Licence to Store Explosives
Licence Summary
With certain exceptions, an authorisation is required for the acquisition, keeping, transfer, storage and/or manufacture of explosives. Licences can be granted by either, Local Authorities, Police, HSE or ONR, depending on:
- whether the activity is manufacture or storage
- whether an explosives certificate from the police is needed to acquire and keep explosives
- the quantity of explosives
- whether or not the separation distances can be met
Detail of who you need to apply to for a licence can be found on the HSE Website (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
The Comhairle licence premises in which fireworks and other similar explosives (such as Marine distress pyrotechnics) are stored. You can generally store up to 2,000kg of explosives with a licence issued by us, although there are some conditions relating to its storage.
We will need to know the hazard type and quantity of the explosives you wish to store to determine whether your store is suitable.
The quantity you will be allowed to store will depend on the hazard type of the explosives.
Please contact your supplier if you are uncertain about the hazard types of explosive you wish to store.
Categorisation of Fireworks (») (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Category F1: fireworks which present a very low hazard and negligible noise level, and which are intended for use in confined areas, including fireworks which are intended for use inside domestic buildings (i.e. indoor fireworks).
Category F2: fireworks which present a low hazard and low noise level, and which are intended for outdoor use in confined areas (i.e. garden fireworks).
Category F3: fireworks which present a medium hazard, which are intended for outdoor use in large open areas and whose noise level is not harmful to human health (i.e. display fireworks for open areas such as fields).
Category F4: fireworks which present a high hazard, which are intended for use only by persons with specialist knowledge and whose noise level is not harmful to human health (i.e. professional fireworks for large open spaces).
Fireworks can only be sold to the public if Category F1 to F3 and where the firework noise level does not exceed 120 dB(A).
Net Explosive Content
All storage quantities relate to the Net Explosive Content, or NEC of the firework. This is not the same as the firework’s gross weight (e.g. a firework may weigh 5kg but the actual NEC may only be 0.5kg).
Hazard Type of Firework
For the purposes of storage the Explosives Regulations 2014 (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) determines the amount of fireworks which can be stored together and under what conditions. Fireworks are given a “Hazard Type” depending on the hazard they pose. Consumer fireworks typically fall under Hazard Type 4 (HT4) or Hazard Type 3 (HT3).
HT4 fireworks are the common “consumer” class of firework, while HT3 have a higher explosive capacity and may be described as small display fireworks.
If a mix of HT3 and HT4 is stored the combined amount will be classed as HT3 for the purpose of determining separation distances. (Separation Distances (Opens in a new window or downloads a file))
We would advise that all applicants storing fireworks in retail premises limit themselves to HT4 fireworks. Storing HT3 devices is likely to cause significant problems for retailers as a very small NEC will require the store to be separated by a potentially large distance from other buildings, paths, roads etc. If a mix of HT3 and HT4 is stored the combined amount will be classed as HT3 for the purpose of determining separation distances. If separation distances do apply to an application, the cost of the licence is increased.
You will not normally be required to maintain separation distances if you store no more than:
- 250kg hazard type 4 (75kg if there is domestic premises adjacent to the store)
- 25kg hazard type 3 (or combination of hazard type 3 & hazard type 4)
If you require further information please Contact Us.
How do you obtain a licence?
To apply to store explosives you can download an application form below. The completed form can be returned to these Contact Addresses along with the statutory fee. The various fees are available on our Fees and Charges page.
When Can You Sell fireworks? (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Unless you have applied to your local authority, paid the fee of £500 (Opens in a new window or downloads a file), and been granted an all-year licence, then you can only supply fireworks:
- from 15 October to 10 November
- from 26 to 31 December
- on the first day of the Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceding this
- on the first day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding this
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it.
Contact
If you require further information please Contact Us.