Buying, selling and storing high-hazard special purpose explosives

High-hazard special purpose explosives include explosive bolts and cable cutters, rock breaking and power device cartridges, as well as reactive targets. (High-hazard special purpose explosives are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type S.2.)

 

The following guidance is for anyone involved with high-hazard special purpose explosives. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations. For low-hazard explosives, consult Buying, selling and storing low-hazard special purpose explosives.

On this page

• Buying high-hazard special purpose explosives
• Storing high-hazard special purpose explosives
• Selling high-hazard special purpose explosives
• Using reactive targets

Buying high-hazard special purpose explosives

You are permitted to buy and use high-hazard special purpose explosives if you are 18 or older, unless exempted by the Explosives Regulations.

You must have a licence issued under the Firearms Act to buy reactive targets (binary kits/exploding targets).

Storing high-hazard special purpose explosives

Storage requirements for users

Dwelling

High-hazard special purpose explosives (whether for use or for sale) must not be stored in a dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage).

Storage unit

You are permitted to store up to 20 kilograms (including packaging or container) of high-hazard special purpose explosives (excluding reactive targets) in a storage unit. You are permitted to store up to 6 kilograms of reactive targets in a storage unit. The combined total of high-hazard special purpose explosives permitted is 20 kilograms.

The following requirements must be met:

• the storage unit must be located away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
• the interior of the storage unit must be kept clean and dry;
• the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
• the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
• if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
• if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
• any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
• if propellant powder, small arms cartridges, blank cartridges for tools, unmixed reactive targets or black powder cartouches are stored together in the storage unit, they must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
• precautions that minimize the likelihood of an ignition or fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
• a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 cm high and that prohibits smoking using letters, or a symbol, at least 10 cm high must be posted on the storage unit in a clearly visible location.

You are permitted to store more than 20 kilograms of high-hazard special purpose explosives and more than 6 kilograms of reactive targets if you hold an explosives licence. You can apply for an explosives licence through the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS).

Storage requirements for sellers

You must hold an explosives licence to store high-hazard special purpose explosives you plan to sell. You can apply for an explosives licence through the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS).

High-hazard special purpose explosives intended for sale must not be stored in a dwelling or storage unit. They must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence. Sales from a dwelling is not permitted.

You must keep a storage record for high-hazard special purposes explosives that you store. The storage record must be kept for 2 years after the date you made it. The record must include:

• each type of high-hazard explosive that is stored
• the quantity of each type of explosive that is stored
• the date on which each explosive was placed in and removed from the magazine

For information on the safe storing of high-hazard special purpose explosives, consult the following guidelines:

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

Selling high-hazard special purpose explosives

Displaying for sale

High-hazard special purpose explosives must not be displayed for sale.

Record of sale

You must keep a record of every sale of high-hazard special purpose explosives. 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;
• for reactive targets; the number of the licence issued under the Firearms Act of the buyer;
• the product name of each explosive sold and the name of the person who obtained its authorization;
• the quantity of explosives sold under each product name;
• the date of the sale

Maximum sales quantity

You are not permitted to sell more than 20 kilograms of high-hazard special purpose explosives (of which only 6 kilograms can be reactive targets) to an individual unless they hold an explosives licence. You are not permitted to sell an individual more than the quantity listed on their explosives licence.

Selling reactive targets Identification

For reactive targets, you must verify and record the number of the licence issued under the Firearms Act.

Using Reactive Targets

The following requirements must be met when reactive targets are being used:

• the mixing must be carried out at the place where the reactive targets will be used;
• precautions that minimize the likelihood of an ignition must be taken;
• the person mixing the ingredients must hold a Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence issued under the Firearms Act;
• the instructions displayed on the packaging for mixing the ingredients must be followed and if there are no such instructions, the ingredients in the reactive target kit must not be mixed or used;
• foreign matter must not be added to the reactive target kit when mixing the ingredients or before use;
• only one reactive target kit must be mixed at a time; and
• a reactive target kit may not be combined with other reactive target kits or foreign matter; and
• once mixed, a reactive target kit must not be stored or transported.

Consult the following guidelines on safely storing and selling reactive targets:

• G06-05: Guideline for determining the storage compatibility of explosives (PDF, 196 KB)
• G13-02: Guidelines for High-Hazard Special Purpose Explosives (Type S.2) (PDF, 626 kb)

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