Buying, selling and storing high-power rocket motors

A high-power rocket motor is a recreational rocket motor with an impulse produced by combustion of a solid propellant that exceeds 160 newton-seconds. (High-power rocket motors are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type R.2.) For rocket motors with lower impulse, consult model rocket motors.

Rocket motor accessories are explosive articles used to initiate various types of rocket motors. (Rocket motor accessories are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type R.3.)

The following guidance is for anyone buying, selling and/or storing high-power rocket motors. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations.

Buying high-power rocket motors

You are permitted to buy high-power rocket motors if you are 18 or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Regulations. High-power rocket motors must not have an impulse more than 40,960 newton-seconds.

Rocket motors (including model rocket motors), reloading kits and igniters must be monitored when they are not in storage.

Storing high-power rocket motors

Storage requirements for users

Dwelling

If you plan to use high-power rocket motors, you are permitted to buy and store up to 10 kilograms (excluding packaging or container) of high-power rocket motors and reloading kits combined, as well as 40 igniters, in a dwelling (such as a house or apartment). If you are also storing model rocket motors in the dwelling, 10 kilograms is the maximum combined quantity of all motors and reloading kits.

When the rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters are stored in a dwelling, you must store them away from flammable substances and sources of ignition and protect them from theft. You must ensure that they can only be accessed by people you have authorized.

You must not store a high-power rocket in which a motor has been installed.

Storage unit

You are permitted to buy and store up to 200 kilograms (excluding packaging or container) of high-power rocket motors and reloading kits combined, as well as 200 igniters, in a storage unit. If you are also storing model rocket motors in the storage unit, 200 kilograms is the maximum combined quantity of all motors and reloading kits.

When the rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters are stored in a storage unit, you must meet these requirements.

• The storage unit must be in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition.
• The storage unit must prevent unauthorized access and protect the contents from weather.
• If the storage unit is a container, it must not block exit in case of fire.
• If the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept clear.
• Any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal).
• Only rocket motors (including model rocket motors), reloading kits and igniters are permitted to be stored in the storage unit.
• If the rocket motors (including model rocket motors), reloading kits and igniters are not in consumer packs, the motors and kits must be stored separately from the igniters (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier).
• The storage unit must be monitored when it is unlocked.
• The storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit.
• Any spill, leakage or other contamination must be cleaned up immediately.
• You must take steps to minimize the risk of fire in or near the storage unit.
• You must post a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 centimetres high on the storage unit in a clearly visible location. The sign must also prohibit smoking using letters or a symbol at least 10 centimetres high.

Storage requirements for sellers

You must hold an explosives licence to store high-power rocket motors you plan to sell. High-power rocket motors must not have an impulse more than 40,960 newton-seconds.

High-power rocket motors and igniters intended for sale must not be stored in a dwelling or storage unit. They must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence.

Consult the following guidelines on safely storing high-power rocket motors:

• G06-01: Guidelines for storage of non-industrial explosives (Type R.2) (PDF, 614 KB)
• G06-05: Guideline for determining the storage compatibility of explosives (Type R.2) (PDF, 196 KB)

Selling high-power rocket motors

You must not display high-power rocket motors or reloading kits for sale.

Maximum sales quantity

You are not permitted to sell more high-power rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters than the buyer is authorized to store according to their licence.

For buyers without an explosives licence, you must not sell more high-power rocket motors than the buyer is authorized to store:

• up to 10 kilograms of rocket motors and reloading kits combined, and 40 igniters if the buyer is storing their rocket motors and reloading kits in a dwelling
• up to 200 kilograms of rocket motors and reloading kits combined, and 200 igniters if the buyer is storing their rocket motors and reloading kits in a storage unit

Record of sale

You must keep a record of every sale of a high-power rocket motor, reloading kit or igniter. The record must be kept for 2 years after the sale. The record must include:

• the buyer’s name and address
• in the case of a licensed buyer, the licence number and expiry date
• the type, product name, and power level of each rocket motor and reloading kit sold and the name of the person who obtained its   authorization
• the product name of each igniter sold and the name of the person who obtained its authorization
• the number of motors, kits and igniters sold under each product name
• the date of the sale

Contact us

Explosives Regulatory Division
National Headquarters
588 Booth Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON  K1A 0Y7
Tel.: 1-855-912-0012
Email: ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca