Can detonators be stored in the same magazine with explosives?

Detonators should always be stored separately from explosives. This is a critical safety measure in the handling and storage of blasting materials. Keeping detonators and explosives apart helps to reduce the risk of accidental detonation. In the event of a fire or an unintended event occurring within the storage magazine, having these two types of materials separated minimizes the potential for a catastrophic incident.

The rationale behind this regulation stems from the varying sensitivities and handling requirements of detonators compared to explosives. Detonators can be more sensitive to shock, friction, and other mechanical influences, which could lead to an unintended initiation if they were stored alongside explosives. Therefore, industry standards and safety regulations mandate that they must be kept in separate magazines designed for their specific storage needs.

Maintaining this separation is not only a best practice but also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, including Kentucky. Storing them together, even if labeled or in protective cases, does not eliminate the inherent risks associated with such storage practices, which is why the chosen answer emphasizes separate storage as the only appropriate method.