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Section 3304 Explosives Storage and Handling
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All explosives, including black powder, propellant-actuated cartridges, small arms ammunition and primers, and smokeless propellants, shall be stored, handled, used and sold in accordance with this chapter and NFPA 495. Unclassified detonable organic peroxide, detonable pyrophoric materials, detonable unstable (reactive) materials and detonable water-reactive materials shall additionally comply with the requirements of other chapters of this code applicable to such materials.
The quantity of explosives stored at any location and the distance from such storage to protected exposures shall be in accordance with the quantity-distance tables in FC3304.5. The net explosive weight of the explosives shall be determined in accordance with FC 3304.1.1.1 through 3304.1.1.6.
For Division 1.1, 1.2 or 1.5 explosives, the total net explosive weight of all such explosives, or the TNT equivalent, shall be used for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(2).
- For Division 1.3 propellants, the total weight of the propellants alone shall be the net explosive weight for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(3).
- The sum of the net weights of metal powders and pyrotechnic materials shall be the net explosive weight for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(3).
- When Division 1.1 and 1.2 explosives are located in the same site, determine the distance for the total quantity considered first as if the total quantity were in Division 1.1 and then as if the total quantity were in Division 1.2. The required distance is the greater of the two. When the Division 1.1 requirements are controlling and the TNT equivalent of the Division 1.2 explosive is known, the TNT equivalent weight of the Division 1.2 explosives shall be added to the total explosive weight of Division 1.1 explosives to determine the net explosive weight for the Division 1.1 distance determination, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(2).
- When Division 1.1 and 1.3 explosives are located in the same site, determine the distances for the total quantity considered first as if the total quantity were in Division 1.1 and then as if the total quantity were in Division 1.3. The required distance is the greater of the two. When the Division 1.1 requirements are controlling and the TNT equivalent of the Division 1.3 explosives is known, the TNT equivalent weight of the Division 1.3 explosives shall be added to the total explosive weight of Division 1.1 explosives to determine the net explosive weight for the Division 1.1 distance determination, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(2) or 3304.5.2(3), as appropriate.
- When Division 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 explosives are located in the same site, determine the distances for the total quantity considered first as if the total quantity were in Division 1.1, next as if the total quantity were in Division 1.2 and finally as if the total quantity were in Division 1.3. The required distance is the greatest of the three. When the Division 1.1 requirements are controlling and the TNT equivalent of the Division 1.2 and Division 1.3 explosives are known, the TNT equivalent weight of the Division 1.2 and Division 1.3 explosives shall be added to the total explosive weight of Division 1.1 explosives to determine the net explosive weight for the Division 1.1 distance determination, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(2).
- For any composite pyrotechnic material and Division 1.1 or Division 1.3 explosives, the sum of the net weights of the pyrotechnic material and the explosives shall be used for the distance determination, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Tables 3304.5.2(2) and 3304.5.2(3).
For Division 1.4 explosives, the total weight of the explosive alone is the net weight for the distance determination, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements in accordance with FC Table 3304.5.2(4).
Detonating cord of 50 grains per foot shall be calculated as equivalent to 8 pounds (4 kg) of high explosives per 1,000 feet (304 800 mm), for purposes of quantity-distance requirements. Heavier or lighter core loads shall be rated proportionally.
All types of detonators in strengths through No. 8 cap shall be rated at 11/2 pounds (0.68 kg) of explosives per 1,000 caps, for purposes of quantity-distance requirements. Detonators in strengths higher than No. 8 cap shall be rated as prescribed by the manufacturer.
High explosives may only be stored for use in blasting operations conducted in New York City, and only in a magazine or other approved storage facility at a vendor's facility or job site. High explosives to be used in New York City shall first be delivered to a vendor's facility located within New York City. Thereafter, high explosives may be transported from such vendor's facility to approved storage facilities at job sites located in New York City. No explosives shall be delivered to any job site without the prior authorization of the Department. The commissioner shall promulgate rules governing the delivery and removal of explosives to and from the job site.
The storage of explosives in magazines shall comply with the requirements of FC 3304.3.1 through 3304.3.4.1 and FC Table 3304.3. Explosives shall be stored in magazines constructed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section, NFPA 495, NFPA 1124 and, except for portable or mobile magazines not exceeding 120 square feet (11 m2) in area, the construction codes including the Building Code.
FC TABLE 3304.3 STORAGE AMOUNTS AND MAGAZINE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPLOSIVES MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA
FC TABLE 3304.3 STORAGE AMOUNTS AND MAGAZINE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPLOSIVES MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA
| NEW UN/ DOTn DIVISION | OLD DOTn CLASS | ATF/OSHA CLASS | INDOORa (pounds) | OUTDOORS (pounds) | MAGAZINE TYPE ALLOWED | |||||||
| Unprotected | Cabinet | Sprinklers | Sprinklers & cabinet | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||
| 1.1 | A | High | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | X | X | — | — |
| 1.2 | A | High | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | X | X | — | — |
| 1.2 | B | Low | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | X | X | X | — |
| 1.3b | B | Low | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 0 | X | X | X | X | — |
| 1.4 | B | Low | 0 | 0 | 50 | 100 | 0 | X | X | X | X | — |
| 1.5 | C | Low | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | X | X | X | — |
| 1.5 | Blasting Agent | Blasting Agent | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | X | X | X | X |
| 1.6 | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | X | X | X | X | X |
| For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 pound per gallon = 0.12 kg per liter, 1 ounce = 28.35 g. |
| a. A factor of 10 pounds per gallon shall be used for converting pounds (solid) to gallons (liquid) in accordance with FC2703.1.2. |
| b. Black powder shall be stored in a Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 magazine as provided for in FC3304.3.1. |
Explosives classified as Division 1.1 or 1.2 shall be stored in Type 1, 2 or 3 magazines.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- Black powder shall be stored in a Type 1, 2, 3 or 4 magazine.
- Cap-sensitive explosives that are demonstrated not to be bullet sensitive shall be stored in a Type 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 magazine.
Magazines for high explosives shall be classified based upon the maximum quantity of high explosives stored as follows:
- First class magazines. High explosives magazines containing not more than 1,000 pounds (454 kg) of explosives.
- Second class magazines. High explosives magazines containing not more than 500 pounds (227 kg) of explosives.
- Third class magazines. High explosives magazines containing not more than 250 pounds (113.5 kg) of explosives.
No more than 20,000 detonators may be stored in a single magazine. Only first class magazines may be used for storage of 1,000 detonators or more.
The owner or operator of a magazine shall restrict access to the magazine and only allow entry by the blaster and magazine keeper and other blasting contractor personnel or vendor personnel whose responsibilities in connection with the storage, handling, use or transportation of explosives require that they enter the magazine. Access to the keys to the magazine shall be restricted to the blaster, the powder carrier and the magazine keeper. The department may restrict the personnel authorized to enter the magazine for purposes of ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section. This provision shall not be construed to restrict department access to magazines.
Detonators shall be stored in a separate magazine that does not contain other explosives. Black powder, blasting powder, and smokeless propellant shall be stored in a separate magazine that does not contain detonators or other explosives.
Magazines for storage of explosives shall be maintained and operated in accordance with FC 3304.5.1 through 3304.5.3.3.
It shall be unlawful to maintain or operate a magazine indoors for the storage of Division 1.1 explosives. Indoor magazines may be maintained and operated for the storage of explosives, other than those classified as Division 1.1, in accordance with this section.
Indoor magazines for storage of explosives shall be maintained and operated only in Group F, H, M or S occupancies, when approved. It shall be unlawful to maintain or operate an indoor magazine in any building containing a Group R occupancy.
Indoor magazines shall be designed and installed in compliance with the following requirements:
- The magazine shall be fire resistant and theft resistant.
- The exterior of the magazine shall be painted red.
- The base of the magazine shall be fitted with wheels, casters or rollers to facilitate removal from the building in an emergency.
- The lid or door of the magazine shall be marked with conspicuous white lettering not less than 3 inches (76 mm) high and minimum 1/2-inch (12.7-mm) stroke, reading "EXPLOSIVES — KEEP FIRE AWAY — NO SMOKING."
- The least horizontal dimension of the magazine shall not exceed the clear width of the entrance door.
Indoor magazines shall be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of a means of egress and only on floors at or having ramp access to the outdoors at grade level.
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