Type IV storage

In order to properly and legally
store most pyrotechnic or explosive items, a storage magazine is needed. A
hobbyist operating outside of commerce doesn't necessarily need to be
federally licensed to have a proper storage magazine in use - but the
magazine must be constructed and placed in a manner up to snuff with ATFE
regulation. In no way is this a complete account of what must be done to
be fully in compliance with state or federal law, but may help give an
idea of one approach toward legality. If undertaking an endeavor similar
to this one, consult the ATFE orange book frequently and follow it to the
letter.

View of a small type IV magazine. Note
that interior is fully lined with non-sparking material and that the area
has been cleared of brush.

A type IV magazine can be used to store most
display fireworks, with a few exceptions. The magazine must be
weather-tight, ventilated, situated away from occupied buildings, lined
with a non-sparking material, and locked tightly. There are several ways
to accomplish each of these goals, and the following is but one account of
building a compliant magazine.

details showing welds made to
permanently secure door and bolts.

This magazine was obtained from a trucking company, and at
one time was used for transporting blasting materials. It's essentially
just a big sturdy truck box with a door on either end, and the advantage
of having a very solid locking system. Several modifications had to be
done, but the box proved to be a good starting point. Many other magazines
are constructed from "sea boxes", large shipping containers which are very
sturdy and waterproof. Some shipping containers require pretty much the
same steps as those outlined here to be usable as storage. This particular
box also had a door on either end, which was not desirable in this case.
The first step taken was welding that door shut, which was accomplished by
running welds on each door hinge area, and on the lock mechanisms
themselves. The only other option would have been to install lock hoods
and locks to this extra door, which will be discussed further along.

While the welder was still hot, welds were applied to each exposed
bolt on the exterior of the magazine, fusing the nuts to the bolts
permanently. On a storage magazine, the nuts must either be located facing
the inside of the magazine, where they cannot be tampered with, or welded
permanently in place as done here. The welds were later painted white with
enamel-based paint to enhance their longevity.

Ventilation also needed to be installed. A series of 1/4" holes were
drilled and then covered with an aluminum soffit vent cover, which is
louvered to keep rain or embers from entering. A piece of screening sits
behind the vent.

Next, lock hoods were built from 1/4" square pipe, 1/4" steel plate,
and 7/16" steel bar. The hoods are simply sections of the pipe which have
been capped on one end, and cut to fit over the locking mechanisms on the
magazine. Holes were then drilled to accept the steel bar, which is
positioned so that the lock hasps go around it as well as through the
locking mechanisms on the box. Everything was welded together very
securely, then each assembly painted white.

View of small vent installed
on side of box. A rectangle of screening is behind vent to keep bugs
out.

lock hoods in place

The box itself is locked by closing the door, placing the hoods over
the lock mechanisms of the box, and then locking the padlock over the
hoods' steel bars and through the holes in the box mechanism. The padlocks
themselves are also required to be up to spec, and are very heavy-duty
with hasps over the required thickness. They were second in expense only
to the initial purchase of the box itself!

When locked, the hoods are very tight and don't budge a centimeter. The
purpose of these hoods is to make tampering with or cutting of the locks
very difficult; It's tough enough to get a hand into the hood, let alone
any type of tool or cutter.

The next step was creating a plat drawing including distances from
occupied buildings and roads. The exact details and distances can be
obtained from the ATFE "orange book" in subsection K, which, among other
things, outlines all pertinent details for storage magazines type I
through V.

The plat drawing as well as photographs of the magazine were then sent
to the ATFE headquarters for reveiw. An inspector paid a visit to the
magazine site and deemed everything up to spec and in good shape!