Black Powder Storage

[Mike357]

I'm about to have a run in with my local licensing dept over my BP storage box.

The regs say that "The containers of black powder must be kept in a box constructed of plywood of a
minimum thickness of 18mm – or other material capable of providing an equal level of
fire and physical resistance"

As my box is made from MDF and has been passed by the surrounding forces I may have a problem as Tayside are very picky on this. Can anybody tell me where I might find out about the fire and physical resistance properties of MDF so I am well prepared?

[Sim G]

I'd hazzard a guess that MDF is probably better than plywood as it is much more dense. If they claim it's not suitable then ask why and to show why....

[Chapuis]

Do a simple search for MDF fire resistance on the internet. There are various grades of MDF and some of it has quite a reasonable resistance to fire but once ignited very much like plywood burns rapidly. It's also worth looking at the TRADA (Timber research and development association) website.

[ovenpaa]

My powder storage box is built out of 20mm blockboard with compartments inside and maybe 8mm sheet top and bottom, as important a thing as any is the location of the box (Under the stairs is not a good place) and the thickness top and bottom, better to have the blast go up and down than sideways. Mine is a quite significant piece of work, lockable, painted red, clearly marked with the contents and used to store black powder, reloading powder and............ primers and percussion caps (I would sooner have them all in one place)

I did have a rather good chippy working for me for a few years so he ended up with it as a project and excelled himself. They wanted to spray paint it when it was finished and I had to talk them out of it, I mean that really was taking it to extremes, but then so is the lovely brass cabinet lock that has been let into the box.

[douglas670]

Hi There
hers my home made box with fire resistant strip, Lothian and borders Police Ok'd it.
i have since given up the black powder.
regards
douglas
only downside was I had to keep it i the attic!!!!!! i wasnt even allowded to inform the local fire brigade should the house go on fire as the police said the less people knew about it the better!!!!

[Robin128]

Mike357,

Don't go there...talk to BASC and get legal advice and their QC to argue the case...less, buy the standard compliant box...remember where you heard it first.



http://www.black-powder.co.uk/woodenbox.pdf

[Steve]

MDF is more fire retarded than ply due to being smooth with no grain.I know this because many commercial firedoors are made from it and they offer the minimum 30 minutes safety.I cannot see a problem with your box provided its minimum of 18mm.

[Mike357]

Had my visit today re Black Powder.

Corrected him on the need for the box to be secured to the building fabric but did move all the flammable liquids into the garage.

He had a battered photocopy of what the box should be like and went through every part except the material it was made of. He seemed happy enough so lets wait and see whether common sense prevails?

[Robin128]

Weird having all those regs around black powder but nothing so stringent for nitro.

[Mike357]

Black Powder is the devil's work and that of alchemists! Nitro powder is made in a factory.