A
Message from the Chief, Arson & Explosives
Programs Division
SECURITY
REMINDER
In
the aftermath or terrorist attacks, ATF would
like to take this opportunity to once again
remind all members of the explosives industry
of the vital importance of employing security
safeguards over explosives materials. Whether
the explosive materials are in the process of
manufacture, in storage, or in use, we urge
everyone to use all necessary measures to
safeguard the explosive materials and prevent
them from falling into the hands of those who
would use them in criminal or terrorist
applications. In past advisories to the
explosives industry, ATF has requested that
any suspicious behavior or unusual activity be
called to the attention of ATF and local law
enforcement authorities. In addition to
reporting suspicious activity, having
proper security in place requires preparing
and then implementing a security plan. We urge
each member of the explosives industry to
adopt a security program. ATF suggests that if
you are already using a security plan,
evaluate your security plan and ensure that it
provides safeguards and an action plan in the
event of an emergency situation. At a minimum,
we recommend that the following steps be
included in your security program.
- Implement
a security team, designating persons who
will have oversight over security issues
within the company, and who would notify
ATF and other proper authorities in the
event of an emergency or other unusual or
suspicious activity.
- Provide
the security team with the names and phone
numbers of local ATF offices as well as
emergency providers and local law
enforcement. It is essential for the
security team to know what steps to take
in the event of an emergency or unusual
situation and whom to contact.
- Establish
and maintain contact with law enforcement
to ensure that vital information such as
locations of storage magazines, especially
in remote areas, and phone numbers to call
in the event of an emergency or unusual
activity are kept current.
- Information
on where explosives are stored should be
limited to law enforcement or those with a
need to know, such as local fire
authorities or other emergency providers.
- Restrict
access to production or storage facilities
to those persons who have a need for such
access. Provide proper security to
magazine keys, and restrict availability
of the keys to appropriate personnel.
- Maintain
and update your record keeping system for
explosive materials so that all explosive
materials can readily and accurately be
accounted for.
We
urge all members of the explosives industry to
take these vital security and safeguard steps
in order to better protect the American public
from acts of violence by the misuse of
explosive materials by criminals or
terrorists.
DAY
BOXES
The
Federal explosive regulations require
explosive materials to be kept in a locked
magazine unless the explosive materials fall
into certain criteria. This would include
explosives that are:
- In
the process of manufacture;
- Being
physically handled in the operating
process of a licensee or user;
- Being
used; or
- Being
transported to a place of storage or use
by a licensee or permittee or by a person
who has lawfully acquired explosive
materials.
The
explosive regulations also allow for the
temporary storage of high explosives in a type
3 magazine, also known as a "day
box" at a job site. A type 3 magazine
must be fire-resistant, weather-resistant, and
theft-resistant. It must be constructed of not
less than number 12-gauge (0.1046 inches)
steel, lined with either 1/2-inch plywood or
1/2-inch masonite-type hardboard. Doors or
lids must overlap the sides by at least one
inch, and hinges and hasps are to be attached
by welding, riveting or bolting with the nuts
on the inside. A day box requires only a
single steel padlock (not protected by a steel
hood) having at least five tumblers and a
case-hardened shackle at least 3/8-inch in
diameter. High explosives must not be left
unattended in type 3 magazines and they must
be removed to type 1 or 2 magazines for any
unattended storage.
Further
questions on the use of a day box should be
referred to the Explosives Industry Programs
Branch.
INDOOR
STORAGE MAGAZINE LOCKING REQUIREMENTS
Questions
have been asked on the locking requirements
for indoor magazines. The Federal explosives
regulations regarding storage magazines
require that the door or other opening(s) on
all explosives storage magazines to be
equipped with two locks. These may either be
two padlocks covered by hoods, two mortise
locks, a combination of a hooded padlock and a
mortise lock, or a mortise lock that requires
two keys to open. Alternatively, magazine
doors or other entry equipped with a
three-point lock meet the requirements of the
storage regulations.
However,
indoor type 2, type 4, or type 5 magazines
need only be secured with one steel padlock
having at least five tumblers and a
case-hardened shackle of at least 3/8 inch
diameter, without a hood, if the door hinges
and lock hasp are securely fastened to the
magazine, and if they are located in rooms for
which the doorway(s) or other entry are
secured by the same type of locking system
required for a magazine; that is, two hooded
padlocks, tow mortise locks, a combination of
a hooded padlock and a mortise lock, a mortise
lock that requires two keys to open, or a
three point lock.
Please
note that the limitation of not more than 50
pounds of explosive materials stored indoors
applies to all indoor magazines. In addition,
indoor magazines are not permitted in any
residence or dwelling.
WARNING
-- Theft of Explosives Is a Federal Crime.
Report Thefts of Losses Immediately to
1-888-ATF-2662
Courtesy
of ATF Explosives Industry Newsletter (June
2004)
!!
IMPORTANT ATF INFORMATION PLEASE READ !!
