Storage questions, page 2

[Eagle66]

In a previous post about Storage Questions, I started out asking about storage for chemicals and compounds in metal containers, but the discussion never answered these questions, instead, concentrated on the subject of magazines.

 

Anyway, for now, magazine storage is not an option for me, for many reasons.
What I need is some help with storage options that are less than ideal.

 

Here’s a big part of my problem. My wife is getting extremely nervous about the chemicals in the basement, what might happen if there is a fire while I’m at work, etc. Of course, she is right, it would not be pretty, to say the least. Strangely enough, she has never been nervous about quantities of smokeless powder and BP for reloading/shooting. Not about solvents for paint stuff, etc., small propane tanks for hand torches and camp stoves, etc. It’s the pyro stuff that does it.

So, to address her concerns and mine, here’s what I have in mind.

 

First, a few cans of BP & smokeless for shooting, stored in cabinets by my reloading bench like I have always done for the past 40+ years without incident.

Second, I have several surplus ammo cans 17-1/2” x 10” x 6”. Store oxidizers in one. Metals & other fuels except sulfur & CC in another. Sulfur in its own can, CC in jars on the shelf. Compounds, stars, fuse, etc. in another. Pyro BP in another. Other stuff like colorants, (example, strontium carbonate), bentonite, etc., in labeled jars on shelves in the basement.

 

All of the cans would go out in the garage/shed. Potential problem (?) No climate control. Hot & humid one day, freezing you’re a** off the next, moderate on others(seldom). Another, BP & compounds in a metal can + heat = bomb.

 

Again, a magazine is not an option for now. Making her less nervous, both of us and the dog a bit safer is the goal until that can be done.

 

Please, I’d really like some help with this. Don't pull any punches, my feelings don't get hurt easily.

 

Sorry about the length of the post.

[rogeryermaw]

i have a small lab at home and have the same concerns...fortunately no longer have a wife to complain but that's another story. what i do is to keep my solid oxidizers in a locked cabinet. in another area i store flammable solids and liquids in a dedicated refrigerator (except the low boiling stuff like ether, acetone, ethyl and diethylamine and the like which i keep in a deep freezer). in each compartment i separate chems as much as possible based on what they will react with.

 

perhaps not the cheapest solution but have you looked into certified flammables cabinets? they cost a pretty penny but are supposed to offer good protection. check this one out:

 

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/storage/flammable-osha-cabinets/flammable/flammable-cabinet-with-manual-close-double-door-45-gallon?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CL2ukNTakMECFaQ7MgodV2AAbg&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Dean411]

Eagle,

 

most raw chems for pyro that arent mixed comps are totally stable and im talking about oxidizerz, colorants, fuels just need to be stored at least 12 feet apart, this doesnt include solid NC which needs to be damp. Mixed comps and stars should never be stored in the house and most magazines are not climate controlled so put them in the shed and come up with a better plan for the future.

 

the climate shouldnt for the most part matter if they are made properly.

 

Dean

[Bobosan]

I had an old deep drawer metal file cabinet that I lined each drawer with fire coded wallboard. The oxidizers go in one drawer, metals in another drawer and depending on quantity, fuels in another drawer. I also try to keep them in original tubs.

[Tabun]

Does anybody know for how long you can store shells?I mean shells with things like D1 gliiter,TT...etc.I know that black powder shouldn't be a problem but how well can stars be stored?