Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
Section 5606 — SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION AND SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION COMPONENTS
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
5606.1 General. ¶
Indoor storage and display of black powder, smokeless propellants, small arms primers,small arms ammunition and commercial reloading shall comply with this section and NFPA 495.
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EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
5606.2 Prohibited storage. ¶
Small arms ammunition shall not be stored together with Division 1.1, Division 1.2 or Division 1.3 explosives unless the storage facility is suitable for the storage of explosive materials.
5606.3 Packages. ¶
Smokeless propellants shall be stored in approved shipping containers conforming to DOTn 49 CFR Part 173.
5606.3.1 Repackaging. The bulk repackaging of smokeless propellants, black powder and small arms primers shall not be performed in retail establishments.
5606.3.2 Damaged packages. Damaged containers shall not be repackaged.
Exception: Approved repackaging of damaged containers of smokeless propellant into containers of the same type and size as the original container.
5606.4 Storage in Group R occupancies. ¶
The storage of small arms ammunition components in Group R occupancies shall comply with Sections 5606.4.1 through 5606.4.3.
5606.4.1 Black powder. Black powder for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) shall be stored in original containers in occupancies limited to Group R-3. Quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) shall not be stored in any Group R
occupancy.
5606.4.2 Smokeless propellants. Smokeless propellants for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) shall be stored in original containers in occupancies limited to Group R-3. Smokeless propellants in quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg) but not exceeding 50 pounds (23 kg) and kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of not less than 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness shall be allowed to be stored in occupancies limited to Group R-3. Quantities exceeding these amounts shall not be stored in any Group R occupancy.
5606.4.3 Small arms primers. Not more than 10,000 small arms primers shall be stored in occupancies limited to Group R-3.
5606.5 Display and storage in Group M occupancies. ¶
The display and storage of small arms ammunition components in Group M occupancies shall comply with Sections 5606.5.1 through 5606.5.2.3.
5606.5.1 Display. Display of small arms ammunition components in Group M occupancies shall comply with Sections 5606.5.1.1 through 5606.5.1.3.
5606.5.1.1 Smokeless propellant. Not more than 20 pounds (9 kg) of smokeless propellants, in containers of 1 pound (0.454 kg) or less capacity each, shall be displayed in Group M occupancies.
5606.5.1.2 Black powder. Not more than 1 pound (0.454 kg) of black powder shall be displayed in Group M occupancies.
5606.5.1.3 Small arms primers. Not more than 10,000 small arms primers shall be displayed in Group M occupancies.
5606.5.2 Storage. Storage of small arms ammunition components shall comply with Sections 5606.5.2.1 through 5606.5.2.3.
5606.5.2.1 Smokeless propellant. Commercial stocks of smokeless propellants shall be stored as follows:
- Quantities exceeding 20 pounds (9 kg), but not exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg) shall be stored in portable wooden boxes having walls of not less than 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness.
- Quantities exceeding 100 pounds (45 kg), but not exceeding 800 pounds (363 kg), shall be stored in nonportable storage cabinets having walls not less than 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness. Not more than 400 pounds (182 kg) shall be stored in any one cabinet, and cabinets shall be separated by a distance of not less than 25 feet (7620 mm) or by a fire partition having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
- Storage of quantities exceeding 800 pounds (363 kg), but not exceeding 5,000 pounds (2270 kg) in a building shall comply with all of the following: 3.1. The warehouse or storage room is not open to unauthorized personnel. 3.2. Smokeless propellant shall be stored in nonportable storage cabinets having wood walls not less than 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness and having shelves with not more than 3 feet (914 mm) of separation between shelves.
63 kg), but not exceeding 5,000 pounds (2270 kg) in a building shall comply with all of the following: 3.1. The warehouse or storage room is not open to unauthorized personnel. 3.2. Smokeless propellant shall be stored in nonportable storage cabinets having wood walls not less than 1 inch (25 mm) nominal thickness and having shelves with not more than 3 feet (914 mm) of separation between shelves.
3.3. Not more than 400 pounds (182 kg) is stored in any one cabinet. 3.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of the storage room or warehouse with not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets. 3.5. The minimum required separation between cabinets shall be 20 feet (6096 mm) provided that barricades twice the height of the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway between each cabinet. The barricades must extend not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) outward, be firmly attached to the wall and be constructed of steel not less than [1] / 4 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51 mm) nominal thickness wood, brick or concrete block. 3.6. Smokeless propellant shall be separated from materials classified as combustible liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids or oxidizing materials by a distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) or by a fire partition having a fire-resistance rating of 1 hour. 3.7. The building shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- Smokeless propellants not stored in accordance with Item 1, 2, or 3 shall be stored in a Type 2 or 4 magazine in accordance with Section 5604 and NFPA 495.
5606.5.2.2 Black powder. Commercial stocks of black powder in quantities less than 50 pounds (23 kg) shall be allowed to be stored in Type 2 or 4 indoor or outdoor magazines. Quantities greater than 50 pounds (23 kg) shall be stored in outdoor Type 2
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EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
or 4 magazines. Where black powder and smokeless propellants are stored together in the same magazine, the total quantity shall not exceed that permitted for black powder.
5606.5.2.3 Small arms primers. Commercial stocks of small arms primers shall be stored as follows:
- Quantities not to exceed 750,000 small arms primers stored in a building shall be arranged such that not more than 100,000 small arms primers are stored in any one pile and piles are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) apart.
- Quantities exceeding 750,000 small arms primers stored in a building shall comply with all of the following: 2.1. The warehouse or storage building is not open to unauthorized personnel. 2.2. Small arms primers shall be stored in cabinets. Not more than 200,000 small arms primers shall be stored in any one cabinet. 2.3. Shelves in cabinets shall have vertical separation of not less than 2 feet (610 mm). 2.4. Cabinets shall be located against walls of the warehouse or storage room with not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) between cabinets. The minimum required separation between cabinets shall be allowed to be reduced to 20 feet (6096 mm) provided that barricades twice the height of the cabinets are attached to the wall, midway between each cabinet. The barricades shall be firmly attached to the wall and shall be constructed of steel not less than [1] / 4 inch thick (6.4 mm), 2-inch (51 mm) nominal thickness wood, brick or concrete block.
2.5. Small arms primers shall be separated from materials classified as combustible liquids, flammable liquids, flammable solids or oxidizing materials by a distance of 25 feet (7620 mm) or by a fire partition having a fireresistance rating of 1 hour. 2.6. The building shall be protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- Small arms primers not stored in accordance with Item 1 or 2 of this section shall be stored in a magazine meeting the requirements of Section 5604 and NFPA 495.
5606.6 Commercial reloading. ¶
Commercial reloading of small arms ammunition shall comply with Sections 5606.6.1 through 5606.6.8.
5606.6.1 Electrical. Areas within 3 feet (914 mm) of reloading equipment shall be Class I, Division 2, Group A type.
5606.6.2 Exhaust fans. Squirrel cage blowers shall not be used for exhausting hazardous fumes, vapors or gases. Only nonferrous fan blades shall be used for fans located within the ductwork and through which hazardous materials are exhausted. Motors shall be located outside the duct.
5606.6.3 Workstations. Workstations shall be separated by distance, barrier or other approved alternatives so that fire in one station will not ignite material in another workstation.
5606.6.4 Personnel limits. The number of occupants in each process building and in each magazine shall not exceed the number necessary for proper conduct of production operations.
5606.6.5 Approved containers. Smokeless powder shall be kept in its original container.
5606.6.6 Static controls. The work area shall be provided with approved static controls.
5606.6.7 Waste disposal. Approved receptacles with covers shall be provided for each location for disposing of waste material and debris. These waste receptacles shall be emptied and cleaned as often as necessary but not less than once each day or at the end of each shift.
5606.6.8 Safety rules. General safety rules and operating instructions governing the particular operation or process conducted at that location shall be available at each location.
5606.7 Transportation of Small Arms Ammunition, Small Arms Primers, Smokeless Powder… ¶
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1574.1. Transportation]
§1574.1. Transportation. Quantities, in shipping containers approved by the US DOTn, of not more than twenty (20) pounds of smoke- less powder or not more than five (5) pounds of black sporting powder (or any combination thereof) may be transported in a private passenger vehicle without a permit.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1574.2. Magazine]
§1574.2. Magazine— When Required. Quantities in excess of twenty (20) pounds (but not exceeding fifty (50) pounds) of smokeless powder, or not more than five (5) pounds of black sporting powder (or any combination thereof) may be transported in a private passen- ger vehicle when approved by the “Chief” having jurisdiction, provided however, that such powder shall be transported in separate portable magazines having wooden walls of at least one (1) inch nominal thickness.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1574.3. Transportation Prohibitions]
§1574.3. Transportation Prohibitions. Transportation of quantities in excess of fifty (50) pounds of smokeless powder or five (5) pounds of black sporting powder is prohibited in a private passenger vehicle.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1574.4. Transportation—US Department of Transportation]
§1574.4. Transportation—US Department of Transportation. Transportation of quantities in excess of fifty (50) pounds of smokeless powder or five (5) pounds of black sporting powder in other than a private passenger vehicle shall be in accordance with the US DOTn regulations.
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EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1574.5. Storage Containers]
§1574.5. Storage Containers. All smokeless powder and black sporting powder shall be stored in US DOTn approved shipping contain- ers, or in a container approved by the “Chief” having jurisdiction.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1575. Primer Containers]
§1575. Primer Containers. Small arms ammunition primers shall not be transported or stored except in the original shipping container approved by the US DOTn.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1575.1. Transportation]
§1575.1. Transportation. Truck or rail transportation of small arms ammunition primers shall be in accordance with US DOTn regulations.
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1575.2 Transportation Prohibitions]
§1575.2 Transportation Prohibitions. Not more than 250,000 small arms ammunition primers shall be transported in a private passen- ger vehicle.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
- Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
- Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
- Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
- Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
- Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
- Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
- Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
- Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
- Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
- Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
- Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
- Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
- Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
- Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
- Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
- Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
- Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
- Chapter 36 — MARINAS
- Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
- Chapter 38 — RESERVED
- Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
- Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
- Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
- Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
- Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
- Chapter 52 — RESERVED
- Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
- Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
- Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
-
▸ Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
Overview- Section 5601 — GENERAL
- Section 5602 — DEFINITIONS
- Section 5603 — RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING
- Section 5604 — EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS STORAGE AND HANDLING
- Section 5605 — MANUFACTURE, ASSEMBLY AND TESTING OF EXPLOSIVES…
- Section 5606 — SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION AND SMALL ARMS AMMUNITION…
- Section 5607 — BLASTING
- Section 5608 — FIREWORKS DISPLAY
- Section 5609 — TEMPORARY STORAGE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS
- Section 5610 — EXPERIMENTAL ROCKETS/UNLIMITED
- Section 5611 — MODEL ROCKETS
- Section 5612 — EXPERIMENTAL HIGH POWER ROCKETS AND MOTORS
- Section 5613 — EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICES
- Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
- Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
- Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
- Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
- Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
- Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
- Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
- Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
- Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
- Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
- Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
- Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
- Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
- Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
- Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
- Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
- Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
- Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
- Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
- Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
- Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
- Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
- Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
- Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…