Explosive substances; application for a storage permit

Explosive substances can pose great dangers. For this reason, explosives legislation places high demands on storage, among other things.

The storage (safekeeping) of explosive substances generally requires a permit from the local trade supervisory office of the respective government. The question of whether a storage facility requires a permit essentially depends on the type and quantity of the substances.

Under certain circumstances, explosive substances may be stored without a storage permit under the so-called "small quantity regulation".

If the "small quantities" specified in the Second Ordinance to the Explosives Act (2nd SprengV) are exceeded, a permit is required for storage.

The individual safety requirements to be met by a storage facility are regulated in the Second Ordinance to the Explosives Act (2nd SprengV) and are also derived from the generally recognized safety regulations. These are in particular the explosives storage guidelines issued on the basis of the 2nd Explosives Ordinance, which have been published in the Federal Gazette.

The license will only be granted if the storage facility and its operation meet the requirements to be set for the location, the construction method and the equipment of the storage room.

• Application is made in writing to the competent authority with the relevant details for a storage permit (e.g. NEM max., storage group, explosive substances to be stored, etc.).
• Planning of a site visit
• Coordination and submission of the required documents (e.g. expert opinion, building description, type approval, fire protection statement, etc.)
• Involvement of other authorities: Obtaining opinions, usually from the district administrative authority and municipality
• Once all documents have been checked and the regulations have been complied with, the storage permit can be issued in accordance with §17 SprengG.

The costs vary depending on the storage quantity. A framework fee of between 200.00 and 10,000.00 euros may be charged for a storage permit in accordance with § 17 SprengG.

If the quantities to be stored exceed a storage capacity of 10 tons, an immission control permit is required in accordance with the Federal Immission Control Act. The immission control permit includes approval in accordance with explosives legislation.

In Bavaria, such facilities are approved and monitored by the district administrative authorities under immission control law.

• Type approval, if applicable

  (if available)

• Expert opinion, if necessary

  at the request of the authorities (with regard to fire protection, design, theft protection, protective distances, etc.)

• Site plan and general plan
• Building description, building plan

  Construction, theft protection, fire protection; alarm system, electrical equipment, type approval

• Recommendation: prior criminal police consultation

  anti-theft