La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § I-1511

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-1511 - Magazine Construction Requirements

A. Magazines shall be constructed in conformity with the provisions of these rules and regulations, or may be of substantially equivalent construction satisfactory to the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services.

B. Magazines for the storage of explosives, other than black powder or smokeless propellant shall be bullet-resistant, weather-resistant, fire-resistant, theft-resistant, and ventilated sufficiently to protect the explosive in the specific locality. Magazines used only for the storage of black powder or smokeless propellant shall be weather-resistant, fire-resistant, theft-resistant, and have ventilation. Magazines for storage of detonators shall be weather-resistant, fire-resistant, theft-resistant, and ventilated.

C. Magazine sites upon which outdoor type magazines are located shall be posted with signs reading "explosives-keep out" (or equivalent) legibly printed thereon in letters not less than 2 inches high. These signs shall be visible from any direction. A second sign shall be posted at the entrance of the facility and shall read "Danger-Never fight explosives fires-Explosives are stored on this site-Call (Emergency Phone Number)" legibly printed thereon in letters not less than 2 inches high. Such signs shall be located so as to minimize the possibility of a bullet traveling in the direction of the magazine if anyone should shoot at the sign. All licensed magazines shall have a license number and 24 hour emergency telephone contact number affixed to the front of the magazine in the following manner.

1. The license number assigned by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Explosive Control Unit, for that specific magazine will be permanently inscribed, welded, or otherwise permanently affixed to one hood covering a lock on each indoor and outdoor magazine; does not apply to Type 3 magazines. The letters and numbers shall be at least 1/4" in height die stenciled, welded or engraved in a manner that is clear, legible and permanent.

D. Magazines shall not be provided with heat or lights, except that if lights are necessary, an approved safety flashlight or safety lantern shall be used, provided however, trailer mounted portable magazines while containing no explosives shall use normal automobile lighting systems required for highway use. The Office of the Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services may waive the requirements of this Subsection if adequate safety is assured.

E. Magazines constructed according to the following minimum specifications are approved as bullet-resistant and fire-resistant.

1. Exterior Construction

a. The exterior and doors are to be constructed of not less than 1/4 inch steel and lined with at least 2 inches of hardwood. Magazines with top openings will have lids with water-resistant seals or which overlap the sides by at least 1 inch when in a closed position.

2. General

a. Outdoor magazines (Type 1 and 2) are to be bullet-resistant, fire-resistant, weather-resistant, theft-resistant and ventilated. They are to be supported to prevent direct contact with the ground and, if less than 1 cubic yard in size, must be securely fastened to a fixed object. The ground around outdoor magazines must slope away for drainage or other adequate drainage provided. When unattended, vehicular magazines must have wheels removed or otherwise effectively immobilized by kingpin locking devices or other methods approved by the director.

b. Magazines shall be constructed in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 27 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 555.207, 555.208, 555.209, 555.210, 555.211.

Types 1, 2, 3 or 4 magazines shall be constructed with a lattice, paint, mastic, or equivalent lining, to prevent contact of explosive materials with masonry walls or ferrous metal.

F. A Type 3 magazine is a "day box" or other portable magazine. It must be theft-resistant, fire-resistant, and weather-resistant (does not have to be bullet-resistant).

1. Minimum specifications require that a "day box" be constructed of not less than 12-gauge (.1046 inch) (2.66 mm) steel or aluminum, lined with 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) hardboard or plywood. The door or lid must overlap the door opening by at least 1 inch (25 mm). Hinges, hasps, and panels shall be welded, riveted, or bolted (with nuts on inside) so they cannot be removed or disassembled from the outside.

2. The magazine shall be equipped with at least a 5-tumbler padlock (which need not be protected by a steel hood) meeting the lock requirements outlined in §1511. I.1 of this Chapter.

3. Explosive materials are not to be left unattended in Type 3 magazines and must be removed to Type 1 or Type 2 magazines. This requirement does not apply to offshore operations.

G. Unattended vehicular Type 5 magazines shall have wheels removed or shall be immobilized by kingpin locking devices. Placards required by DOT must be displayed on all Type 5 magazines containing blasting agents.

H. Magazines used for indoor storage shall be fire- and theft-resistant. They do not have to be weather- and bullet-resistant if the buildings in which they are stored provide protection from the weather and from bullet penetration.

1. No indoor storage facility shall contain more than 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of explosive materials or more than 5,000 detonators. When explosive materials and detonators are stored in the same building they shall be stored in separate magazines.

2. No indoor storage magazine for explosive materials shall be located in a residence or dwelling.

3. Indoor magazines shall be provided with handles or substantial wheels or casters to facilitate removal from a building in an emergency.

I. All magazines shall be equipped with approved locking devices which shall conform to at least the following minimum standards of quality and design:

1. padlocks shall consist of a steel or brass case of at least 1 1/8 inch thickness, with case hardened steel shackles of 3/8 inch diameter and 2-inch maximum length when in the locked position. Either one 12-pin or two 5-pin locks may be used (Type 3 and Type 5 magazines only require one 5-pin lock). Key numbers shall be removed from the locks. Padlocks to be enclosed by a hooded metal type enclosure 1/4-inch thick steel. Hooded enclosure must be constructed to restrict forcible entry from pry bars, hacksaws, and bolt cutters;

2. two mortise locks;

3. combination of a mortise lock or a hooded padlock;

4. mortise lock that requires two keys to open; or

5. three-point lock or equivalent-type lock that secures the door to the frame at more than one point;

6. doors that are secured by at least two substantial internal bolts or bars do not require additional locking devices on the exterior.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § I-1511

Adopted by the Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, 1974, amended and promulgated LR 10:803 (October 1984), amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Transportation and Environmental Safety Section, Explosive Control Unit, LR 22:1230 (December 1996), LR 24:105 (January 1998), amended by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, LR 26:91 (January 2000), LR 34:1037 (June 2008), LR 34:2675 (December 2008), LR 36:551 (March 2010).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1472.1 et seq.