Explosives Publications

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), has regulatory and civil enforcement authority over the transportation of explosive materials in commerce.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

This publication provides the location for the Federal explosive regulations that require outdoor explosives storage magazines to be located.

Published/Revised: June 14, 2021

This user manual is to be used by federal firearms licensees who have downloaded ATF's e4473 form. Last updated Dec. 2, 2020.

Published/Revised: December 2, 2020

This presentation defines an Employee Possessor and provides the procedures for reporting Employee Possessors to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the clearance process, and at what point an employee may possess explosives.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This presentation provides an overview of the Federal Explosives Licensing Center’s (FELC) responsibilities for reviewing and processing all new applications for federal explosives licenses and/or permits as well as renewals, the background check process, and ensuring sufficiency of information received.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This presentation provides an overview of Type 3 magazine construction, reporting requirements and use intended for temporary attended storage on a worksite. 

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This presentation provides a history of the implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, the intention of the legislation and the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to regulate the storage of explosives, above ground or underground. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with ATF, the Mine Safety and Health Administration will inspect underground explosives storage sites for compliance with 27 CFR part 555, subpart K, Storage and will cite for any violations.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This presentation on fireworks provides an overview of the classification of explosive materials and exemptions under Part 555. The presentation also addresses storage, identifying appropriate Tables of Distances and determining if a variance to deviate from the regulations might be needed.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This presentation details the process for requesting a variance for deviating from the explosives regulations through use of a quantitative risk assessment software tool known as "Institute of Makers of Explosives Safety Analysis for Risk." The software tool is designed, in part, to evaluate the risks of a fatality from an accident involving stored explosives.

Published/Revised: September 30, 2020

This publication provides information on magazine explosives classes and storage requirements.

Published/Revised: July 20, 2020

The Annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews explosives-related incidents from data reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS).

Published/Revised: April 17, 2020

Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.

Published/Revised: December 31, 2020

With the recent upsurge of terrorism in the world and particularly threats of terrorist activity in the United States, it is timely to again stress the importance of security for explosives.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and others concerned:  On Dec. 29, 1975, a bomb-blast ripped through New York's LaGuardia airport, killing 11 persons and injuring some 15 others. This tragic incident is but the latest in an alarming upward spiral of bombings that have occurred in cities, suburban communities, small towns and rural areas across America in recent years.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is to inform those involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage or use of explosives that ATF Ruling77-13, which deals with reporting theft or loss of explosive materials, was published in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bulletin for May 1977.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives Control to be held at the Fountain Bay Hotel, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept. 25-27, 1979.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular is issued to inform you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has scheduled a National Conference on Explosives to be held at the Bahia Hotel, in San Diego, California, May 19-21, 1981.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members of serious problems with storage of explosives which may pose a danger to the public, and to alert industry members to the possibility of theft of explosives by terrorists because of the deteriorating Mideast situation.

Published/Revised: December 11, 2019

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Published/Revised: November 4, 2019

Also known as the "Orange Book," this documentation provides federal explosives law and regulations and reflects changes and developments in response to the Safe Explosives Act of 2002.

Published/Revised: August 7, 2019

2017 - Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised: June 6, 2018

2016 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised: June 14, 2017

Notice of List of Explosive Materials.  Removes ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP)

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. One addition: Black powder substitutes

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016

Notice of List of Explosive Materials. Two additions: Tetrazole explosives, and Ammonium perchlorate having particle size less than 15 microns.

Published/Revised: October 12, 2016