Sorry in advance for the long post.
I'm going to try for a LEUP with an indoor storage waiver. I live in a
typical NJ neighborhood with less than ½ acre of land. I can't have
an outdoor storage magazine since I don't have enough property to meet
the 75ft minimum in the table of distances in the Orange Book.
So I'm going to make an appointment to see the local fire official
here in Plainsboro NJ and see if he will permit me to store an
explosives magazine in my attached garage. As luck would have it, the
house is pretty new, and the building codes around here are very
tough. The sheet rock in the garage is 5/8" thick. So my garage
walls have a one-hour fire resistance rating.
The door between the garage and the house appears to be fire rated as
well. It is metal and the part the faces the garage appears to be
extra thick (you can see this when looking at the side of the door).
The builder also installed UL-rated, spring-loaded hinges that say
"door closer body". Unfortunately, the door hinges do not close the
door (I think the springs are too weak). I could install a door
closer to remedy this. These things appear to address most of the
issues with storage of a magazine in an attached garage.
As far as I can see, I should be OK with a high quality Type-2 or
Type-4 explosives magazine. I really cannot see any reason why an
indoor magazine would pose a problem.
I've tried to read everything I could to prepare for the meeting. I
looked up the various codes as best I could. For those who may
attempt the same thing, here is what I found so far:
I went to the local library and began looking up codes as best I
could. I read the Plainsboro code, which essentially adopts the New
Jersey Uniform Fire Code. I did not see anything in either of these
codes that cover the storage of explosives. In fact, based on some
confusing language in the Plainsboro code, it is not entirely clear to
me that either of these codes apply to "owner-occupied one and
two-family dwellings." But like I said, these codes did not say
anything about explosives storage. I also checked my housing
covenants and they don't say anything about explosives storage.
I also did a text search for explosives in the NJ Administrative Code.
I did find some text relating to explosives at 12:190-5.1 et seq. This
section is entitled "Subchapter 5 - Storage of Explosives." Perhaps
Plainsboro follows this part of the NJ Administrative Code, perhaps
not.
In any event, the only issue I see here is that the NJ Administrative
Code defines a metal Type-4 magazine as having 16-gauge metal, lined
with a nonsparking material. Every Type-4 magazine that I have seen
uses 18-gauge metal ? a much thinner gauge. So, if Plainsboro follows
the NJ Administrative Code, I might need a Type-2 magazine.
So the local Fire official is the next step. Wish me luck!
Dan
A few thoughts -
You were unclear as to weather yours is a single or two family
dwelling. If it is a teo family dwelling and you want to keep it in
your attached garage, the ATF almost certainly won't give you a
storage permit. If it is ann attached garage & you live in a single
family dwelling, you can probably get approved with a waiver.
I can't imagine NJ not allowing the commercial magazines we normally
use. I don't think I'd mention it but if they do, I'd just say that
it is an ATF approved Type 2 or 4 magazine for low explosives and your
stuff isn't explosive anyway. Here's the place that advertises in
Rockets Magazine
formatting link
looks like that
shold have anything you need.
Phil
You've probably got 'bomber' hinges. Look on the top and see if there
aren't several holes in them, and a pin in one. If so, get a small
finish nail which fits in the hole. Now be smart about it, figure out
how strong the spring is before you pull the pin. The idea is to remove
the pin, pull against the tension a couple spots, replace the pin,
repeat. Do this until you get the springs taut enough to close the
door. Remember don't grab it all with one hinge, all three will do the
work.
If that works you've saved the cost of a door closer.
Chuck
Good luck Dan.
In NJ you need a permit for your dog to fart.
The town council will most likely ask you to get a variance. Your neighbors
will need to sign.
Go door to door and tell them you need permission to store explosives next
to them.
Wear a turban and bow a lot.
Tom
Cuchk, that was a great suggestion. You were exactly right.
The builder did not install any pins - hence no spring tension. I
found some round rod and made some pins. I turned the insert part (it
has an allen key opening) until I got some spring tension. Then I
stuck some pins in ... and voila now the door closes automatically.
Thanks,
Dan
Up here in NY you the local ATF says a separate magazine will be needed
to store ignitors. If you do not plan to store ignitors, or use
non-pyro ignition (resistors) or obtain your igniters on site you will
only need 1 magazine.
Dan wrote:
The federal variance conditions for storage in an attached garage state that
storage of igniters is in a separate magazine. I took that to mean the
e-matches as well. I have two magazines for storage and I separate the
igniters from the rest of the reloads as I get them.
This is a requirement of the variance for attached garage storage. You can
still transport your material or store it while at the launch site in one
magazine.
Yes, it sucks.
Just to be clear -- is this a requirement only for an attached garage?
Does it apply to a detached garage, or to a separate shed? And in
regards to a shed, are there any specific requirements in relation to
one? Thanks in advance for any information, while I'm still donating to
the legal fund and hoping to have legislative/judicial relief, it looks
as though I may have to apply for a LEUP myself...
David Erbas-White
Thomas Koszuta wrote:
That was mentioned to me when I got my permit. When I showed ths guy
that they were shipped with the igniter inside the sealed bag, he let
it slide.
Not all igniters are regulated. If you are using unregulated
igniters, I wouldn't have them around of mention it to them. If you
are using regulated ignitors, you have to do whatever they want. It
makes sense not to put the stuff that lights the stuff you are trying
to protect yourself from in the same box. If it comes up, maybe offer
to put the ignitors in an ammo box inside the magazine. Being inside
the magazine makes it secure and the ammo box keeps the two things
seperate. This will probably not be an acceptable solution for some
agents but maybe you'll get lucky and get one that knows what they're
dealing with.
Phil
OK, here is a quick update. I'm still not sure whether I can get
local approval.
I did have a telephone discussion with the local fire official. I
really just wanted to make an appointment to come and see him in
person. But he naturally wanted to know why I called. We discussed
the ATF permit process. I explained that I needed certify to the ATF
that my storage method complies with state and local laws. The fire
official was very nice about the request.
He was not familiar with high power rocket engines. He said that he
needed to do some research on the topic before he could tell me
anything. He confirmed that there are no local laws covering storage
of this kind of stuff. He also confirmed that he wanted to look at
some provisions of the NFPA. I mentioned that NFPA 1127 covered this
subject matter. I don't think he wanted any additional information
from me, so I did not push. He did say he would get back to me in the
next day or so.
So ? I still have my fingers crossed.
Dan
Dan, the fire official where I live in NJ has dealt with at least two of
us so far, with no issue. I store in my detached garage, so my situation
is a bit different than yours. But if you think it would help if your
fire official talked with his counterpart here, contact me off-list.
OK, I'll send you an e-mail. It can't hurt to have a back up plan.
Thanks,
Dan
>Dan wrote:
> > OK, here is a quick update. I'm still not sure whether I can get > > local approval.
> >
> > I did have a telephone discussion with the local fire official ...
> > He did say he would get back to me in the next day or so.
>
>Dan, the fire official where I live in NJ has dealt with at least two of
>us so far, with no issue. I store in my detached garage, so my situation
>is a bit different than yours. But if you think it would help if your
>fire official talked with his counterpart here, contact me off-list.
Get the MSDS and DOT documents for the engines/reloads to take to the
fire marshal. When I first talked to the local fire marshal, he went
ballistic. When he saw the rating, he told me that state and local law
did not even cover them (class C).
My local building code requires a 1 hour wall, but only a 20 minute
door between the house and garage and does not require UL listed
closers. ATF requires a 1 hour door and your metal door may well have
that rating. It is printed on a label on the edge of the hinge side.
ATF also requires a UL listed closer (which can be gotten at Home
Depot).
Good Luck,
Larry
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.