Luckily didnt get hurt. +1 on fire extinguisher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Do you think this fire extinguisher will work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted March 8, 2020 Share Posted March 8, 2020 I like surplus flammable cabinets for powder and primers. They're not real expensive in smaller sizes at bankrupcy sales or auctions, pretty fire-resistant and have pressure vents if worst comes to worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen7942 Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 just found this... great info!! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 Good info here that can also help with planning out your reloading room while building it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricF1 Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 (edited) I built solid wood cabinet following this design for my primers: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-112113-flammables-cabinet/ For powder storage I added some wood to a cabinet from craigslist to meet NFPA 1" nominal wall thickness, plus some insulation board. Both doors are just spring hinged, no latch. Then I painted with an intumescent paint the article above suggested. Edited October 30, 2022 by EricF1 added 'doors' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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