EXPLOSIVES ACT 1875

Parts I , II and III

Section 5: (proviso (1))

Maximum amount of gunpowder to which the section does not apply, if kept for private use and not for sale

thirty pounds

15 kilograms

Section 7

Area for service of notice on local and harbour authorities

one mile

1.6 kilometres

Section 16(3)

Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in certain stores

two tons

2,000 kilograms

Section 17: General Rule No. (5)

Amount of gunpowder below which stores need not have a lightning conductor

one thousand pounds

500 kilograms

Section 22: General Rule No. (2)(a)

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in certain registered premises

two hundred pounds

100 kilograms

Section 22: General Rule No. (2)(b)

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in other registered premises—

fifty pounds

25 kilograms

but if in fire-proof safe

one hundred pounds

50 kilograms

Section 22: General Rule No. (5)

Amount above which gunpowder shall be kept in a substantial receptacle

one pound

500 grams

Section 24

Designated area deemed to be part of a building

twenty yards

20 metres

Additional quantity of gunpowder allowed in a factory under certain conditions

ten hundred weight

500 kilograms

Section 32

Amount above which gunpowder shall be sold in a substantial receptacle

one pound

500 grams

Section 46: regulation (1)

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room

five pounds

2 kilograms

Section 47: regulation (1)

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in certain workshops

one hundred pounds

50 kilograms

Section 48: paragraph (a)

Maximum amount of explosive allowed in small firework factory

one hundred pounds

50 kilograms

Section 48: paragraph (b)

Maximum amount of manufactured fireworks allowed in small firework factory

five hundred pounds

250 kilograms

Section 48: paragraph (c)

Maximum amount of coloured fires or stars allowed in small firework factory

twenty-five pounds

12 kilograms

Section 63

Amount of gunpowder above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases

half a ton

500 kilograms

First Schedule: Part One

Regulation (1)

Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed under mill stones in certain circumstances at one time

fifty pounds

25 kilograms

sixty pounds

30 kilograms

Regulation (2)

Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to under press at one time

ten hundred weight

500 kilograms

Regulation (3)

Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to be granulated at one time

twelve hundred weight

600 kilograms

Regulation (4)

Maximum quantity of gunpowder allowed to be dried at one time

fifty hundred weight

2,500 kilograms

Regulation (5)

Minimum distance between press houses etc. and expense magazines

forty yards

35 metres

Regulation (6)

Minimum distance between mill and factory magazine

one hundred and forty yards

125 metres

Regulation (7)

Minimum distance for charcoal from a mill, press or magazine

20 yards

20 metres

First Schedule : Part Two

Regulation (2)

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in a well constructed store

four thousand pounds

2,000 kilograms

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in other stores

three hundred pounds

150 kilograms

Regulation (3)

Amount of gunpowder in certain stores

three hundred pounds

150 kilograms

Distance within which store shall be from mine, quarry, etc.

two hundred yards

180 metres

Minimum distance from house of store

two hundred yards

180 metres

Regulation (5)

Amount of gunpowder in certain stores

three hundred pounds

150 kilograms

Distance within which store shall be from mine, quarry etc.

two hundred yards

180 metres

Minimum distance from house of store

two hundred yards

180 metres

Regulation (6)

Minimum distance from the City of London or Westminster of store

three miles

5 kilometres

Minimum distance from borough or market town of store

one mile

1.6 kilometres

Minimum distance from Royal residence of store

two miles

3 kilometres

Minimum distance from Crown magazine of store

two miles

3 kilometres

Minimum distance from parish church of store

half a mile

800 metres

Order in Council (No. 1) Classifying Explosives6

Class 7 (proviso)

Maximum quantity of coloured fire composition in deemed

one pound

500 grams

Order in Council (No. 3) relating to Magazines for Explosives other than Gunpowder, whether with or without Gunpowder7

Part II

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room (all references)

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in cartridge filling room

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Part III

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in workshop (all references)

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in workshop

100 lbs.8

50 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 4) relating to Small Firework Factories9

Part II

Preamble: paragraph 3

Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in stores

two tons

2,000 kilograms

Article 4

Minimum distance of danger building from other buildings

25 yards

25 metres

Provisos to Article 4

Reduced distance for screened and protected building

12 yards

12 metres

Exception for certain magazines

25 yards

25 metres

Article 6

Distance, greater than which, a factory of Division A shall be from—

works of Class 1

25 yards

25 metres

works of Class 2

50 yards

50 metres

works of Class 3

¼ mile

400 metres

Royal residences

½ mile

800 metres

Distance, greater than which, a factory of Division B shall be from—

works of Class 1

50 yards

50 metres

works of Class 2

100 yards

100 metres

works of Class 3

½ mile

800 metres

Royal residences

1 mile

1.6 kilometres

Article 7

Maximum quantities in a factory of Division A of—

explosives

50 lbs.

25 kilograms

coloured fires or stars

25 lbs.

12 kilograms

manufactured fireworks

150 lbs.

75 kilograms

Maximum quantities in a factory of Division B of—

explosives

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

coloured fires or stars

25 lbs.

12 kilograms

manufactured fireworks

500 lbs.

250 kilograms

Part III

General Rule No. 6

Minimum distance between fire and danger building

25 yards

25 metres

Reduced distance for screened and protected building

12 yards

12 metres

General Rule No. 20

Maximum quantities in a danger building of—

explosives

25 lbs.

12 kilograms

manufactured fireworks

50 lbs.

25 kilograms

manufactured fireworks during packing

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 6) relating to Stores Licensed for Mixed Explosives 10

Part I

Preamble: paragraph 3

Maximum amount of gunpowder to be kept in stores

two tons

2,000 kilograms

Article 3(2)(a)

Distance in excess of which store of Division A shall be from—

works of Class 1

75 feet

23 metres

works of Class 2

85 feet

26 metres

Article 3(2)(b)

Distance in excess of which store of Division B shall be from—

works of Class 1

75 feet

23 metres

works of Class 2

130 feet

40 metres

Article 3(2)(c)

Distance in excess of which store of Division C shall be from—

works of Class 1

146 feet

45 metres

works of Class 2

292 feet

89 metres

Article 3(2)(d)

Distance in excess of which store of Division D shall be from—

works of Class 1

230 feet

70 metres

works of Class 2

460 feet

140 metres

Article 3(2)(e)

Distance in excess of which store of Division E shall be from—

works of Class 1

352 feet

110 metres

works of Class 2

704 feet

215 metres

Proviso (i) to Article 3(2)

Exempted workshops not regarded as protected works—

maximum quantity of explosive

100 lb.

50 kilograms

distance in excess of which the workshop is from store etc.

75 feet

23 metres

Proviso (ii) to Article 3(2)

Railways not regarded as protected works—

minimum distance from store

75 feet

23 metres

distance within which locomotive is from store

150 feet

46 metres

Proviso (iii) to Article 3(2)

Minimum thickness of earth mound screening store

3 feet

1 metres

Article 3(4)

Maximum quantity permitted in Division A store—

(a) general explosive

150 lb.

75 kilograms

(b) certain ammunition

700 lb.

320 kilograms

Article 3(5)

Maximum quantity permitted in Division B store—

(a) general explosive

300 lb.

150 kilograms

(b) certain ammunition

4,000 lb.

1,800 kilograms

Article 3(6)

Maximum quantity permitted in Division C store—

(a) general explosive

1,000 lb.

450 kilograms

(b) certain ammunition

20,000 lb.

9,000 kilograms

Article 3(7)

Maximum quantity permitted in Division D store—

(a) general explosive

2,000 lb.

900 kilograms

(b) certain ammunition

20,000 lb.

9,000 kilograms

Article 3(8)

Maximum quantity permitted in Division E store—

(a) general explosive

4,000 lb.

1,800 kilograms

(b) certain ammunition

20,000 lb.

9,000 kilograms

Article 3(9)

Ratio of reduction in quantity of general explosive to

pound

kilogram

permitted additional quantity of fireworks

4 lb.

4 kilograms

Article 5

Distance between store and workshop

75 feet11

25 metres

Part III

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in cartridge filling room (all references)

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in cartridge filling room

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Part IV

Maximum amount of gunpowder allowed in workshop (all references)

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Maximum amount of other explosive allowed in workshop

100 lb.12

50 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 9) relating to the Sale of Explosive13

Preamble

Amount above which gunpowder must be sold in a substantial receptacle

1 lb.

500 grams

Article 1

Maximum amount of other explosive which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle

1 lb.

500 grams

Proviso (a) to Article 1

Maximum amount of gunpowder etc. in an amount of explosive of Class 6 Division 1 which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Proviso (b) to Article 1

Maximum amount of explosive of Class 7 Division 2 which may be sold if not in a substantial receptacle

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 11) respecting Notice to be given of Accidents connected with the Conveyance of Explosives other than Gunpowder14

Amount of gunpowder above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases

half a ton

500 kilograms

Amount of other explosive above which a related accident is notifiable in certain cases

200 lbs.

100 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 12 to replace No. 8) relating to the Keeping of Explosive for Private Use and not for Sale15

Preamble

Maximum amount of gunpowder for private use

30 lbs.

15 kilograms

Article (2)(a)

Maximum amount of gunpowder in small arms cartridges to which exception applies

five pounds

2 kilograms

Article (2)(c)

Maximum amount of fireworks to which exception applies in certain cases

five pounds

2 kilograms

Article (3)(a)

Maximum amount of explosive which may be specified in certificate

ten pounds

5 kilograms

Schedule

Maximum amount of explosive specified in certificate

ten pounds

5 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 16) repealing and consolidating the previous Orders relating to Premises registered for Mixed Explosives16

Part I

General Rule No. 2(5)

Amount above which certain explosives must be kept in closed bag or case

1 lb.

500 grams

Amount of certain explosives above which packages may not be opened on registered premises

1 lb.

500 grams

Maximum amount of certain explosives which a package opened for immediate use may contain

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Part IV

Maximum amount of gunpowder in cartridge filling room (all references)

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Maximum amount of small-arm nitro-compound in cartridge filling room

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 16A) varying the Order in Council (No. 16) of October 26 1896, relating to Premises registered for Mixed Explosives 17

Preamble

Maximum quantity of fireworks, Mode A

200 lbs.

100 kilograms

Maximum quantity of fireworks, Mode B

50 lbs.

25 kilograms

Article 1

Maximum weight for “Shop Goods” Mines, Jack-in-the-boxes and Feu de Joie

2 lbs.

1 kilogram

Maximum weight for “Shop Goods” Maroons

4 ozs.

100 grams

Maximum length for “Shop Goods” Chinese Crackers

4 inches

100 millimetres

Article 2

Ratio of “Shop Goods” to

two pounds (2 lbs.)

2 kilograms

manufactured fireworks

one pound (1 lb.)

1 kilogram

Order in Council (No. 26) relating to Picric Acid, Picrates and Mixtures of Picric Acid with other Substances 18

Article 2(b)

Maximum quantity of picric acid not deemed to be an explosive

1 lb.

500 grams

Order in Council (No. 27) (The Explosives (Di-nitro-phenol and Di-nitro-phenolate) Order 1927)

Article 2(c)

Maximum quantity of di-nitro-phenol to which the Order does not apply

5 lb.

2 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 28) (The Sale of Explosives Order 1928)19

Article 3

Amount of explosive which must be exceeded in a certificate of a Chief Officer of Police

ten pounds

5 kilograms

Order in Council (No. 30) prohibiting the Manufacture, Importation, Keeping, Conveyance or Sale of Acetylene when an Explosive as defined by the Order20

First provision

Pressure above which acetylene is deemed to be an explosive

nine pounds to the square inch

620 millibars

Proviso (1)(a)

Maximum pressure of acetylene used in the production of organic compounds

{three hundred pounds per square inch

21 bars

{twenty-two pounds per square inch

1.5 bars

Proviso (1)(b)

Maximum pressure of acetylene in any other case

twenty-two pounds to the square inch

1.5 bars

Order of Secretary of State (No. 5), dated March 28 1898, relating to Compressed Acetylene in Admixture with Oil-Gas21

Maximum pressure at which acetylene in admixture with oil-gas is deemed not to be an explosive

one hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch

10 bars

Order of Secretary of State (No. 5A), dated September 29 1905, relating to Compressed Acetylene in Admixture with Oil-Gas22

Condition 4

Maximum pressure at which acetylene in admixture with oil-gas is deemed not to be an explosive

one hundred and fifty pounds per square inch

10 bars

Order of Secretary of State (No. 9), dated June 23 1919, relating to Compressed Acetylene contained in a Porous Substance23

Condition (6)

Maximum pressure in a cylinder of acetylene

two hundred and twenty-five pounds to the square inch

15.5 bars

Related temperature

sixty degrees Fahrenheit

15 degrees Celsius

Proviso to condition (6)

Volume of certain cylinders

one cubic foot

30 litres

Maximum pressure to which such cylinders may be charged

one hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch

10 bars

Related temperature

sixty degrees Fahrenheit

15 degrees Celsius

Condition (7)

Volume of certain cylinders

one cubic foot

30 litres

Maximum pressure allowed in such cylinders

two hundred and twenty-five pounds to the square inch

15.5 bars

Condition (11)

Volume of cylinders required to have certain markings

one cubic foot

30 litres

Order of Secretary of State (No. 11), dated September 20 1924), making Byelaws as to the Conveyance of Explosives on Roads and in certain special cases24

Byelaw 125

Amount below which explosive may be conveyed in a passenger-carrying carriage or boat

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Byelaw 2: paragraph (a) of the proviso

Minimum space between case and outer package of detonators

three inches

75 millimetres

Byelaw 2: paragraph (b) of the proviso

Minimum thickness of soft material for outer packages of electric detonators

half an inch

13 millimetres

Byelaw 4

Quantity of certain explosives above which byelaw applies

5 lbs.

2 kilograms

Byelaw 4; regulation (k)

Maximum quantity of explosive which may be carried with flammables etc.

50 lbs.

25 kilograms

Byelaw 4; regulation (l)

Quantity of explosive above which delay in conveyance is not allowed

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Byelaw 4: regulation (m)

Quantity of explosive above which precautions must be taken against the introduction of fire-producing objects etc.

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Byelaw 4 : regulation (n)

Quantity of explosive above which personnel must be acquainted with byelaws

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Byelaw 4: regulation (o)

Quantity of explosive which when exceeded during conveyance in towns and villages must be attended by a competent person

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

Quantity of explosive which when exceeded elsewhere must be attended by a competent person

1,000 lbs.

500 kilograms

Byelaw 4: regulation (p)

Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed in a carriage or boat with unprotected stowage

2,000 lbs.

1 tonne

Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed on a private railway in an enclosed carriage

16,000 lbs.26

8 tonnes

Maximum quantity of explosive to be conveyed in any one boat with a close deck

50,000 lbs.

25 tonnes

Maximum calibre of quick firing ammunition

3-inch

77 millimetres

Limit that may be exceeded by non-communicating explosives

2,000 lbs.

1 tonne

Maximum quantity of non-communicating explosives allowed in one carriage

10,000 lbs.

5 tonnes

Byelaw 4: regulation (q)

Minimum distance between carriages or boats containing explosive

50 yards

50 metres

The Control of Explosives Order 195327

Schedule

Quantity of gunpowder specified in licence and the endorsement thereon

pounds

kilograms

Quantity of safety-fuze specified in licence and the endorsement thereon

pounds

kilograms

The Keeping of Fireworks Order 1959

Article 3(2)

Quantity of fireworks kept in Mode B above which a closed metal container shall be used

one hundred pounds

50 kilograms

Maximum quantity of fireworks to be kept in any one container

one hundred pounds

50 kilograms

Schedule

Maximum quantity of “Shop Goods”—Mode A

2,000 lbs.

1,000 kilograms

Maximum quantity of explosive of Class 6 Division 1—Mode A

500 lbs.

250 kilograms

Maximum quantity of “Shop Goods”—Mode B

500 lbs.

250 kilograms

Maximum quantity of explosive of Class 6 Division 1—Mode B

500 lbs.

250 kilograms

Maximum quantity of explosives in room to which the public have access etc.

100 lbs.

50 kilograms

1 lb./pound

500 grams

2 lb./two pounds

1 kilogram

5 lb.

2 kilograms

15 lb(s).

7 kilograms

20 lb.

10 kilograms

25 lb.

12 kilograms

50 lb(s).

25 kilograms

60 lbs.

30 kilograms

100 lb.

50 kilograms

120 lb.

60 kilograms

200 lb(s).

100 kilograms

500 lbs.

250 kilograms

0.5 inch

13 millimetres

3 inches

75 millimetres