Explosives – license a building to store

You must apply for a licence if you store:

• between 30kg and 2,000kg of explosives if this includes hazard type 1 and 2 explosives
• between 100kg and 2,000kg of hazard type 3 explosives
• between 100kg and 2,000kg of combination of hazard type 3 and hazard type 4 explosives
• between 250kg and 2,000kg of hazard type 4 explosives or 250kg and 2,000kg of small arms ammunition and percussion caps and 30kg and 2,000kg of shooters’ powder.

There are four hazard types of explosives – 1 is the most hazardous and 4 is the least hazardous. The majority of retail fireworks are classed as hazard type 4. The hazard type of an explosive will be listed on manufacturer's or supplier's information.

All weights refer to the net explosive quantity rather than gross weight. That is the actual weight of the explosives without the weight of packaging.

Am I making a renewal or a new application?

• If you already hold a licence to store explosives, then you should apply for a renewal.
• If this is your first application to store explosives, then this is a new application.

Fees

• New licence £170
• Renewal of licence £80

Before applying, please ensure that you read the guidance notes at the bottom of the application form first.

Guidance notes

• Information for traders about explosives and fireworks (Acrobat format – 52k)

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