Explosives Publications

What's In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll, Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services, Retires; 2009 Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) Spring Meeting; 2010 International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) Conference; Type-1 Igloo or “Army-type Structure” Explosives Magazines; Day Boxes; Table of Distances and Barricades; Recording Explosive Materials ”Used”; Inspection Violations; Black Powder Blanks; Deteriorated Explosives; U.S. Department of Defense Exemption Application to Contractors; Storage of Exempt Explosive Materials in Magazines; Notice of Errata; Orange Book Errata; Licensee/Permittee Population

Published/Revised: December 31, 2009

The purpose of this letter is to provide Federal explosives licensees and permittees with information about the recent district court decision regarding ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP). 

Published/Revised: July 17, 2009

What's In This Issue: New Chief of Explosives Industry Programs; New Web Pages; Fireworks Safety and Storage; Illegal Explosives; Fireworks Recordkeeping Variance; Updated Fireworks Q & As; Simplified License and Permit Structure; Change of Control; Scanned or E-Mailed Licenses; Igniter Storage with Rocket Motors in Attached Garages; Locking Issues; Bullet Resistance for Type-2 Indoor Storage; Detonator Boxes; Explosives Thefts

Published/Revised: June 30, 2009

This advisory is a security checklist of best practices for all Federal explosives licensees and permittees.

Published/Revised: February 24, 2009

What's In This Issue: Carson W. Carroll Named Assistant Director (Enforcement Programs and Services); Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; New Headquarters Building; Two New Field Divisions; New “Orange Book”; Storage Rulings; Fireworks Recordkeeping and Marks of Identification; Information Resources; Variance Request Guidelines; Determination Request Guidelines; Exemption Request Guidelines; Who Should Complete a Theft or Loss Report?; 2007 Explosives Thefts

Published/Revised: September 30, 2008

This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2008

Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.

Published/Revised: January 18, 2007

What's In This Issue: Changes Within the Office of Enforcement Programs Services; Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; Explosives Industry Programs Branch (EIPB) Is Now on the Web!; You’ve Got EIPB-Mail!; ATF’s Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Changes in ATF Regulation27 CFR 555.55; Submission of Employee Possessor Questionnaires; New Requirements for Identification Markings on Explosives Materials; Definition of “Highways” as Defined in 27 CFR 555.11 and Guidance on Different “Private Roads”; Construction and Recordkeeping: Storage Bins for Blasting Agents; Variances for Continuing Authority Concerning Preloading of Trucks for Temporary Storage of Fireworks for Shows; REMINDER: Licensees and Permittees are Required to Maintain Records

Published/Revised: December 31, 2005

ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.

Published/Revised: November 25, 2005

ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.

Published/Revised: September 8, 2005

What's In This Issue: Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; Director's Speech at the ISEE National Conference; New Federal Explosives Licensing Center; Reporting Changes in Responsible Persons and Employees Authorized to Possess Explosive Materials; Reporting Procedures for Explosives Transactions; Storage of More Than 300,000 Pounds of Explosives; ATF Inspections

Published/Revised: June 30, 2005

What's In This Issue: A Message from the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; New Director, Deputy Director of ATF Announced; Lewis P. Raden Named Assistant Director; Changes in the Arson and Explosives Programs Division; Volatile Organic Compounds; Day Boxes; Manufacture of Binary Explosives; Indoor Storage Magazine Locking Requirements; ATF Attends Conferences; Thefts and Loss Reporting Requirements; New Annual List of Explosives Published; Theft of Explosives as Reported to ATF

Published/Revised: June 30, 2004

ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.

Published/Revised: June 5, 2004

What's In This Issue: Changes in the Public Safety Branch; New Chief of the National Licensing Center; Requirements for Distraction Devices; ATF Meets With Mining Industry and ISEE; Limited Permit Procedures Detailed; Sales of Explosives Away From the Licensed Premises; Changes at the National Licensing Center; Theft of Explosives as Reported to ATF; Reporting Changes in Responsible Persons and Employee Possessors

Published/Revised: December 31, 2004

The purpose of this open letter is to remind federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.

Published/Revised: June 27, 2003

What's In This Issue: Safe Explosives Act of 2002 - Key Provisions Outlined; Application for Restoration of Explosives Privileges; Changes Within ATF Resulting From the Signing of the Homeland Security Bill; Frequently Asked Questions; The New Federal Explosives License and Permit Application - Explosive Applications and Renewals

Published/Revised: May 31, 2003

Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, email, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.

Published/Revised: May 23, 2003

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on Jan. 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: May 16, 2003

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; ATF Hosts Explosives Industry Executive Meeting; Variances; EPA and the Toxic Substances Control Act; New Industry Circulars; International Explosives Assistance & Coordination; Fugitive Corner

Published/Revised: November 30, 2002

This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to provide you information on the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (the Act), which was enacted on Nov. 25, 2002.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with state and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

What's In This Issue: A Message From the Chief, Arson & Explosives Programs Division; Changes in the A&E Division; Violent Offender Branch Gets New Chief; Bulk Salutes and Licensing; Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) Restrictions; Phone Number for National Licensing Center Changed; ATF's Lab New First Response Field Lab Vehicles; ATF Meets With ISEE, APA; Explosives Forms; Explosives Questions; Fugitive Corner; First Quarter 2002 Explosive Thefts

Published/Revised: May 31, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.

Published/Revised: May 21, 2002