Buying, selling and storing model rocket motors

A model rocket motor is a recreational rocket motor with an impulse produced by combustion of a solid propellant up to 160 newton-seconds. (Model rocket motors are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type R.1.) If the impulse exceeds 160 newton-seconds, the motor is a high-power rocket motor.

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 model rocket motors. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations.

Buying model rocket motors

You are permitted to buy model rocket motors unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Regulations.

If you are at least 12 years old, you can buy and use single-use rocket motors with an impulse that does not exceed 80 newton-seconds. You can also have and use ignitors for those motors.

If you are 18 or older, you can buy and use rocket motors with an impulse exceeding 80 newton-seconds.

Model rocket motors, reloading kits and igniters must be monitored when they are not in storage.

Storing model rocket motors

Storage requirements for users

Dwelling

If you plan to use model rocket motors and are at least 12 years old, you can buy and store up to 6 single-use rocket motors with an impulse that does not exceed 80 newton-seconds in a dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage). You can also buy and store up to 10 ignitors in a dwelling.

If you plan to use model rocket motors and are 18 or older, you are permitted to buy and store up to 200 kilograms (excluding packaging or container) of model rocket motors and reloading kits combined, as well as 2500 igniters, in a dwelling.

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.

Storage unit

If you are at least 12 years old, you can store up to 6 single-use rocket motors with an impulse that does not exceed 80 newton-seconds in a storage unit. You can also buy and store up to 10 ignitors in a storage unit.

If you are 18 or older, you are permitted to buy and store up to 200 kilograms (excluding packaging or container) of model rocket motors and reloading kits combined, as well as 2500 igniters, in a storage unit.

You are permitted to own and store more than 200 kilograms of model rocket motors and 2500 igniters if you hold an explosives licence.

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, reloading kits and igniters are permitted to be stored in the storage unit.
• If the 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 model rocket motors you plan to sell.

Model rocket motors intended for sale must not be stored in a dwelling or storage unit. They must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence.

Dwelling

If your sales establishment is a dwelling, you must store rocket motors, reloading kits or igniters 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.

If the sales establishment is not a dwelling, you are permitted to display up to 25 kg of rocket motors and reloading kits combined, and up to 300 igniters for sale. These must be kept behind the sales counter or locked up unless they are in proper consumer packs.

If these products are not in proper consumer packs and are displayed for sale, rocket motors and reloading kits must be separated by a fire break (or a minimum of 1 metre) from igniters.

Consult the following guidelines on safely storing model rocket motors:

• G06-01: Guidelines for storage of non-industrial explosives (Type R.1) (PDF, 614 KB)
• G06-05: Guideline for determining the storage compatibility of explosives (Type R.1) (PDF, 196 KB)

Selling model rocket motors

Maximum sales quantity

You are not permitted to sell more model 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 model rocket motors than the buyer is authorized to store:

• up to 200 kg of rocket motors and reloading kits combined, and 500 igniters
• if high-power rocket motors or reloading kits are stored with model rocket motors, a combined mass of up to 200 kilograms
• if igniters for high-power rocket motors are stored with igniters for model rocket motors, a combined quantity of up to 2500 kilograms

Record of sale

You must keep a record of every sale of a model 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