Explosives Rulings

Title Description
ATF Ruling 2023-2 Commercial Records (539 KB)

This ruling authorizes licensed explosives importers, manufacturers and dealers to maintain commercial records instead of a separate record as a permanent record of acquisitions, distributions/dispositions, and use of explosive materials. 

2023-1 - Electronic Explosives Records Ruling (377.95 KB)

ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees to maintain their explosives records electronically instead of in paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

2022-2 - Remote Avalanche Control Devices (236.62 KB)

ATF authorizes Federal explosives licensees and permittees, and State and local government agencies conducting avalanche control/mitigation activities, to store explosives in remote avalanche control systems, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction (68.58 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins (73.14 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met
2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines (97.6 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.
2011-2 - Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines (84.19 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
2010-7 - Perforating Gun Storage (85.14 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines (28.97 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles (20.31 KB)
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
2007-2 - Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks (73.61 KB)
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.
2007-1 - Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form (20.71 KB)
Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.
2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building (16.1 KB)
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway (11.39 KB)
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines (10.82 KB)
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
2003-5 - Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees (49.16 KB)
Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other means within three business days of shipment.  ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.
2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling (85.16 KB)
ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.
2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling (10.72 KB)
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.
1977-24 - Storage Compartments on Vehicles (39.21 KB)
Alternate magazine construction standards for storage of electric blasting caps with other explosive materials are prescribed.
1976-18 - Alternate Bullet-Resistant Construction Standards for Explosives Magazines (20.54 KB)
ATF prescribes alternate bullet resistance construction standards for explosives storage facilities.
1975-31 - Meaning of the Terms "Engaged in the Business" (12.37 KB)
Explosives manufacturer license required for certain companies that manufacture explosive materials for use in their own operations.
1975-21 - Construction of Storage Facilities by the Department of Defense - Concrete Floors (13.74 KB)
Certain explosives storage facilities meeting standards of construction prescribed by the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board are approved
1975-20 - Meaning of Terms "Inhabited Building" (14.65 KB)
An office or repair shop used in connection with the manufacture, etc., of explosive materials are not "inhabited buildings."
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