Quote Originally Posted by jerrymrc View Post
I think the main reason is because when I was doing my research I never once thought about the number of primers. That thought comes because as a "Haz-mat" item primers and powder are looked at as the same. Until you brought it up I have always looked at both from a weight perspective and not a number.

I can put 50lbs of powder/primers on one ticket. 50lbs of primers is like 70-80,000 or more. I truly believe that when you start digging that you will find that the limitations that you have found in print mainly apply to a business. I do know about the powder limit "for display" that is out there but to be honest when it comes to the insurance issue I look at it as you have it or you don't.

Unless the point of ignition started at the storage site of ones powder and primers it would be a moot point IMO and we have many here in the industry that could chime in on this.

I like to think that common sense applies in that after ones house burns to the ground that some inspector would not be trying to count primers to get over 10,000 to deny a claim. I do not believe that most here are ignoring the issue but take a different look at it because I know I do.

Being one that has these items and also restores cars I have many items that are flammable. I also have taken precautions and have implemented fire control and prevention measures. There are only two outcomes at my place. A fire that is quickly put out and damage is minimal or it all burns to the ground. this has already been proven once here about 13 years ago by one of my children and his training after he screwed up worked and the damage was small.

You have found an issue that you want a black and white answer to and I am afraid that you will only find shades of grey. I wish you luck in your quest and please do give us updates on this.
You make a number of good points and I readily admit that my concern *may* be unnecessary. For one thing, if the local municipality where one resides has NOT created ordinances patterned after the NFPA publication, or similar, then my concerns would be entirely obviated.

>>I truly believe that when you start digging that you will find that the limitations that you have found in print mainly apply to a business.<<

On this point, I beg to differ. The NFPA guidelines are clearly delineated between "residences" and "commercial establishments" with explicit language directed at each. Here are several relevant paragraphs copied from NFPA 495:

11-5.3 No more than 25,000 small arms primers may be transported in a private vehicle.

11-5.4 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be stored in residences.

11-5.5 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be displayed in commercial establishments.

11-5.6 Commercial stocks of small arms primers shall be stored as follows: .....(see NFPA 495 for details)
With regard to "commercial" businesses, it addresses how primers are to be "displayed" and how they are to be "stored" as separate guidelines. Like you, I've noted practices at several commercial businesses in the area (back when they had available product for sale and "displayed") that appear to be in violation of the NFPA guidelines - which raises some interesting questions.

Regarding residences, however, I am pretty clear on the language, and intent, of paragraph 11-5.4. There cannot be much doubt that a maximum limit of 10,000 primers may be stored in residences per this document. If the NFPA document carries any legal authority (either directly or adopted) then it is sensible to at least be aware of the prescribed limitation.

I think the "grey" are you mention is the fact there are still too many 'if's' to allow any black-and-white answers at this stage. I will report back as I dig into this more deeply and assuming the information I gather is useful.