Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
Section 5601 — GENERAL
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · California
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5601.1 Scope. ¶
5601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the possession, manufacture, storage, handling, sale and use of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks rockets, emergency signaling devices and small arms ammunition. Exceptions: 1. The Armed Forces of the United States, Coast Guard or National Guard. 2. Explosives in forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopoeia. 3. The possession, storage and use of small arms ammunition where packaged in accordance with DOTn packaging requirements. 4. The possession, storage and use of not more than 1 pound (0.454 kg) of…
5601.2 Permit required. ¶
5601.2 Permit required. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 105.5 and regulated in accordance with this section. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS 5601.2.1 Residential uses. Persons shall not keep or store, nor shall any permit be issued to keep or store, any explosives at any place of habitation, or within 100 feet (30 480 mm) thereof. Exception: Storage of smokeless propellant, black powder and small arms primers for personal use and not for resale in accordance with Section 5606. 5601.2.2 Sale and retail display. Persons shall not construct a…
5601.3 Prohibited explosives. ¶
5601.3 Prohibited explosives. Permits shall not be issued or renewed for possession, manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of the following materials and such materials currently in storage or use shall be disposed of in an approved manner. 1. Liquid nitroglycerin. 2. Dynamite containing more than 60-percent liquid explosive ingredient. 3. Dynamite having an unsatisfactory absorbent or one that permits leakage of a liquid explosive ingredient under any conditions liable to exist during storage. 4. Nitrocellulose in a dry and uncompressed condition in a quantity greater than 10 pounds…
5601.4 Qualifications. ¶
5601.4 Qualifications. Persons in charge of magazines, blasting, fireworks display or pyrotechnic special effect operations shall not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impair sensory or motor skills, shall be not less than 21 years of age and shall demonstrate knowledge of all safety precautions related to the storage, handling or use of explosives, explosive materials or fireworks.
5601.5 Supervision. ¶
5601.5 Supervision. The fire code official is authorized to require operations permitted under the provisions of Section 5601.2 to be supervised at any time by the fire code official in order to determine compliance with all safety and fire regulations.
5601.6 Notification. ¶
5601.6 Notification. Whenever a new explosive material storage or manufacturing site is established, including a temporary job site, the local law enforcement agency, fire department and local emergency planning committee shall be notified 48 hours in advance, not including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, of the type, quantity and location of explosive materials at the site.
5601.7 Seizure. ¶
5601.7 Seizure. The fire code official is authorized to remove or cause to be removed or disposed of in an approved manner, at the expense of the owner, explosives, explosive materials or fireworks offered or exposed for sale, stored, possessed or used in violation of this chapter.
5601.8 Establishment of quantity of explosives and distances. ¶
5601.8 Establishment of quantity of explosives and distances. The quantity of explosives and distances shall be in accordance with Sections 5601.8.1 through 5601.8.1.4. 56-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS 5601.8.1 Quantity of explosives. The quantity-distance (Q-D) tables in Sections 5604.5 and 5605.3 shall be used to provide the minimum separation distances from potential explosion sites as set forth in Tables 5601.8.1(1) through 5601.8.1(3). The classification and the weight of the explosives are primary characteristics…