Explosives and fireworks sales and storage

Applying

Our online form should not be used for an application for a licence to store the following explosives:

• relevant explosives (an explosives certificate is required to acquire or keep the explosives)
• ammunition the acquisition of which is regulated or prohibited by virtue of the Firearms Acts 1968 to 1997
• smokeless powder or percussion caps
• explosives stored by a person who is registered as a firearms dealer under section 33 of the Firearms Act 1968

If you want to store the explosives listed above, you should use form ER2.

You should only use our form if you want to store no more than 2000kg of explosives. If you want to store more than 2000kg of explosives you should apply to the Health and Safety Executive for a licence.

Hazard type and quantity

We will need to know the hazard type and quantity of the explosives you wish to store to determine whether your store is suitable. The quantity you will be allowed to store will depend on the hazard type of the explosives. Please contact your supplier if you are uncertain about the hazard types of explosive you wish to store.

The quantity refers to the ‘net mass’ of the explosives. This means the weight of the explosive contained within an article i.e. less packaging, casings, etc

Previous convictions

Any previous convictions you may have may be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and you do not have to include convictions that are ‘spent’ on this application form.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act does not apply to corporate bodies or companies. Where the application relates to a corporate body or company, convictions of all directors should be listed.

The Health and Safety Executive provide guidance on how we consider the relevance of previous convictions to an application.

Separation distances

Regulation 27 of the Explosives Regulation 2014 provides information on separation distances. You will not normally be required to maintain separation distances if you store no more than:

• 250kg HT4
• 25kg HT3 (or combination of HT3 and HT4)
• 0.1kg HT1
• 0.1kg HT2

on one site.

If you are unsure whether your store or on places where you will be manufacturing or processing explosives on site are subject to separation distances, contact us on email [email protected] quoting your name and explosives reference number.

Evidence we need

The following documents should be submitted with the application form:

• a plan to a scale sufficient to show the location of the site in relation to its surroundings (i.e. named or numbered roads, hamlets, villages or geographical features). Where the site does not have a postal address this should normally be a minimum scale of 1:25000.
• if the store is subject to separation distances you will also need to provide an Ordnance Survey site plan (or similar) map showing the location of the store and distances to any neighbouring buildings. The plan should also show any areas where you intend to process or manufacture explosives where a licence for those activities is not required under regulation 6 of ER2014. The scale will depend on the separation distance. For a distance of up to 200 metres, a 1:1250 would normally be required while greater distance would require a 1:2500 or even a SuperPlan. Where this plan clearly identifies the location of the site in relation to its surroundings it can be substituted for the plan referred to in 6 above.
• if you intend to store or display more than 12.5kg of fireworks on a shop floor, the licensing authority will require you submit a floor plan of the sales area.
• if you intend to store, process or manufacture explosives within a building that is also used for other purposes you should include a floor plan showing the places within the building where you intend storing, processing or manufacturing the explosives.

Fee

The application fee must be paid with the application.

Renewal

If there have been no relevant changes to the site usage, layout or places where explosives are stored, or to the proximity of protected places to the stores since the licence was originally granted or last renewed, then it will not generally be necessary for a new plan to be submitted to your licensing authority.

Validity

Licences for fireworks and other explosives that do not require an explosive certificate may be granted for up to 5 years as the licensing authority determines.

Insurance

Most employers are required by law to insure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment. The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 ensures that you have at least a minimum level of insurance cover against any such claims. 

Public liability insurance is not required by health and safety law. However, if you are manufacturing or storing explosives (including fireworks) you may wish to take out public liability insurance. Many industry trade associations and professional bodies require this as a condition of membership. Professional display operators using category F4 fireworks, T2 theatrical pyrotechnics or P2 pyrotechnic articles are required by product safety law to have public liability insurance in place covering their use.

Further guidance

If you would like to provide further information, use the comments box at the end of the form or email [email protected] quoting your name and explosives reference number.