Where are you storing it?

SP Shop Foreman · April 14, 2009, 02:16 PM

I was looking at the reloading bench pictures and it ocurred to me that a lot of reloaders have a lot of powder stored in the house, or in a room in the house.
Do any members here use either a bunker or a reloading room that is not attatched to, or in the house?

It might interest you to know that many (most) insurance companies won't cover fire damage that is "compounded " by gunpowders and loaded cartridges being stored inside the living structure.

Ours isn't attatched to the house and I'd probably not have thought of it except for my father's insurance broker asking about it last renewal.

Latigo

Dan The Sig Man · April 14, 2009, 02:18 PM

You know I was kind of wondering that same thing. I am checking into Fire Cabinets or some kind of Storage device that will protect against a fire getting to my Powder and Primers.

SP Shop Foreman · April 14, 2009, 04:28 PM

I think that this is one of those posts that will get a lot of reads and few responses.

..... But its worth thinking about.

Latigo

AlaskaMike · April 14, 2009, 05:29 PM

Unless you have a tremendous amount of powder, it really isn't the big deal most people think it is, assuming the powder is still in their original containers (that are designed to rupture at low pressure). There are so many other things in the typical garage that are more dangerous--paint cans, oil bottles, etc.

That said, if you're concerned about it there are guidelines published by the NFPA which cover this. These are the guidelines which the insurance companies rely on. http://www.nfpa.org

Mike

SP Shop Foreman · April 14, 2009, 05:34 PM

No, I'm not concerned for us because we have an addendum in the policy, but the agent said that it can come as a big surprise if something does happen and they discover gunpowder was stored in the house.
Just something to think about.

I meant to add that our agent is a strong gun supporter, but he also said that the issue is very PC among insurance companies.

Latigo

FrankenMauser · April 14, 2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

It might interest you to know that many (most) insurance companies won't cover fire damage that is "compounded " by gunpowders and loaded cartridges being stored inside the living structure.

If you are using legal storage methods for legal quantities, according to local fire codes and laws; the claim cannot be denied. (Unless you are insured through a back-alley company, and signed your life away for no real coverage.)

My insurance policy does have a few disclaimers in the "Fire and fire damage" section. Most important to this discussion, is a statement to the effect of: "...evidence of flammable materials, or negligent storage methods for flammable agents can be cause for claim denial..."

For now, I'll worry more about the gas can next to my water heater....

BigDog454 · April 14, 2009, 08:30 PM

And Where do you store your gasoline for your lawn mower??

Dr. Strangelove · April 14, 2009, 08:58 PM

There have been a few lively threads on this, most end up as discussions between folks who want/need commercial type locked storage and those who just keep their powder on their bench and don't worry.

Evaluate your personal needs, talk with your insurance agent, then make an informed decision. Personally, I would much rather stand next to a pound of smokeless powder in it's original container than an equal amount of gasoline in it's container in a fire. Conferring with a few firefighter buddies, they agree.

**Mike Irwin** · April 14, 2009, 10:09 PM

Next to the furnace, in front of the water heater.

I have a closet in the basement that's away from the utility room.

Powder goes in there.

"And Where do you store your gasoline for your lawn mower??"

What am I, my lawn service? It's their problem...

Steviewonder1 · April 14, 2009, 10:39 PM

Powder above the bench and primers and bullits below. Brass is stored all over the place, have more than all of the other......

Steviewonder1 · April 14, 2009, 10:42 PM

Consider getting an Insurance Rider to cover Other things that can go BANG in the night like shooting an intruder, or your ammo going up in a fire that started in your next door neighbors house.......Mine is well into 7 digits. I feel fine.....

April 14, 2009, 02:16 PM	#1
SP Shop Foreman Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 169	Where are you storing it? I was looking at the reloading bench pictures and it ocurred to me that a lot of reloaders have a lot of powder stored in the house, or in a room in the house. Do any members here use either a bunker or a reloading room that is not attatched to, or in the house? It might interest you to know that many (most) insurance companies won't cover fire damage that is "compounded " by gunpowders and loaded cartridges being stored inside the living structure. Ours isn't attatched to the house and I'd probably not have thought of it except for my father's insurance broker asking about it last renewal. Latigo __________________ Latigo www.swissproductsllc.com

April 14, 2009, 04:28 PM	#3
SP Shop Foreman Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 169	I think that this is one of those posts that will get a lot of reads and few responses. ..... But its worth thinking about. Latigo __________________ Latigo www.swissproductsllc.com

April 14, 2009, 05:34 PM	#5
SP Shop Foreman Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 169	No, I'm not concerned for us because we have an addendum in the policy, but the agent said that it can come as a big surprise if something does happen and they discover gunpowder was stored in the house. Just something to think about. I meant to add that our agent is a strong gun supporter, but he also said that the issue is very PC among insurance companies. Latigo __________________ Latigo www.swissproductsllc.com Last edited by SP Shop Foreman; April 14, 2009 at 05:43 PM. Reason: Comment

April 14, 2009, 08:30 PM	#7
BigDog454 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2007 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 100	And Where do you store your gasoline for your lawn mower?? __________________ An unarmed man is a slave, an armed man is a citizen!

April 14, 2009, 10:09 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,383	Next to the furnace, in front of the water heater. I have a closet in the basement that's away from the utility room. Powder goes in there. "And Where do you store your gasoline for your lawn mower??" What am I, my lawn service? It's their problem... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 14, 2009, 02:18 PM	#2
Dan The Sig Man Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 191	You know I was kind of wondering that same thing. I am checking into Fire Cabinets or some kind of Storage device that will protect against a fire getting to my Powder and Primers.

April 14, 2009, 05:29 PM	#4
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	Unless you have a tremendous amount of powder, it really isn't the big deal most people think it is, assuming the powder is still in their original containers (that are designed to rupture at low pressure). There are so many other things in the typical garage that are more dangerous--paint cans, oil bottles, etc. That said, if you're concerned about it there are guidelines published by the NFPA which cover this. These are the guidelines which the insurance companies rely on. http://www.nfpa.org Mike

April 14, 2009, 08:58 PM	#8
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	There have been a few lively threads on this, most end up as discussions between folks who want/need commercial type locked storage and those who just keep their powder on their bench and don't worry. Evaluate your personal needs, talk with your insurance agent, then make an informed decision. Personally, I would much rather stand next to a pound of smokeless powder in it's original container than an equal amount of gasoline in it's container in a fire. Conferring with a few firefighter buddies, they agree.

April 14, 2009, 10:39 PM	#10
Steviewonder1 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: John's Creek, Georgia Posts: 328	Storage Powder above the bench and primers and bullits below. Brass is stored all over the place, have more than all of the other......

April 14, 2009, 10:42 PM	#11
Steviewonder1 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: John's Creek, Georgia Posts: 328	Where it is in the Loading Room Consider getting an Insurance Rider to cover Other things that can go BANG in the night like shooting an intruder, or your ammo going up in a fire that started in your next door neighbors house.......Mine is well into 7 digits. I feel fine.....