Rocketry Planet

WORLD WIDE WEB — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives recognized the storage issue of igniters no longer needing to be kept in separate storage from regulated rocket motors in their most recent newsletter, although the timeliness of the publication catches hobby rocketry enthusiasts at a time when the application of the issue is moot for the majority of fliers.

In the June 2009 ATF Explosives Industry Newsletter published by the agency, the situation is discussed on page 8 of the publication:

Igniter Storage with Regulated Rocket Motors in Attached Garages

For several years, ATF has issued storage variances to rocketry enthusiasts. A typical variance allows for storage of regulated rocket motors in a qualified magazine kept in a garage attached to a residence, provided that the storage meets certain conditions.

Many of the variances issued contained a requirement that regulated rocket motors be stored separately from igniters.

This provision was based upon a belief that safety would be enhanced by separation of these materials. Further research and discussion of this issue has led us to the conclusion that storage of igniters with rocket motors does not significantly increase the risk of the ignition of the rocket motors. Therefore, variances now being issued for regulated rocket motor storage in an attached garage do not contain this separation requirement.

Any licensee or permittee holding such a variance that includes the requirement that igniters be separated from stored propellant, should contact ATF to request an amended variance containing provisions consistent with those currently being issued to industry members. To request an amended variance, write to the Explosives Industry Programs Branch (EIPB) via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , or by letter addressed to:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives
Chief, Explosives Industry Programs Branch
99 New York Avenue NE
Mail Stop 6E403
Washington, DC 20226

In your letter, you should list your ATF license or permit number, and include a current mailing address. Please include the date of your original approval letter, if available, and note that you are requesting an updated variance approval for storing your regulated rocket motors in your attached garage. Please direct any questions on this process to EIPB at 202-648-7120 or via email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

Since the court order by U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton in March vacated ammonium perchlorate composite propellant's (APCP) status as an item regulated by ATF, most hobby enthusiasts find themselves no longer needing a federal low explosives permit and the associated storage magazine that goes with it. That decision doesn't eliminate the need for a federal permit allowing hobbyists to purchase, store and use other regulated items, such as black powder and electric matches.

Those with variances who are electing to keep their explosives permits should follow the instructions to have their variance amended. 

Attachment: ATF Explosives Industry Newsletter, June 2009 (1,721KB Adobe PDF)

Reader comments:

#1 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

Quote:

Read the full article.

Did we really gain anything? A person still needs to have an LEUP for the PB and ignitors!!!

Green Arrow on 06-16-2009 05:43 PM

#2 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

There are (for the moment, anyway) exempt alternatives to BP and commercially made igniters.

SCE to AUX on 06-16-2009 10:59 PM

#3 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

And exempt ways to get them within model rocketry.

Just Jerry on 06-16-2009 11:01 PM

#4 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

FWIW I just received a requested amendment to my attached garage variance that removes the requirement for a separate magazine for igniter storage.

alexm on 06-17-2009 11:00 AM

#5 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

Quote:

FWIW I just received a requested amendment to my attached garage variance that removes the requirement for a separate magazine for igniter storage.

Alex,

Does it say anything about no longer needing to lock up your APCP?

Doug

.

plano_doug on 06-17-2009 11:15 AM

#6 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

Quote:

There are (for the moment, anyway) exempt alternatives to BP and commercially made igniters.

Only if you use Rouses CO2...... Commercial ignitors like first fire don't need to be locked up? Only magnelites, etc after they are made?

Green Arrow on 06-17-2009 11:22 AM

#7 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

IANAL, but from what I can tell, Pyrodex and the other "black powder substitutes" are (currently) unregulated, and there is no "firearms use only" restriction on their use. With a little added confinement, they should be able to replace BP for ejection charges. And as you mentioned, the CO2 ejection systems are another alternative.

As far as ematches go, Quest has recently started selling their "Q2G2" model rocket igniters, which have a very low firing current requirement and seem to work fine with altimeters. Solder longer leadwires onto them, and they should be able to replace regulated ematches for firing Pyrodex ejection charges. Yes, they are called "igniters", but like the Estes "igniters" (that according to the BATFE are not actually igniters), they are sold without a LEUP requirement.

For actual HPR motor igniters, nichrome wire (or maybe one of the Q2G2s), one of the "dip your own" pyrogen kits and maybe a small sliver of Blue Thunder or similar easily lit APCP, and you can make your own on-site. Or just use the ones that come with the reload kit.

SCE to AUX on 06-17-2009 12:02 PM

#8 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

Quote:

Estes "igniters" (that according to the BATFE are not actually igniters)

Isn't governmental logic interesting?

ddmobley on 06-17-2009 12:25 PM

#9 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

I'm looking forward to the day when the BATFE becomes the BATFEB (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives and Bowling). I need some guidance as to how and where to store my balls.

tmacklin on 06-17-2009 12:36 PM

#10 Re: Article: ATF acknowledges consolidated igniter storage issue

Quote:

As far as ematches go, Quest has recently started selling their "Q2G2" model rocket igniters, which have a very low firing current requirement and seem to work fine with altimeters. Solder longer leadwires onto them, and they should be able to replace regulated ematches for firing Pyrodex ejection charges. Yes, they are called "igniters", but like the Estes "igniters" (that according to the BATFE are not actually igniters), they are sold without a LEUP requirement.

You can also use ejection canisters like those found at QuickBurst, Newtons3rd and Pratt Hobbies. I normally use the ones from Newtons3rd with pyrodex and they work with my ARTS2 (in single battery mode), MAWD and HiAlt45K.

-Aaron

heada on 06-17-2009 12:54 PM

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