federal laws regarding max limits of powder, ammo owned /stored?

[SHR970]

Absent any other local codes, your amounts of smokeless powder, black powder, and primers fall under NFPA 495 Ch. 14. The NFPA codes are also known as "The National Fire Codes". If your locality does not have any other codes these are in effect. Many places adopt these with their own amendments. And just to confuse matters further, there are now the "International Fire Codes" that are adopted in whole or in part in many jurisdictions.

BP and SP ARE treated differently in the codes and for good reason. Smokeless is Ch. 14.3 and BP is Ch 14.4 and Primers are Ch. 14.5

Under the National codes you are allowed the following quantities in a residence for personal use:

Smokeless: Up to 20 lb.s if stored in original containers. Up to 50 lb.s if stored in original containers AND in a wooden box or cabinet with walls at least 1" thick.

Black Powder: Up to 20 lb.s if stored in original containers AND in a wooden box or cabinet having walls at least 1" thick.

Primers: 10,000

However, State, County, or Local ordinances may be more restrictive but can not be less restrictive. You can start by checking on line with your state Fire Marshal's office and see what the state level has. You can probably also find more info at the County website.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

However, State, County, or Local ordinances may be more restrictive but can not be less restrictive. You can start by checking on line with your state Fire Marshal's office and see what the state level has. You can probably also find more info at the County website.

I have to disagree.

The NFPA standards are not legally enforceable codes unless and until adopted by some legal/political jurisdiction. The NFPA is just an organization that writes codes and sells books ... they have zero enforcement authority. Not one single NFPA code or standard applies to anyone unless their political jurisdiction has formally adopted it -- and, in adopting it, any jurisdiction can choose to make any part either less or more restrictive.

In my state, fire codes are adopted and published only by the state. Municipalities and counties are NOT allowed to adopt either building or fire codes beyond what the state gives us. And our state fire code does NOT include NFPA 495. (We skip from NFPA 434 to NFPA 651.

 

[SHR970]

The NFPA standards are not legally enforceable codes unless and until adopted by some legal/political jurisdiction.

Yes you covered that earlier. However, any state that adopts IFC or NFC also adopts NFPA by reference in Art.1 of either. Just like in the UBC, there is the "Other Nationally Recognized Standards" clause. As your AHJ has adopted NFPA Art. 1 you have NFPA 495 in effect due to NFPA 1.3.2.2

NFPA 1.3.2.2: Where no applicable codes, standards, or requirements are set forth in this Code or contained within other laws, codes, regulations, ordinances, or bylaws adopted by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), compliance with applicable codes and standards of NFPA or other nationally recognized standards as are approved shall be deemed as prima facie evidence of compliance with the intent of this Code.


Code enforcement can be challenging in any jurisdiction due to the cross referencing from one group of codes to other codes, standards, and national trade organizations. The NFPA set has grown to 18 books: One is a master volume / index, two others are clarifications / interpretations for some of the codes. We have the joy of Ca. Title 24 in 11 parts. Part 2 is Building Code, Part 9 is Fire Code.


Ed. to add: Frankenmauser hit it on the head when he said Check with city, county, state, and any other applicable governing bodies, to see what the laws and fire code limit you to. Each jurisdiction has its own unique twists and turns when it comes to these subjects.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Yes you covered that earlier. However, any state that adopts IFC or NFC also adopts NFPA by reference in Art.1 of either. Just like in the UBC, there is the "Other Nationally Recognized Standards" clause. As your AHJ has adopted NFPA Art. 1 you have NFPA 495 in effect due to NFPA 1.3.2.2

No, this is incorrect. The International Building Code (IBC) includes an appendix of reference standards. Those are the only ones of the NFPA standards and codes that are adopted when a jurisdiction adopts the IBC, Among them are a number of NFPA standards/codes, but far from all of them. And the one covering gunpowder (NFPA 495) is NOT one of the ones listed -- therefore, it is not an enforceable standard by virtue of adopting the IBC, because the IBC doesn't reference it.

The IFC references NFPA 495 -- but not all jurisdictions adopting the IBC also adopt the IFC. My entire state does not recognize the IFC. Therefore -- there is no path to making NFPA 495 an enforceable code.

And a jurisdiction can amend the list of reference standards in the appendix at the time they adopt the IBC. My state has to, because state statutes (stupidly) specifically cite older editions of some of them, so the building code has to be amended to agree with statute.